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Senior Pastor Joseph Prince, born in 1963, is one of the founding members of New Creation Church.<ref name="About Joseph & Wendy Prince">{{cite web|title = Joseph & Wendy Prince|publisher = ''New Creation Church''|url = http://www.newcreation.org.sg/joseph_wendy_prince/abt_joseph_wendy_prince/abtjosephwendy.html|accessdate = 2007-06-09}}</ref> He was born to an Indian father and a Chinese mother. He spent his primary school years in Perak, Malaysia. He eventually came back to Singapore and followed an aunt to church. He was then a young man dabbling in Roman Catholicism and the occult but he said that 'supernatural experiences' opened his eyes to Christianity. He attended Commonwealth Secondary School in Singapore and went on to finish his 'A' levels at a Roman Catholic private school, Our Lady of Lourdes.
Senior Pastor Joseph Prince, born in 1963, is one of the founding members of New Creation Church.<ref name="About Joseph & Wendy Prince">{{cite web|title = Joseph & Wendy Prince|publisher = ''New Creation Church''|url = http://www.newcreation.org.sg/joseph_wendy_prince/abt_joseph_wendy_prince/abtjosephwendy.html|accessdate = 2007-06-09}}</ref> He was born to an Indian father and a Chinese mother. He spent his primary school years in Perak, Malaysia. He eventually came back to Singapore and followed an aunt to church. He was then a young man dabbling in Roman Catholicism and the occult but he said that 'supernatural experiences' opened his eyes to Christianity. He attended Commonwealth Secondary School in Singapore and went on to finish his 'A' levels at a Roman Catholic private school, Our Lady of Lourdes.


In 1984, Mr Prince, then president of a youth ministry in a traditional church, and a group of friends were asked to leave the church, which didn’t agree with their open displays of worship. They then left the church and started their own New Creation Church. Before he became a full-time pastor in the New Creation Church, he was working as an IT consultant. While working as a consultant, he changed his name to the current one, Joseph Prince. His real name was never revealed but the last name was Singh. He is married to Wendy Prince and they have a daughter, Jessica Shayna.
In 1984, Mr Prince, then president of a youth ministry in a traditional church, and a group of friends were asked to leave the church, which didn’t agree with their open displays of worship. They then left the church and started their own New Creation Church. Before he became a full-time pastor in the New Creation Church, he was working as an IT consultant. While working as a consultant, he changed his name to the current one, Joseph Prince. His real name was never revealed but the last name was Singh. He is married to Wendy Prince and they have a daughter, Jessica Shayna. They live in a classy condominium in a prime residential district and drive an expensive European car.<ref name="news1">{{cite news|url=http://admpreview.straitstimes.com:90/vgn-ext-templating/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2f0e3114209cc110VgnVCM100000430a0a0aRCRD&vgnextchannel=016fe84edfbf8110VgnVCM100000350a0a0aRCRD Church Pastors Like None Other - From stutter to charisma}}</ref><ref name="news2">{{cite news|url=http://www.tmc.org.my/documents/pjp.pdf Scanned copy of The Singapore Sunday Times 15th October 2008}}</ref>

He has a [[publishing house]], and releases books, CDs and DVDs, which are sold at the affiliated Rock Gifts & Books Centre, at secular bookshops such as the Times bookstores and the Harris/Popular bookstores in [[Singapore]], [[Barnes and Noble]] in the United States, as well as through [[Amazon.com]].<ref>{{cite web|title = Resources - Online Catalogue|publisher = ''Destined to Reign''|url = http://www.destined2reign.com/onlinestore|accessdate = 2009-05-31}}</ref> His latest book, ''Destined to Reign: The Secret to Effortless Success, Wholeness and Victorious Living'', released in Singapore on 15 July 2007, contains teachings from his last ten years of preaching.<ref>{{cite web|title = Now In: Books → Destined To Reign (Hardcover)|publisher = ''Joseph Prince Ministries''|url = http://www.destined2reign.com/onlinestore/pc-1276-5-destined-to-reign-hardcover.aspx|accessdate = 2007-08-17}}</ref> The same book was released in the US in October 2007 by Christian publisher, Harrison House. Six months after its distribution in the US, it was listed on Christian Retailing Top 100 Books.<ref name="CHRISTIAN RETAILING TOP 100 BOOKS">{{cite web|title = CHRISTIAN RETAILING TOP 100 BOOKS|publisher = ''Strang Communications''|url = http://mokumoku.5gighost.com/articles/Christian%20Retailing%20Top%20100%20Books.pdf|accessdate = 2008-06-19}}</ref>
He has a [[publishing house]], and releases books, CDs and DVDs, which are sold at the affiliated Rock Gifts & Books Centre, at secular bookshops such as the Times bookstores and the Harris/Popular bookstores in [[Singapore]], [[Barnes and Noble]] in the United States, as well as through [[Amazon.com]].<ref>{{cite web|title = Resources - Online Catalogue|publisher = ''Destined to Reign''|url = http://www.destined2reign.com/onlinestore|accessdate = 2009-05-31}}</ref> His latest book, ''Destined to Reign: The Secret to Effortless Success, Wholeness and Victorious Living'', released in Singapore on 15 July 2007, contains teachings from his last ten years of preaching.<ref>{{cite web|title = Now In: Books → Destined To Reign (Hardcover)|publisher = ''Joseph Prince Ministries''|url = http://www.destined2reign.com/onlinestore/pc-1276-5-destined-to-reign-hardcover.aspx|accessdate = 2007-08-17}}</ref> The same book was released in the US in October 2007 by Christian publisher, Harrison House. Six months after its distribution in the US, it was listed on Christian Retailing Top 100 Books.<ref name="CHRISTIAN RETAILING TOP 100 BOOKS">{{cite web|title = CHRISTIAN RETAILING TOP 100 BOOKS|publisher = ''Strang Communications''|url = http://mokumoku.5gighost.com/articles/Christian%20Retailing%20Top%20100%20Books.pdf|accessdate = 2008-06-19}}</ref>

Revision as of 04:24, 11 June 2010

New Creation Church
CountrySingapore
DenominationCharismatic
Websitenewcreation.org.sg
josephprince.org
Clergy
Senior pastor(s)Pastor Joseph Prince
File:New Creation Church Logo.jpg

New Creation Church is a megachurch in Singapore. It was founded in 1984 and has a membership of 22,000 as of February 2010.[1] While it is charismatic in practice, it considers itself non-denominational and is not affiliated to any church overseas. It is a member of the National Council of Churches of Singapore. The official mission statement of the church is "to see Jesus in all the loveliness of His Person and the perfection of His work and to make Him known through the preaching of the gospel".[2]

Outreach

According to the church's website, it has been involved in missions throughout the Asian region, and has sent pastors and leaders to countries such as Russia, China, India, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei and Malaysia.[3] 10% of the church's budget (US$4 million a year) is set aside for missionary work[4]

The church services are broadcast in countries including Israel, the United States, the United Kingdom, South Africa and Australia on various cable television and satellite networks such as USA Network, ABC Family Channel, CNBC Europe, Middle East Television, Trinity Broadcast Network, Daystar Television Network, GOD TV, United Christian Broadcasters and Australian Christian Channel.[5]

The Straits Times reported that the church has given SGD581,500 to community groups and charities from April 2007 to March 2008.[6]

Place of worship

The congregation currently worships in the Rock Auditorium in the Suntec City Mall. A new building, called the "Civic, Cultural and Retail Complex (CCRC)" is being planned by Rock Productions, the business arm of the church,[1] together with CapitaLand in Buona Vista. The church will rent space owned by its subsidiary, Rock Productions, in the complex for Sunday services.[7] The building is envisioned as a "futuristic complex with restaurants, shops and a 5,000-seat theatre", and will cost nearly SGD1 billion.[1] As of May 2009, the church has raised approximately one third its SGD500 million share of the new building's cost.[1]

Clarifications on Tithe and Offerings

On 15 April 2009, Matthew Kang, the Honorary Secretary of the New Creation Church, posted a reply to The Straits Times on the church's website stating that the New Creation Church was not a public charity and did not solicit public donations. He asserted that "there is absolutely no compulsion to give whether in tithes or offerings, and any giving is done out of a willing heart", and that "every giver is appreciated and it is taken in good faith that he believes in the elected leadership and will trust them to make good decisions for the particular church he has chosen to attend, whether as a member or a visitor."[8]

Joseph Prince

Senior Pastor Joseph Prince, born in 1963, is one of the founding members of New Creation Church.[9] He was born to an Indian father and a Chinese mother. He spent his primary school years in Perak, Malaysia. He eventually came back to Singapore and followed an aunt to church. He was then a young man dabbling in Roman Catholicism and the occult but he said that 'supernatural experiences' opened his eyes to Christianity. He attended Commonwealth Secondary School in Singapore and went on to finish his 'A' levels at a Roman Catholic private school, Our Lady of Lourdes.

In 1984, Mr Prince, then president of a youth ministry in a traditional church, and a group of friends were asked to leave the church, which didn’t agree with their open displays of worship. They then left the church and started their own New Creation Church. Before he became a full-time pastor in the New Creation Church, he was working as an IT consultant. While working as a consultant, he changed his name to the current one, Joseph Prince. His real name was never revealed but the last name was Singh. He is married to Wendy Prince and they have a daughter, Jessica Shayna. They live in a classy condominium in a prime residential district and drive an expensive European car.[10][11]

He has a publishing house, and releases books, CDs and DVDs, which are sold at the affiliated Rock Gifts & Books Centre, at secular bookshops such as the Times bookstores and the Harris/Popular bookstores in Singapore, Barnes and Noble in the United States, as well as through Amazon.com.[12] His latest book, Destined to Reign: The Secret to Effortless Success, Wholeness and Victorious Living, released in Singapore on 15 July 2007, contains teachings from his last ten years of preaching.[13] The same book was released in the US in October 2007 by Christian publisher, Harrison House. Six months after its distribution in the US, it was listed on Christian Retailing Top 100 Books.[14]

In 2006, Prince was invited to speak at the Grace & Favour Seminar, at Hillsong Church[15] in Sydney and also to Hillsong London[16] to preach at its three Sunday services. In 2007 and 2008 he was invited to speak at the Hillsong Conference in Sydney held in July and the Hillsong Europe Conference in London held in October. He has also been invited to preach at churches in countries such as Canada, Norway, Netherlands, South Africa and Indonesia.[17] Video clips of his preaching sessions are available on the Youtube website.[18]

Salary

In 2004, Joseph Prince made a request to New Creation Church to stop paying him with the salary. However, his council members did not accept his request.[19] [20]

On 5 October 2008, in an interview with the Sunday Times, Joseph Prince, the executive chairman of the church council, acknowledged that he was "well-paid" but also added that "money doesn't have a hold on me". He dismissed allegations that his salary was $50,000 a month, saying "It could have been $50,000 if I had not voluntarily taken all the pay cuts through the years. There was a system of payment that would actually enrich me greatly but as the church grew, I refuse to accept that system of payment."[10][11]

On 30 March 2009, The Straits Times reported that a check revealed that New Creation Church paid one employee between $500,001 and $550,000 in its last financial year of 2008. Due to the recommendations of the Code of Governance for charities then,[21] all charities and non-profit organizations in Singapore are encouraged to disclose the salary bands of their top executives to the Commissioner of Charities. The church did not confirm if the amount in question was paid to Joseph Prince, but it told The Straits Times that its policy is to "recognise and reward key contributors to the church and Senior Pastor Prince is the main pillar of our church's growth and revenue."[22][23][24] The New Creation Church's income was reported to be S$55.4million for the financial year ended March 2008.[25]

On 15 April 2009, Matthew Kang, the Honorary Secretary of the New Creation Church, posted a reply to The Straits Times on the church's website stating that the New Creation Church was not a public charity and did not solicit public donations. Kang asserted that "there is absolutely no compulsion to give whether in tithes or offerings, and any giving is done out of a willing heart", and that "every giver is appreciated and it is taken in good faith that he believes in the elected leadership and will trust them to make good decisions for the particular church he has chosen to attend, whether as a member or a visitor."[26]

On 7 June 2010, The Straits Times and Channel New Asia reported that Joseph Prince is no longer in church payroll since 2009. [27][28]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Church collects $19m in one day for lifestyle hub". The Straits Times. May 19, 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-19. {{cite news}}: |first= missing |last= (help)
  2. ^ http://www.newcreation.org.sg/aboutus/mission_corevalues/mission_statement_corevalues.htm
  3. ^ "Ministries - Global Outreach - Missions". New Creation Church. Retrieved 2009-06-09. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  4. ^ Thomas, George! (January 01 2008). "Singapore takes on a world mission". CBN news. Retrieved 2009-05-19. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ http://www.josephprince.org/broadcast/schedule/broadcastschedule.htm
  6. ^ "Church raises $178m for lifestyle hub". The Straits Times. Retrieved 2008-09-21. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  7. ^ Kang, Matthew (March 27, 2009). "Proposed mega mall not a church building". Asia One. Retrieved 2009-05-19.
  8. ^ Reply To The Straits Times Forum Online (Business And Religion: Where Do You Draw The Line?)
  9. ^ "Joseph & Wendy Prince". New Creation Church. Retrieved 2007-06-09. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  10. ^ a b Church Pastors Like None Other - From stutter to charisma http://admpreview.straitstimes.com:90/vgn-ext-templating/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2f0e3114209cc110VgnVCM100000430a0a0aRCRD&vgnextchannel=016fe84edfbf8110VgnVCM100000350a0a0aRCRD Church Pastors Like None Other - From stutter to charisma. {{cite news}}: Check |url= value (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  11. ^ a b Scanned copy of The Singapore Sunday Times 15th October 2008 http://www.tmc.org.my/documents/pjp.pdf Scanned copy of The Singapore Sunday Times 15th October 2008. {{cite news}}: Check |url= value (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  12. ^ "Resources - Online Catalogue". Destined to Reign. Retrieved 2009-05-31. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  13. ^ "Now In: Books → Destined To Reign (Hardcover)". Joseph Prince Ministries. Retrieved 2007-08-17. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  14. ^ "CHRISTIAN RETAILING TOP 100 BOOKS" (PDF). Strang Communications. Retrieved 2008-06-19. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  15. ^ "Joseph Prince at Hillsong Conference 2007 Sydney, Australia". Hillsong Church. Retrieved 2007-07-05. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  16. ^ "Special Guests". Hillsong Church London (Hillsong London). Retrieved 2007-05-17. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  17. ^ http://www.newcreation.org.sg/joseph_wendy_prince/speaking_engagement/past_events2008.html
  18. ^ http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=JosephPrinceMedia&view=videos&sort=d
  19. ^ "New Creation Church talks about its affiliated companies". Retrieved 2010-06-07.
  20. ^ "New Creation explains". Retrieved 2010-06-07.
  21. ^ http://bschool.nus.edu.sg/Portals/0/images/CGFRC/docs/Code-20of-20Governance-20for-20Charites-.pdf. Retrieved 2009-06-09. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  22. ^ "Church Leader gets $500K".
  23. ^ $500,000 pay for New Creation Church leader
  24. ^ Singapore church pays princely sum to leader
  25. ^ http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/BgSty_277387_1.html Church's Income was SGD55.4million for year ending March 2008
  26. ^ Reply To The Straits Times Forum Online (Business And Religion: Where Do You Draw The Line?)
  27. ^ "New Creation Church talks about its affiliated companies". Retrieved 2010-06-07.
  28. ^ "New Creation explains". Retrieved 2010-06-07.
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