By Kenneth Miller|Publisher South Bay Black Journal
Five years ago, New York Church of Christ thought it installed a young preacher for a 5 year term but did not reconfirm him after one year when it was determined he did not meet the qualifications. However, Chung Eun Han neglected the board decision and refused to leave. He is accused of stealing $320,000 from the 48 year old Corona, New York church which is embroiled in a court battle which threatens leadership of the church.
By Kenneth Miller, Publisher South Bay Black Journal
CORONA, NEW YORK–-It’s a lovely summer’s day at the break of fall as the bright sun pierces through light clouds splashing off the shiny forehead of Elder Chin Kon Kim, the founder and leader of New York Church of Christ in Corona.
Elder Kim has arrived early for the 11a.m. worship and as the gates sprung wide open to this sprawling red bricked sanctuary.
A half dozen or more commercial vehicles sit idle in parking lot stalls as Elder Kim take pictures of the license plates on the trucks.
“All of these cars are parked here illegally and he has collected money for them to park here for five years,” he bemoans.
The person that he is referencing is Chung Eun Han, who in 2018 the church hired to serve as a preacher and signed him to a 5-year contract with a provision that he would be evaluated after one year, but church trustees decided not to reconfirmed Han.
New York Church of Christ is a 501c3 organization for which bylaws are self-imposed rules, resulting from an agreement or contract between the corporation and its members to conduct the corporate business accordingly.
For more than 48 years the church has been governed by these rules, until Han upended the board by establishing an unauthorized and fake governing board that did not consist of members of the church which is threatening its current leadership.
Han had been provided housing as a condition of his contract which included the use of a 5-bedroom on the property where he still maintains residence. The church contends Han no right to the premises but in accordance with New York State Law any individual can claim residence if they had received mail or occupied space for 30 days. New York Church of Christ must therefore serve eviction notice.
Han, his wife and child continue living on the property without paying rent to the church, also casting fear among the spattering of church members who remain.
However, a court order is preventing the church from serving such notice.
In a letter dated September 22, 2024 on the church’s letterhead provided to its attorneys, the elders pleaded to New York Supreme Court Judge Nicole McGregor Mundy to “Please have mercy on us in the name of Jesus Christ Our Lord.”
Kim and the church elders are pleading the judge to allow for Trustee Election that will give the church to authority to conduct its business as governed by its bylaws.
There is a sense of urgency in their request because three elders, ages 88,83 and 70 are all dying. The further contend that Han was fired, is no longer a preacher or even a member of the church.
Han has seized control of the property by altering the locks and only allows for them to enter the property on Sunday.
Moreover, the church accuses Han of pocketing another $200,000 by selling parking stalls to various businesses on the church grounds.
“We want our sacred place of worship back,” Kim pleaded.
On October 13, when I visited the church there were 16 members in attendance for a two hour service where Elder Kim preached about caring for your neighbor. The sermon concluded with a rally song of “I Love You Lord,” which was serenaded in Korean language.
After service the churchgoers all gathered for a feast in the kitchen downstairs, where various dishes covered the table, rice, soups, cornbread, fruits and noodles.
They held hands in prayer before fellowship, but the massive cloud of uncertainty would remain after supper.
There is still pending court litigation where the church challenges Han and his powerful legal team which he assembled with money he allegedly stole from the church bank account.
Elder Kim has confessed that he is out of money, all left is the coveted $25 million church property. He says that he has spent upwards of $400,000 in this ongoing legal battle, that was initiated by Han.
He referenced passages of the scripture Psalm 97: “Clouds and darkness are round about him; righteousness and judgment are habitation of his throne.”
The elders and its members have written letters to New York Mayor Eric Adams and Chief of Police Jeffrey B. Maddrey accusing Han of straining taxpayer resources summoning the police to the church for his own ill gain.
On one occasion Han has brandished a card with the official New York Police Department seal to infer that he was acting on behalf of the police department.
This is a saga has enraged the members of the church and community stakeholders as well.
Kim is soliciting support from New York clergy, community organizations and public officials in with hopes this nightmare could come to an end.
However, without quick intervention their remains the possibility is that Han will continue to steal from the church and destroy the treasured landmark.
