History of UECF

Prologue:

“ And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing “ - Genesis 12:2

God has brought us this far! A fellowship that was started by a few families ten years ago has now grown into a well-known Christian fellowship all over the world! It has been a great blessing for me to serve Him through this fellowship in the capacity of President for half a decade. I thank and praise God for using me as an instrument in the growth of this fellowship. I am honored to present the history of United Evangelical Christian Fellowship as it reached a significant milestone.

1. The Motivation:

In January 1997, a small group of people felt the need for an inter-denominational fellowship that would fulfill the spiritual needs of the lay Christians in the Central New Jersey region. This fellowship would conduct the Sunday worship services without language barriers and maintain the traditions of Indian sub-continent. The intention was to serve the local community and also to bring all the people closer to help the outreach ministries serving the South Asian region.

2. Initiation:

The initial group consisting of the families of Mr. Alfred Bhaskar, Mr Vijay Pulipati, Mr. Rajanikantha Rao, Mr. Ebenezer Mallepalle and Mr. Michael Rose put their burden in prayer for few months. They believed that it was God’s will to start a fellowship and they sought the support of Rev. Dr. David Ravinder to serve as an honorary Sr. Pastor and provide the spiritual leadership. With the help of Pastor David Ravinder, the place for Sunday worship service was obtained.

Thus, UECF started its first Sunday service on the 6th April 1997 at the sanctuary of the Community United Methodist Church, located at 301, Chestnut Street, Roselle Park, New Jersey 07204.

3. Incorporation:

An application was submitted in April 1997 to the Dept. of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for Employer status. The IRS sanctioned the application in August 1997 and approved the name United Evangelical Christian Fellowship.

After getting the EIN, an application was filed in September 1997 for New Jersey state recognition and certification of Incorporation as a Nonprofit Organization under federal IRS Code Section 501 (c) (3).

4. Church Location

In the last ten years, UECF has conducted Sunday worship services in three different churches. For the first three years, the worship services were conducted in Community United Methodist Church, Roselle Park. During the fourth year, UECF relocated to the New Beginnings Church of the Nazarene located at 80 Jefferson Blvd, Edison.

However, at the end of the year 2002 there was a need to look out for a new church facility. The Board of trustees met just few days before Christmas and prayerfully decided that New Dover United Methodist Church (NDUMC) in Edison would be a strategic location for the growth of UECF congregation. Pastor Ravinder and the UECF elders had discussions with Pastor Bob Costello of NDUMC and their Board of trustees on 26th of January 2003 and agreed upon the lease terms.

Thus UECF started worshipping in the sanctuary of New Dover United Methodist Church in Edison from the first Sunday of March 2003.

5. Honorary Pastors:

UECF does not have a regular pastor; however, has an unique arrangement with a team of honorary pastors who bring the word of God on the scheduled Sundays. Rev. Dr. David Ravinder has been serving as the Senior Honorary Pastor ever since the inception. He takes charge of the fourth Sunday, which is designated as Communion Sunday. Rev. Praveen Bunyan served as the first UECF Associate Pastor preaching regularly on three Sundays a week.

Later, Rev. Praveen Bunyan left the UECF and Rev. Sunil Balasundaram who at that time was pursuing doctoral studies in a seminary filled the vacancy. Pastor Balasundaram ministered to UECF as an honorary pastor for four and a half years.

During the fourth year, Rev. Stephen Nash joined as one of the Honorary Pastors and served for almost 5 years. Rev. David Davis came on board as a guest preacher in June 2003 and is presently serving as an honorary Pastor.

In the course of time, the UECF felt the need for a dedicated regular pastor who would nurture and help in the growth of the congregation as a church. A search Committee was formed to examine alternatives and opined that this may not be feasible, considering the UECF financial situation.

6. Elected Leaders:

The first General Body meeting was held on June 4, 1997 for which all the local Christians were invited. In this meeting, a draft Constitution and by-laws prepared by

Mr. Alfred Bhaskar was presented and was approved. The first team of leaders who were elected in this General Body meeting included: President: Mr. Alfred Bhaskar, Secretary: Mr. Rajani Kantha Rao, Treasurer: Mr. Ebenezer Mallepalle, Board of Trustees Members: Mr. Ajit Lakra, Mr.Michael Rose, Mrs. Udaya Pulipati and Mr. Joel Dadepogu. Rev. Dr. David Ravinder was nominated by the general body to be the Honorary Sr. Pastor & Spiritual Advisor.

Mr. Kanthi Paul Rapaka served as Secretary for a brief period when the position was vacant due to a resignation. In the second annual General Body meeting held in August 1999, Mr. Manohar Mudy was elected to the Board of Trustees and Mr. Moses Peram was elected as Vice President.

The third General Body meeting was held in September 2000, and new office bearers were elected as - President: Mr. Ebenezer Mallepalle. Vice president: Mr. Ajay Damarapu, Secretary: Mr. Vijay Pulipati and Treasurer: Mr. Simon Bushi. Members of Board of Trustees: Mr. Ajit Lakra; Mrs. Udaya Pulipati; Mrs. Sujatha Mallepalle; Mr. Carol Daniel. The elected Coordinators included: Music: Mr. Sushil Bhujbhal, Missions & Women’s Fellowship: Mrs. Sujatha Mallepalle, Bible Study: Mrs. Udaya Pulipati, Youth Fellowship: Johnsanjay Bhaskar, Young Couples Group: Mrs. Anna Bhujbhal, Sunday School: Mrs. Suneela Damarapu.

During the same year, the President resigned and the Board asked Vice President to take charge. In the General Body meeting held in September 2001, Mr. Ajay Damarapu was elected as President and Mr. Syam Pilli was elected as the new Vice President.

In the General Body meeting held on 23rd June 2002, Mr. Ajay Damarapu announced his resignation. The UECF Board of Trustees met on 27th October 2002 and requested the Vice-President Mr. Syam Pilli to resume the responsibilities of the President.

During the year 2003, the Constitution By-Laws were amended to include Pastorate Committee in addition to the Board of Trustees.

After the tenure of the existing leadership ended, the new leaders were elected for a 3-year term in the General Body meeting held on 22nd February 2004. The following members were unanimously elected: Mr. Syam Pilli (President), Mr. Clement Myla (Vice-president), Mr. Simon Bushi (Secretary) and Mr. Ravindra Saripalli (Treasurer). The elected Board of Trustees are: Mr. Rajanikantha Rao, Mr. Ajit Lakra (Missions/Outreach), Mr. Vinod Nakka, Mr. Paul Moodey, Mr. Sarath Kapudasi; and the Pastorate Committee are: Mr. Phani Pilli, Mr. Alfred Myla, Mr. Sushil Bhujbal, Mr. Chittaranjan Lam. The Coordinators included: Mr. Louis Dundi (Sunday School), Mrs. Susan Bushi (Bible Study), Mr. Sushil Bhujbal (Music), Mr.Thomas Kalyanapu (Stewardship), Mrs. Padma Borugadda (Women’s Fellowship) and Mr. Kanthi Paul Rapaka (Married Couples). The new leaders were installed on 7th March 2004.

Apr 1997 – Sep 2000 Mr. Alfred Bhaskar

Sep 2000 – Sep 2001 Mr. Ebenezer Mallepalle

Sep 2001 – Oct 2002 Mr. Ajay Damarapu

Oct 2002 – Feb 2004 Mr.Syam Pilli (Acting President)

Feb 2004 – Feb 2007 Mr. Syam Pilli

Feb 2007 – Present Mr. Joshua (Phani) Pilli

President’s tenure Table

The present team of leaders was elected in the General Body meeting held on 25th

February 2007. The elected executive leaders included: Mr. Joshua(Phani) Pilli (President),

Mr. Clement Myla (Vice President), Mr. Vinod Nakka (Secretary) and Mr. Chittaranjan Lam (Treasurer).

Members of the Board of Trustees are: Mr. Alfred Bhaskar, Mr. Louis Dundi, Mrs. Udaya Pulipati, Mr. Sunil Robert and Mr. Junia Moses. Pastorate Committee Members are: Mr. Alfred Myla, and Mr. Ravi Rapaka and Mr. Vijay Pulipati and Mr. Manohar Pitta.

7. Guest Preachers:

In addition to the honorary pastors, many servants of God have graced UECF with the powerful Word. The following prominent Indian speakers inspired with the powerful messages: Rev. Dr. M. S. Santhavardhan, Rev. Dr. A. B. Joseph Kishore, Rev. Dr. P. Joshi, Rev. Dr. B. C. Paul, Rev. Dr. Yesupadam Bandela, Rev. Dr. Daniel Kalayanapu, Bro. Harry Gomes and Rev. Manoj Bhatt.

The following local Indian pastors also helped in preaching the Word: Rev. Milind Sojwal, Rev. Joseph Thomas, Rev. Solomon Tiwade, Rev. Dr. Charles Mark, Rev. John Bhajjan, Rev. Prince Singh, Rev. Dr. Daniel Jeyaraj, Rev. Arul Mohan, Rev. Dr. Charles Shaheen, Rev. Christopher Salina, Rev. Ananth Kumar, Rev. Santosh Thadigiri, Rev. Christudoss Theodre, Rev. Navin Satyavrata, Rev. Ashish Bhatnagar and Rev. Eli Miranda.

Rev. Anna Bhujbal ministered to UECF mainly on fifth Sundays and also on all possible occasions. The host church pastors Rev. Tom Sanders, Rev. Bob Costello and Rev. Darryl Duer also served as guest preachers.

Other servants of God from India who brought powerful messages included: Rev. Azaraiah Korabandi, Rev. Sam Saripalli, Rev. Devasahayam Dandala, Dr. Gurunatham Moodey, Rev. John Paul Reddypogu, Rev. Dr. N. Krupa Rao, Rev. Dr. K. Jayawanth Samuel, Rev. Syam Babu, Rev. Sali, Dr. Oomen A. Koshy, Rev. Chandrakanth Bhujbal, Rev. K R Stanley, Bishop Stanley Jones, Rev. Syam Raj Saladi, Dr. Jacob Prabhu, Rev. Vasanth Peter, Rev. Nelson Vantabathina, Bro. Kumar Das Villuri, Dr. Philip Nittala, Rev. Solomon Raju Kunchanapalli and Bro. Suresh Kumar Gundala.

The Indian Christians in the USA such as Bro.Rajan Matthews, Bro.Kris Samudrala, Dr. S. Samraj, Rev. John Stephen, Bro. John Madhukar Bushi, Rev. Vidyasagar Dadepogu, and Rev. Ashish Pushkaran served as guest speakers. Also, Rev. Richard Bailey a Missionary from Pakistan, Rev. Rafael Flores & Pastor John Carricks, Missionaries from Paraguay, Mr. Billy & Mrs. Joanna Coppedge, Missionaries to Uganda shared the Word and their testimony.

UECF was blessed to have special music concerts by the popular Gospel Singers from India such as Dr. John Bilmoria, Dr. Bhanu Murthy, Bro. Madhu Jesse & Sis. Veena, Bro. William Carey, Bro. Vinod and Mrs. Mahitha Charles Pilli.

8. Sunday Worship Services:

UECF worship services start at 5:30 PM every Sunday. The order of Service is in English. The typical Sunday service includes Praise & worship, sharing the joys and concerns, intercessory prayers and a Message.

Singing in regional languages: Praising the Lord with songs and hymns has always been the important part of UECF Sunday Worship Service. Praise songs have been sung in

English and also in different regional languages such as Telugu and Hindi. In addition to the standard instruments like Organ and Piano, many Indian musical instruments such as Harmonium, Tabla and Congo drums were used to bring out special music.

Mr. Sushil Bhujbal, Mr. Samuel Sudhakar Chilaka, Mr. Simon Bushi, Dr. Gurunadham Moodey, Mr. Carol Daniel Jokmels, Mr. Josaiah Srigiri, Mr. Junia Moses, Mr. Sunil Robert, Mr. Spurgeon Perikala, James & Jacob brothers, Mr. Peter Kollory, Mr. Thomas Kalyanapu, Mrs. Sinai Dadepogu, Ms. Yuko and Mrs. Emily Sensen Gopal provided commendable services towards the music ministry.

Intercessory Prayers: The intercessory prayer time has been a great opportunity for the congregation to instantaneously share their joys, concerns and needs of the family and friends.

Communion Sunday: Holy Communion has been administered on the fourth Sunday of every month. 9. Sunday School: Sunday School has been conducted regularly during the Service to both beginners and other age groups (up to 12 years). Sunday School teachers have been following a yearly curriculum in nurturing children with the Word of God. Kids of different age groups exhibited their talents on all possible special occasions. The children enthusiastically participated in the activities such as Sunday school retreats, dramas, skits and group dances. Sunday School children also had the opportunity to visit the orphanages and share their love.

Mr. Louis Dundi and the other Sunday School staff have been dedicated to their work in training the children according to Proverbs 22:6 which reminds “Train up the child in the way he should go, when he is old he will not depart from it”. 10. Bible Study:

Group Bible study has been conducted on the second Friday of every month from 8:00 to 9:30 PM. Initially, members used to gather at their homes for group Bible Studies. Later, started gathering at Church premises, as this location is more convenient. Laypersons had a wonderful opportunity to lead the study on all the Books of Old Testament and New Testament. The Bible studies were also based on the pre-selected topics from the New Testament.

The group Bible studies have been a blessing to many and helped to have in depth understanding of the scriptures. The Bible study coordinators, Mr. Joshua Dadepogu, Mrs. Udaya Pulipati, Mrs. Susan Bushi along with other lay leaders helped in coordinating and conducting Bible study programs. 11. Home Prayer meetings:

Lenten Cottage Prayer meetings: Lenten Cottage prayer meetings were held on Fridays for six weeks during the Lent season. Congregation members always volunteered to open their homes to have Lenten cottage prayer meetings. Honorary pastors, guest preachers and laypeople have lead the lent meditation. Some of the members fast during the lent meditation time and generally these meetings were ended with fellowship meal. Also, members expressed their love by contributing the canned food to the Community food banks during this season.

Praying for the sick: UECF congregation, as one body shared not only the joys and also sorrows of the other members. Families fasted and held prayer meetings whenever someone in the congregation is sick or going for a surgery.

12. Christmas Caroling

It has been a great joy for the congregation to participate in Carol rounds during the Christmas season. Every year, UECF Christmas caroling starts in the first week of December. In the year 2002, with a special initiative, the Carolers visited 36 houses. All the families have graciously welcomed the Carolers and cheerfully offered their contributions. This good start has continued in the following years. God has been faithful in guiding the carolers in the snowy season and protecting them from the chilly winter winds.

Christmas caroling has been a wonderful opportunity both for the adults and kids to actively participate and enjoy the season.

13. Special Festivals & Celebrations

Christmas: UECF has been celebrating Christmas every year on 25th

December with gladness and joy. The Christmas gatherings were increasing progressively. Last Christmas (2006) was celebrated in a grand manner. Many families and friends not only from USA but also from Canada and India joined the UECF Worship Service. This was the largest gathering UECF ever had for Christmas, having 250 people in attendance

Christmas celebrations included Holy Communion, spirit filled messages, special music, children’s special programs and end with Christmas lunch.

Watch Night Service: In the year 2002, the Pilli families took the initiative to celebrate UECF Watch Night service. 77 people including children gathered at United Methodist Church, Union on 31st night of 2002 to welcome the New Year in God’s presence. The practice continued and it has been a blessing to start every New Year with prayer and Holy Communion.

International Family Church of New Jersey (IFCNJ) congregation joined UECF for celebrating Watch Night Service in the year 2003. The Pastor of IFCNJ, Rev. Ashish Bhatnagar delivered the New Year message. It was a wonderful experience to UECF congregation to celebrate the New Year along with multi ethnic groups.

Watch Night service programs included testimony time, candle lighting, special music and a New Year message. God’s Promise Cards, Bible reading Planners and New Year calendars were distributed during Watch Night service every year.

Easter Sunrise Service:

It has been a practice for the UECF to join Pastor Ravinder’s United Methodist church congregation every year for Easter Sunrise service. This facilitated UECF an opportunity to participate and rejoice in the combined Easter Sunrise Service at the United Methodist Church at Berkeley Heights and also at Community United Methodist Church Roselle Park.

Thanksgiving:

UECF Thanksgiving celebrations were held on the Sundays before the fourth Thursday of November every year. All the local groups were invited for Thanksgiving service in the year 2002. Apart from UECF choir, Telugu Christian Fellowship Choir and Hosanna Singers also presented special music. This trend continued as the years progressed.

The congregation donated items for auction. The proceedings of the thanksgiving auctions were designated for a special cause every year.

Children’s Christmas:

Children had the special opportunity to celebrate Christmas in which they had shown their talents.

Mothers Day:

In the year 2003, the ongoing Mother’s day celebrations were expanded and started in a grand manner. It was a spectacular event to see 19 mothers being honored by their sons and daughters. This trend continued in the following years. Generally, the UECF men folk prepare a delicious meal in honor of the mothers.

Fathers Day:

In the recent past, Fathers Day was also celebrated by honoring the Dads .

Other special programs include Advent Candle lighting, Covenant Sunday, Palm Sunday, Service of Carols & Lessons and special programs by Covenant Players.

In the past, UECF joined the similar congregations and participated in Good Friday Meditation service, Christian Family conference, NAAIC Annual Banquet and NJIC tenth Anniversary Service. UECF also participated in the combined Passion service along with TCF.

As per the growing needs, UECF started the Good Friday meditation Service this year.

14. Special meetings

Revival meetings:

A two-day Revival meeting was held in the year 1998 marking the first Anniversary of UECF. Mr. Ebenezer Mallepalle took the initiative in arranging Dr. Akbar Haq as the guest speaker for these revival meetings. The local churches and UTCF, New York participated in the meetings.

During the year 2002, UECF supported and participated in the Revival meetings hosted by the Church of the Nazarene. Rev. Dr. Joshua Daniel was the speaker.

3-Day Revival meetings were held from 28th October to 30th October 2005. Rev. Naveen Balakrishnan, a faithful servant of God, delivered a series of powerful messages. This series included the inspiring topics such as Salvation, Supplication, Sanctification, Scripture and Sharing. Many of the fellow Christians from neighboring areas attended the meetings and were spiritually benefited by the messages. The Revival meetings left such an impact on those who attended that some of them started reading the Bible regularly 4 chapters-a-day as suggested by Rev. Naveen Balakrishnan.

Gospel meetings:

In the first week of June 2006, The Pilli families took initiative to host 3-day special gospel meetings by Bro. Anil Kumar. During these meetings, the sanctuary was packed with a large gathering of over 250 people. Crowds were drawn from not only New Jersey but also from the neighboring states. These meetings left enduring impressions in the minds of those attended helped in leading few people to the Lord.

15. Married Couples meetings

The Married Couples meeting usually held on the 4th Saturday of every month in various homes that are pre-decided. Couples discussed and debated on various topics that are very practical and tried to use the Bible as a guiding tool. Rev. Dr. David Ravinder & Mrs. Sarita Ravinder actively lead this ministry. A coordinator takes care of these meetings in inviting and making potluck dinner arrangements. The Young Couples Group also enacted a lent season passion Play on a Palm Sunday, which received well appreciation.

16. Missions & Outreach Support

For the last several years, UECF helped and supported the poor and needy through numerous ministries in India such as Good News Messengers, Guntur; New Life Associates, Hyderabad; Emmaus Ministries, Hyderabad; Golden Harvest Ministries, Visakhapatnam; Savior’s Heartbeat Ministries, Vijayawada; Shalom Christian Ministries, Zaheerabad; Carmel Prayer Tower, Coimbatore; Hebron Pentecostal Church, Rajahmundry; Kids Club, Khammam; Project Christ International (PCI); Lutheran churches and organizations in Andhra Pradesh and Jarkhand. UECF also supported the Hunger and Humanitarian work in Sudan through UMCOR, supported rehabilitation work and orphaned Children through RZIM’s Wellspring ministry and Red Cross.

UECF also involved in supporting Rev. Stephen Nash’s mission trip to India and the other missionaries in India, Paraguay and Uganda.

Helped the victims of natural calamities: The end of the year 2004 witnessed a most tragic disaster. The Indian Ocean Tsunami devastated several countries including India and Sri Lanka. UECF rose to the situation and contributed towards the relief efforts through Hindustan Bible Institute (HBI) and Rev. Joe Thomas’s ministry in Sri Lanka.

17. Social & Cultural Events

UECF families actively participated in the following social and cultural events:

India Independence Day parade: In the year 2005, India Independence Day parade was organized for the first time in New Jersey. UECF families took part in this secular event, which was held on 14th

August 2005. It was a great experience to hold the UECF banner along with Tricolor flags and marching on Oak Tree Road. This certainly helped UECF in developing awareness in the neighborhood.

UECF Family Picnics: UECF annual family picnics are generally filled with lots of fun and plenty of food along with the spiritual food. The members with their family and friends enjoyed the picnics organized in famous Parks of New Jersey such as Colonial Park, Johnson Park, Roosevelt Park and Cheese Quake Park.

Adults and the kids alike have taken active part in number of activities and played variety of games. UECF families had the opportunity to enjoy various activities and games such as Bible quizzes, Bibliola (a popular UECF activity), Tug of war, Strawberry catching, Egg throwing, musical chairs, water balloons for children, dumb charades, Guess picture drawing, Cricket, Tennis and boat riding.

18. Fellowship Hour

The fellowship time has been very helpful in bringing cohesion among the congregation. UECF families have always enjoyed hosting Fellowship Coffee hour after each Sunday service with delicious Indian style home made food while celebrating their birthdays and anniversaries. Members volunteered to sign-up Fellowship Coffee hour roaster, generally placed on the notice board.

All the special occasions like Baby showers, Bridal showers, wedding receptions and thanksgiving service were always followed by fellowship meals.

19. Web site

At the end of the year 2001, Joshua(Phani) Pilli took the initiative to develop a web site (www.uecf.net) for UECF. God has richly blessed this web ministry and UECF is well known all over the world through the web site. Members and others get periodical updates on the fellowship activities through the regular web postings. The pictorial account of the past events were also archived and made available on the web.

Web site has been instrumental for the growth of UECF. It is wonderful to know many visitors have attended the UECF Sunday worship services and testified that they came to know about UECF through the Web site. Some such visitors started attending regularly. Praise the Lord for this wonderful site and the never tiring efforts of Joshua Pilli!

20. Conclusion:

There were some ups and downs in the journey of UECF and it has undergone lot of trials and tribulations with in the last 10 years. But like Church built on the rock, UECF is continuing in faith, moving steadfastly and standing as a testimony to the Lord. As the name suggests, United Evangelical Christian Fellowship is committed to the Evangelism.