UECF History

1st 2 Years Review
3rd Year Review
4th Year Review
5th Year Review
7th Y1ear Review
9th Year Review
10th Year Review


Author of 1st 5 years: Mr. D. Alfred Bhaskar, one of the founders and the First President.

The Motivation: In January 1997, a group of people felt that the churches, which they attend, do not meet their needs adequately. Some of their major concerns and needs were as follows:

1) A lay fellowship that is above the denominational sect but acceptable to all denominations.

2) A congregation serving all communities without language barriers.

3) To cater for a Sunday weekly worship service that would fulfill the spiritual needs of lay Christians in the Central Jersey region.

4) Assist in the study of the scripture among the adults and young kids. 

5) Maintain the Christian traditions of the Indian sub-continent.

6) Bring people from this region closer so that their combined resources could be pooled to meet the Christian needs of out reach Ministries serving in the South Asian region.

7) Serve the local community.


Initiative: Initially, the key people in this group were Mr. Alfred Bhaskar, Mr. Vijay Pulipati and Mr Rajani Kantha Rao. Later, they were joined by Mr. Ebenezer Mallepalle and Mr. Micheal Rose. After putting their burden in prayer for about three months, they believed that it is God’s will to start a new congregation with goals and objectives as listed above. They pledged to fund the start of the new Christian Congregation and sought the support of Rev. Dr. David Ravinder to serve as an honorary Sr. pastor and provide the spiritual leadership. With his assent, a formal decision was arrived to start a new fellowship. Dr. David Ravinder helped in getting a place for our Sunday evening worship service at the sanctuary of the United Methodist Church, located at 301, Chestnut Street, Roselle Park, New Jersey 07204. 

Mr. Alfred Bhaskar, Mr. Vijay Pulipati, Mr. RajaniKantha Rao and Mr. Ebenezer Mallepalle became the incorporators as they initiated the incorporation of the UECF body that started its first service on the first Sunday of the Month of April 1997. The first General Body meeting was held on June 4, 1997. All the local Christians were invited for this meeting. The attendance was 34 according to the list of signatories for the meeting. A draft Constitution prepared by Mr. Alfred Bhaskar along with the by-laws was presented for the approval of this General Body, and the same was approved. Also, the name United Christian Evangelical Fellowship with abbreviation UECF was approved. A Board of Trustees consisting of eight members was elected with the following Office bearers:

President: Mr. Alfred Bhaskar   

Secretary: Mr. Rajani Kantha Rao                                                              

Treasurer: Mr. Ebenezer Mallepalle                                                    

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 Sr. Pastor cum Spiritual Advisor, and ex-officio member of the board.  

Goals and Objectives: The main goal of this fellowship is to provide spiritual and cultural fellowship for Indian Christians settled in the U.S.A. These goals are met through the following activities: 

1) Conduct weekly worship service on Sundays with preaching of the word of God, glorify and praise His name; and exhort all believers to lead their lives following the teachings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the son of God. 

2) Host fellowship hours after each service, to bring cohesion among the members.

3) Conduct Sunday School for children and Bible study for adults.

4) Organize and run special fellowship activities for youth and women.

5) Conduct other services on special occasions such as religious festivals, marriages, birth days, baptisms, anniversaries and funerals.

6) Promote cultural activities for the community, such as - imparting education in Indian languages, Indian music.

7) Assist in the spread of the gospel in India and other countries in coordination with other groups.

8) Organize and promote community service in the local Central New Jersey area, and in region in India that are in need of support due to calamities such as floods, famine, fire and epidemics.

9) Participate in activities of similar congregations.

 

Incorporation: A formal application was submitted on April 1, 97 to the Dept. of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service for recognition of the UECF as an employer.  The same was sanctioned vide IRS Notice No. CP 575 L dated 08-15-1997.  The official name and address was approved as follows:

United Evangelical Christian Fellowship, Address c/o Alfred D. Bhaskar, 23 Ross Ct, East Brunswick, NJ 08816.  (The Presidents address was given as there was no office for the Fellowship).

After getting the EIN, an application was filed on September 6, 1997 for State recognition and certification of Incorporation as a Nonprofit Organization along with other applications for Sales Tax Exemption.  The Constitution, By-laws, and statement of funds and balances were enclosed as required.  Necessary modifications were incorporated in the Constitution and by-laws as desired by the State of New Jersey to the State of New Jersey for incorporation of UECF for exempt organization status as a Church Fellowship under federal IRS Code Section 501 © (3).  Dispensation from IRS from payment of annual federal Tax was also obtained under federal tax code Section 509 a (1).  Some major provisions of the tax code are as follows:    
Contribution deductions from tax are allowed to donors as provided in Section 170 of the code.

Fund raising events may or may not qualify as deductible contribution depending on circumstances. 

We are not required to file tax returns in form 990 unless our annual gross income exceeds $25,000.

Note: The Board of Trustees, and specially the President, and Treasurer are expected to be conversant to the provisions under tax laws.  The president received immense support in filing the papers and following correspondence and replies to queries from the State and IRS, from Mr. Christopher Arun Kumar, a Chartered public Accountant and friend of UECF who provided free service and expert advise and support.  With his help, we were able to achieve these results without paying hefty fees to attorneys.  The president in the first annual General Body Meeting moved a resolution recognizing the service and thanking Mr. Arun Kumar.

The UECF opened its account in Sovereign Bank.  The checks are to be signed by the Treasurer and one member of the executive committee according to the resolution incorporated while opening the account.  However to this date, this rule is not implemented and only the treasurer signs the checks.