The UECF was able to get its first pastor Rev Praveen Bunyan (associate Pastor) to serve as the regular preacher during worship services on three Sundays a week with the Sr. Pastor, Rev Ravinder taking charge of the fourth Sunday which was designated as Communion Sunday.
The first Annual General Body meeting was held in July 1998. The first Anniversary of UECF was celebrated with a two day Revival meeting. Mr. Ebenezer Mallepalle sponsored the guest speaker for the revival meeting, Mr. Akbar Haq. All local churches and UTCF, NewYork participated in the meetings.
During the year Rev Praveen Bunyan left the UECF and relocated to Denver as a Pastor of a major congregation in that region. Rev Sunil Balasundaram who came from India to join the seminary for doctoral studies filled the vacancy. Rev. Balasundaram was assigned charge of the first and second Sunday worship services. The third Sunday was reserved for other pastors and guest speakers. Among the guest speakers, Rev. Milind Sojwal, Rev. Joseph Thomas, Rev. Solomon Tiwade, Rev. Charles Mark, Christopher Salina, John Bhajjan and Prince Singh supported the congregation bringing their blessings and inspiring messages to the UECF congregation. Several distinguished Ministers from India, like Bro. Shanthavardhan and Bro. Joshi to name a few, also graced our Sunday worship services with their powerful messages.
The UECF celebrated a Musical Concert. Outside churches also participated in the Concert. The Thanks-giving was celebrated colorfully with an auction that was enjoyed. Christmas and Carol rounds were celebrated. The thanksgiving auction and Christmas carols helped by giving some much needed funds to the UECF as we were leading a tight budget with revenues barely above expenditure. A home Bible Study program which was being conducted at the home of Mr.Alfred Bhaskar as a private initiative started (in 1996) before the UECF came into existence, was adopted by the UECF as an activity and was conducted on a monthly basis. Lenten cottage Prayer meetings during Lenten service were also initiated and conducted during every Friday throughout the entire Lenten season. The membership was growing but attrition too was taking its toll.