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. |