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.