Author: Mr. D. Alfred Bhaskar, one of the founders and the First President,
09/1997 - 09/2000
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.
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. UECF was given an Employer ID EID# 22-353-0779. 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.
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.
A second annual General Body meeting was held in August 1999. The President Mr. Alfred Bhaskar and Secretary Mr. RajaniKantha Rao submitted their voluntary resignations from the executive Committee for personal reasons. Mr. RajaniKantha Rao proposed Mr. Kanthi Paul Rapaka as his successor. The general Body unanimously approved the proposal. Mr. Alfred Bhaskars resignation was not accepted. He was asked to continue for one more year and groom his successor. Mr. Moses Peram was proposed by Mr. Bhaskar to fill the vacant position of Vice President and his proposal was accepted unanimously. We received the support of additional preachers during this period. Rev. Sunil Balasundaram moved to Philadelphia to take charge as pastor in a local church; however, he continued as a guest preacher and honorary Pastor of UECF.
There were no revival meetings or Musical Concert due to tight budget. However, we invited several distinguished Ministers from India, like Bro. Shanthavardhan and Rev. Dr. Kishore Masilamani to name a few. Rev. Milind Sojwal, Rev. Joseph Thomas, Rev. Solomon Tiwade, Rev. Charles Mark and Christopher Salina continued to bring the word of God in their powerful and inspiring messages during the regular worship services. The Young Couples Group enacted a lent season passion Play on the Palm Sunday. The Thanks giving and Christmas services were celebrated. The home Bible Study group meetings and Lenten meetings were held as in the previous year. The Bible Study was regularly scheduled for the second Friday of each month.
During the year, Mr. Moses Peram resigned for personal reasons due to relocation to North Jersey. Mr. Kanthi Paul also resigned for personal reasons during the year.
A General Body meeting was held in September 2000 in which a new team was elected as the three-year term for the incumbent team and leadership expired. The following are the team members:
President: Mr. Ebenezer Mallepalle.
Vice president: Mr. Ajay Damarapu
Secretary: Mr. Vijay Pulipati
Treasurer: Mr. Simon Bushi.
Members of Board of Trustees: Mr. Ajit Lakra; Mrs. Udaya Pulipati; Mrs. Sujatha Mallepalle; Mr. Carol Daniel.
Directors/coordinators:
Music: Sushil Bhujbhal
Womens Fellowship: Mrs. Sujatha Mallepalle
Missions and Out-reach Ministry: Mrs. Sujatha Mallepalle.
Bible Study: Mrs. Udaya Pulipati
Youth fellowship: Johnsanjay Bhaskar
Young Couples Group: Mrs. Anna Bhujbhal
No nominations were accepted for the Spiritual Advisors Post and Rev. Dr. David Ravinder continued his term.
During the early part of the year, Mr. Ajit Lakra proposed the expansion of the Board of trustee membership by taking experienced ex members in and the Board approved the nomination of Mr. Rajani Kantha Rao as a new member. Mr. Ebenezer Mallepalle resigned the presidentship and Mr. Ajay Damarapu was nominated by the board of trustees to assume the role of the President until the end of the term.
During the year, the UECF was able to secure a place of worship in Edison, thanks to the efforts of Johnsanjay, the youth leader. This place located at the Church of Nazarene at 70 Jefferson Blvd. is a central location with excellent facilities. The UECF is grateful to the Pastor Rev. Tom Sanders, the church council members, and the congregation who graciously provided UECF the privilege of using their church and facilities. The shift to the Edison location proved to be very popular. The membership increased, and so did our receipts. The UECF supported revival meetings hosted by the Church of Nazarene in which Bro. Joshua Daniel was the guest speaker. The year saw a new pastor supporting our worship service programs. Rev. Steve Nash became a regular pastor bringing the word of God on the first Sundays of the month with Rev Sunil Balasundaram taking charge of the second and third Sundays and Pastor David Ravinder in charge of the communion Sunday. Guest preachers were given the fifth Sundays. Mrs. Anna Bhujbhal was the regular fifth Sunday preacher on most of the occasions.
The fourth Annual General Body meeting was held in September 2001. During this meeting, some amendments clarifying the definition of the word term of incumbency were approved. The adhoc arrangement of Mr. Ajay Damarapu holding the presidentship was terminated, and the general Body unanimously elected Mr. Ajay Damarapu as a regular President. Mr. Syam Pilli was elected as the new Vice President. The UECF felt the need for a regular pastor who would nurture and help in the growth of the congregation as a church. A search Committee was formed with Mr. Alfred Bhaskar, Mr.Ajit Lakra, Mr. RajaniKantha Rao, Mrs. Susan Bushi and Mr. Syam Pilli as members to examine the feasibility of sponsoring Rev. Emmanuel from India for a 2 year period and also to examine alternatives. A special General Body meeting was fixed for November 25, 2001 with the main agenda of examining the study report and updating the Constitution/By-laws by new amendments as required.