United Evangelical Christian Fellowship (UECF)cross

 
 


          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.


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