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Genesis:
In the Spring of 1979 a group of
Indian Christians mostly Telugu folk with some Gujaratis, Malayalis & Tamils
gathered at Dr.David Chigurupati's residence, 167 Sherman Ave, Glen Ridge,
NJ,.07028 to pray and seek God's will for the Indian Christians living in the
N.Y,N.J & CT tri-state area. They were led to start a fellowship that will
meet once a monthly for spiritual edification, spreading the gospel here and in
India and for Christian fellowship. Some of the believers who attended were
Bros.Samuel John Vemuri, Premkumar Chakravarthi, Sammy Solanky(Gujarat), T.M
John (Kerala) and Bhaskar (Tamil Nadu) etc. The majority of the attendees being
Telugu coupled with the fact that the Gujaratis, Malayalees & Tamils already
have either fellowships or Churches it became obvious that the Telugus needed to
get together. So it was decided that they would meet on a monthly basis.
In the begining the meetings were held in believer's homes alternatively in
N.Y & N.J.but before long it was decided for practical reasons that N.Y
people will meet in N.Y and the N.J folk in N.J. and on special occassions they
will have combined services. N.J group was called the TELUGU CHRISTIAN
FELLOWSHIP of NEW JERSEY. Messages were given by the members themselves except
when a visiting preacher came by. Later it was decided that they would meet in a
permanent place instead of the believer's homes as their membership increased.
One of our founding fathers Bro. Samuel John Vemuri (he was called to glory
since) happened to be an elder in the Calvary Lutheran Church, 1482 Maple
Ave,Hillside, N.J. and was able to secure that facility. Thanks be to God. TCF
worshipped there from 1981 till Nov, 2001 when of necessity they had to move to
a bigger facility Union United Methodist Church, Berwyn Street & Overlook
Terrace, in Union, N,J due to a substantial growth in the Fellowship. Praise be
to God. A word of thanks and gratitude is in order for the Pastors, trustees and
members of the Calvary Lutheran Church for their love & kindness in letting
TCF use their facility and the right hand of fellowship they gave them. TCF was
their Indian outreach. Only Eternity will reveal what they had accomplished
through this ministry..Parting was not easy as both became like one family. With
painful hearts they bid farewell to one another but agreed to keep in touch and
cherish the memories of the bond of love with which Christ knit Their hearts.
One day both will be together again in our Lord's presence never to part
anymore. Important
Information
TCF was blessed to have God's messengers like late. Rev. Dr. A.B Masilamani,
prince of Telugu preachers, late Dr. Fried founder of the Trans-world radio
(Viswavani in India), late Dr. Christie Zimmerman, a Lutheran missionary to A.P
and Rev. Samuel Schmitthenner, a former President of The Andhra Evangelical
Lutheran Church, Guntur, A.P., India to name a few. There are others but space
would not permit to mention Those names.
This is TCF's 23rd year in existence and God allowed it to co-labor with Him.
What they did over the years was to invite God's people representing various
ministries to preach and collect money from the membership for their work. While
they supported many ministries around the world they made a special effort to
support ministries to Telugu people. On an average they gave about $500.00 a
month to these dear ones all these years by the grace of God. May they be
occupied in the extension of His Kingdom till He comes. |
