GENESIS
“FAITHFUL IS OUR GOD WHO CALLS
WHO ALSO WILL ENABLE US TO ACCOMPLISH HIS PURPOSES; DEAR ONES PLEASE PRAY FOR US
1 Thessalonians: 5: 25 & 26 (Paraphrased)
Genes is: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 once a month. On every 3rd Saturday.
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 redeemed of the Lord will be together again in our Lord’s presence never to part anymore.
TCF was blessed to have God’s messengers like late. Rev. Dr. A.B Masilamani, prince of Telugu preachers, late Dr.Paul 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 25th 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 to them and then collect money from the membership to support 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 (TCFNJ) occupied in the extension of His Kingdom till He comes?
One very interesting thing about this fellowship is THEY NEVER HAD ANY ELECTIONS. It was managed by elders late Samuel John Vemuri, Krupa Rao Mattegunta, David Chigurupati & Yesu das Thadepalli until this day for the glory of God. Among many projects undertaken by this group 4 stand out for the glory of God.
1.One day about 15 years ago they received news that a Telugu Christian family was in a car accident somewhere in Kansas in which the husband died instantly and one daughter had multiple fractures. Only the mother and two children escaped injuries but were in great distress as they were from Michigan and had very little money in their hands. When an appeal was made $5,000.00 were collected and sent to the mother Mrs. Jessie Thommandru who was very grateful for this unexpected help from the TCF. By God’s grace they are o.k. Now.
2.At the request of Dr. Sarala Elisha, Guntur. A.P., India .TCF helped a Tamil preacher Alfred George who was married to a Telugu Christian nurse from Kugler hospital but who was blind for over 40 years. He had surgery done in New York City. By God’s grace vision was restored in one eye. Can you imagine his joy when he was able to see his wife and children for the first time in his life. The TCF picked up his $5,000.00 hospital bill. Glory is to God.
3.Some years ago an Ultra Sound machine was sent to Kugler Hospital, Guntur, A.P., India priced at $31,000.00. Thanks be to God the Lutheran church in America gave $21,000.00 and TCF gave $10,000.00. Praise God for the donor’s for their generosity.
4.Recently God enabled TCF to help a Telugu Christian young man Stephen Malapati from Guntur to have a kidney transplant done in Hyderabad at a cost of $10,000.00. Normally it does not cost that much but he had serious complications prolonging his hospital stay for 3 months. Praise be to God.
In 1990 Dr. David Chigurupati had to quit medical practice due to serious visual impairment. Suddenly he found himself having a lot of free time and wondering how to utilize it meaningfully but God graciously stepped in and began to open up new doors for ministry. One day he got a call from Dr. Spiros Zodhiates, president of AMG International, a missionary organization that operates in 60 countries including A.P India asking him to consider becoming one of the board of directors of AMG. He was taken aback at the offer but collected himself to say that he would pray and let him know his decision. He prayed and having had peace about it gave his o.k. It was God’s doing for he never expected anything like that though he was involved with AMG since 1968 when God in His providence used him to help AMG to start their work in A.P. India.
For the glory of God today out of the 60 countries they operate A.P India happens to be their biggest mission field. Praise be to God.
In 1991 another important thing happened. An organization called “National Association of Asian Indian Christians in the USA Inc.(NAAIC) was inaugurated in Union, N.J and by God’s grace Dr. David Chigurupati was asked to do public relations work for NAAIC and start chapters for it. It was started with a purpose to bring all Indian Christians together in US for fellowship and spiritual growth and to also assist our brothers and sisters in India spiritually and socio-economically. In 1993 NAAIC decided to have a national conference in New York city and by God’s grace they chose Dr. David Chigurupati to coordinate it. Once again it was God’s doing as there were people from other linguistics groups who could have been chosen. AMG sponsored it and Dr. Spiros Zodhiates gave the keynote address. The other speakers being Dr.T.E.Koshy (a close associate of Late Brother Bakht singh ) and Dr.Samuel Barkat (Vice-President intervarsity) a ministry that serves college and university students in US.The conference was a grand success for the glory of God and it was decided to have the next conference in 3 years.
Suddenly God gave an idea to Dr. David Chigurupati to do a conference like that for Telugu christians as NAAIC will not have any for the next 3 years. Thus started the first conference for Telugus the TELUGU CHRISTIAN FAMILY CONFERENCE (TCFC) at Hofstra University, New York City in summer of 1994 and God blessed it. Again AMG USA sponsored it and we had the joy of having Dr. S. John David, Director AMG India participate in it. About 300 people showed up.
Again we held the conference in 1995 at Nyack College, Nyack, N.Y. AMG sponsored it and we had the honor of having Dr. Spiros Zodhiates again as the main speaker. The name of the meet however was changed to CHRISTIAN FAMILY CONFERENCE (CFC) to facilitate all Christians to attend regardless of their background.
Dr. Joseph Paturi, Provost at that time to the Temple Baptist College, Cincinnati, OH was also invited to this conference to give a workshop on “Christian Stewardship”. Dr. David Chigurupati knew his family way back in Eluru, W.G.Dt., A.P., India and through God’s providence that contact was renewed through a common friend Mr. Joseph Bandrapalli who was living in Chicago at that time and thus began an historic association with him that would expand the ministry among the Telugu Christians beyond the borders of N.Y, N.J & CT tri-state area into other parts of US, Canada and even other continents. “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgements and His ways past finding out!” (Romans: 11:33).
Rev. Dr. Joseph Paturi was impressed by the work he saw among the Telugu christians and after returning from the Nyack conference prepared a report of the conference for circulation among the Telugus and thus the idea of starting a “News Letter” was born. God led Dr. David Chigurupati to call it “The Christian Family” and publication started right away and about 400 of them were mailed each time. It had articles for all age groups men & women, youth & children to help them grow spiritually. Then God led us to print a directory of the Telugu christians and before long it was done. Both projects were very much appreciated by the Telugu christians in US.
This is the kind of help that Dr. David Chigurupati was looking for to reach out to the Telugu christians and God provided it through Rev.Dr. Joseph and his dear wife Dr. Shobha Paturi. The hard work she put in for these projects is unbelievable. Literally she had hundreds of hours of conversations personally with her husband and by phone with Dr. David Chigurupati to make these projects a reality. May God richly bless her for her services to the Telugu Christian community.
A little later God gave an idea to Rev. Dr. Joseph Paturi to start a missionary organization in US to serve the Indian christian community and thus was born “TRANS-WORLD TEMPLE MINISTRIES” in Cincinnati, OH with the help of Rev. Dr. Darrell Horseley, the senior pastor of the Temple Baptist church and the Chancellor of the Temple Baptist college and Dr. Wesley Smith, the President of the Temple Baptist college with Rev.Dr. Joseph Paturi and Dr. David Chigurupati as the other members in the board. A word of thanks and gratitude is in order for the leadership of the Temple Baptist church and college for their right hand of fellowship they have for these ventures. All the printing and mailing was done from those facilities. God bless them and their institutions abundantly.
New Jersey Annual Conference:-Then God led us to increase the number of the summer conferences and by God’s grace the very next year in 1996 God opened up Allentown, PA, Atlanta, GA and Dallas, TX. TCF NJ helped to put together Allentown conference till 2002, which is now conducted in Philipsburg NJ. On every July 4th weekend.
Georgia Annual Conference:-Pastors Younis Farhat, Paul Kumar & Avinash Raiborde with their congregations and the local Telugu group with their leaders Dr. Nathaniel Chikkala, Pastors Samuel Bandela, Christopher and Peter Palli and the other members helped the Atlanta conference.
Texas Annual Conference:- Bros. Daniel Mutyala, Vijay Gurrala, Koteswara Rao Chintapalli, Raju Pendyala, Luke Raju and others in Dallas. Now the Texas conference alternates between Dallas and Houston as both places have large body of believers.The dear ones who help the Houston conference are Bros.Chris Gantela. Paul immaraj, Samuel Panthagani, Joseph Gurrala and others.
California Annual conference:- God added Los Angeles and San Jose in 1997 with the help of Pastor Sudarshan Nunna, Kumar Vijjeswarapu, Pastor Israel Rapuri, Kevin Kondru, John Cleophus and others in L.A and Bros. John Koduri, Paul Muppidi, Pradeep Nannepaga, Srikanth Vegendla, Syam Sudarshan, Stephen Didde and others in San Jose.
Boston Annual Conference:- In 1998 God opened up Boston, MA with the help of pastor Raja Kandanada, Dr. Daniel Muppidi, bros. Ernest Gulla, Elisha Malabanti and others, Detroit, MI with the help of Pastor Jasper Dalavai, Dr. Jayakar, bros. Anil Kollipara, Praveen Pulukuri, Paul Ravoori and others and Washington, D.C with the help of Drs. P. Swamidoss & George Zachariah and bro. Daniel Prabhakar.
Canada Annual Conference:–In 1999 God added Toronto, Canada with the help of bros. Paul Kancherla, Johnson Kasukurthy, Vijay Mathangi, Vijay, Bobbili, Nageswara Rao Zillepalli and others.
NewYork Annual Conference:- New York City with the help of the members of the UNITED TELUGU CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP consisting of bros. Premkumar Chakravarthi, Johnson Gandham, William Singavarapu, Steven Samraj, Dr. Purushotham Mysappa, Vijaykumar Maddukuri, David Saladi and others.
Cincinnati, Annual OH:– Cincinnati, OH with the help of Rev. Dr. Joseph Paturi, pastors Samuel Darla, Tanmay Pramanik, bros. Dr. Paul Daniel, Ashish Lokhande and others.
Philadelphia Annual Conference:– In 2000 God opened up Philadelphia, PA with the help of Pastors. Sanjeeva Rao Vangore, David Babu, bros. Anil Paul. Samuel Roy Pilli, Syamprasad Kandula and others.
Utah Annual conference:- Salt Lake city, Utah with the help of pastor Max Jarmillo who interviewed Rev. Dr. Joseph Paturi and Dr. David Chigurupati on T.V, bros. Samuel John Kassey, Joseph Amin, Ibrahim Ghulam, Ernest Bedi and others.
A brief mention of NAAIC and it’s activities is in order here as it gave a head start to Dr. David Chigurupati to launch out into full time ministry. He is still associated with it and currently it’s President. It is involved in a number of projects helpful to Indian christians here and back home like sending aid to earthquake victims in Latur, Maharashtra and Bhuj, Gujarat but they are known more for their defence of the Indian christians against persecution with prayer vigils & peaceful rallies outside the United Nations in New York city and in Washington outside the halls of Congress when our Prime minister Honorable Atal Behari Vajpayee visited US. The later was televised all over US and India in which Dr. David Chigurupati spoke for about 10 minutes from Bible defending Indian christians. Praise be to God.
A journal was released yearly in connection with the summer conferences. It will be good to look at the themes chosen for them. In 1993 it was the motto of William Carey, the father of the modern missions “expect great things from God and attempt great things for Him”. In 1994 it was “Choose you this day whom ye will serve… But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord” (Joshua: 24:15). In 1995 it was “go ye into all the world and preach gospel to every creature” Mark:(16:15) In 1996 (was a combined NAAIC&CFC Conference) it was “And He gave some apostles; and some prophets; and some evangelists; and some pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians: 4:11 & 12). In 1997 it was “Let us rise up and build” (Nehemiah: 2:18). In 1998 it was “For we are laborers together with God” (1Corinthians: 3:9). In 1999 it was “Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts: 1:8). In 2000 it was “Enlarge the place of thy tent” (Isaiah: 54:2). In 2001 it was “Occupy till I come” (Luke: 19:13). In 2002 “Behold I come quickly”(Rev 22:12) In 2003 redeeming the time because the days are evil”(Eph 5:16).
Many God’s servants ministered in these conferences Some of them are as follows: Dr. Spiros Zodhiates the world famous Biblical scholar and an authority on Bible who has written more than 300 books in English and Greek. He is also the president of AMG International in Chattanooga, TN who has much to do with A.P and the Telugu people for he through his organization invested since 1968 nearly 500 crores of Rupees for evangelism and social gospel (hospitals, leprosy colonies, orphanages, colleges & schools, vocational schools, homes for the old people, street children, ministry to scavenger’s & fisherman’s children and even to devadasis to leave their profession and AMG would help them to start a small scale businesses to support themselves.
AMG also played a crucial role with regards to the summer conferences. Initially they sponsored them without any financial obligations to them mainly to give credibility to this ministry and what a right hand of fellowship that had been.
The artwork and printing of the jacket for the journal published annually in connection with the conferences was done by Mrs. Florence Anderson, the AMG artist and Mike Muncy, the AMG printer free of cost. It contained letters of commendation and articles of Dr. Spiros Zodhiates as well. We are thankful to God and greatly indebted to Dr.(Mrs) Sudha Nittala &her husband Mr Samuel Nittala for typing and editing the Telugu section of this journal that we publish annually ,God richly bless them. Only Eternity will tell what had been wrought through AMG for Telugu people. They are forever indebted to God and AMG for their ministry, Dr. Anis Shorrosh, the Arab christian evangelist from Nazareth,Palestine who debated Muslim scholars at Royal Albert Hall in London and Durban, South Africa.
Dr. Akbar Haqq, Mineapolis, MN associate evangelist of Dr. Billy Graham.
Dr. John Richard,Richardson, TX pioneer Indian evangelist who has a role in the formation of both Indian Evangelical Mission (I.E.M) and Friends Missionary Prayer Band (FMPB).
Dr. T.V.Thomas, Regina, SK, Canada, evangelist and Director, Center for evangelism.
Dr. Samuel Barkat, Yorktown Heights, N.Y, Vice- president, Inter-Varsity Fellowship, a famous college & university campus based ministry to students.
Rev.Dr. G. Samuel pastor of the Narayanguda Baptist Church, Hyderabad, A.P., India the biggest one in India with 10,000 membership.
Rev. Dr. R.R.K Murthy, Hyderabad, A.P., India, famous Radio(Vishvani) speaker, Evangelist and a Telugu Brahmin disciple of Jesus Christ.
Rev. Dr. Yesupadam Bandela, Mineapolis, MN, President, Gospel Association of India and also the producer of annual Door Darshan Christmas and Easter specials on prime time T.V watched by millions over in India. God in His providence used Dr. David Chigurupati to sponsor him to come to US in 1968. God’s ways are past finding out. Are not they?
Dr. P.P. Williams I.A.S.,Hyderabad, A.P., India Retd. Chief secretary, Govt. of A.P. who also happens to be brother of Rev Dr. Joseph Paturi. Rev. M.K. Pramanik, Pastor, Circular Road Baptist Chapel, Calcutta, India one of the 2 Churches started by the famous “father of modern missions” WILLIAM CAREY.Dr. B.K. Pramanik I.A.S., General Secretary Bible Society of India. Bangalore.Rev. Dr. P. Joshi, the well known Radio (Vishvani) speaker and Evangelist,Hyderabad, A.P., India. Rev. Dr. D.J. Augustine, Pastor of the famous Jewett Memorial Baptist Church, Ongole,A.P., India that was bombed recently by anti-Christian elements. NOT FAR FROM THIS CHURCH AT GUNDLAKAMMA RIVER 2,222 PEOPLE WERE BAPTIZED IN ONE SINGLE DAY ABOUT A CENTURY AGO BY BAPTIST MISSIONARIES HEADED BY DR. CLOUGH WHICH IS A world RECORD FOR ONE DAY BAPTISMS OUTSIDE OF THE DAY OF PENTECOST WHEN 3,000 WERE BAPTIZED AFTER PETER’S PREACHING. HALLELUJAH!
Rev. Dr. Thomas Nalla, Pastor of the famous Centenary Baptist Church, Secunderabad, A.P., India.
Dr. Darrell Horseley, Pastor, Temple Baptist Church & Chancellor Temple Baptist College, Cincinnati, OH. Rev. Dr. Livingston Gadde, Kuwait, Arabian Gulf, Pastor & founding father of the Kuwait Telugu Christian Congregation & some satellite churches & other ministries in Kuwait. About 800 come to the main Church on Sundays about 3,000 to their Christmas & Easter services. There are a number of Hindu & Muslim followers of Christ in this group. Majority are blue collar workers & their employers do not give day off on every Sunday except for special days like Christmas& Easter which explains the less people attending on Sundays. Dr. Paul Daniel, Retd. Professor, Biochemistry, University of Wales, Cardiff, UK who now is in full time ministry. He is a member of a team from that university that developed technic in DNA “Finger Printing” that is widely used around the world now, is also brother of Rev.Dr.Joseph Paturi. Rev. Dr. Paul Devakumar, President IFCM (India for Christ Ministries) Bangalore, India, with ministry to both South and North India and abroad. He is also an official instructor of the famous “Evangelism Explosion” program developed by Dr. James Kennedy, Coral Ridge, FL and used in more than 100 countries around the world for the Church growth.
Rev. G. John popularly known as “Radio John” because of his gospel broadcasts in Telugu over the radio. He is also referred as a “walking Biblical encyclopedia” because of his photographic memory to quote the scriptures. Dr. John Bilmoria, Secunderabad, A.P., well known gospel singer who enthralled our audiences many times. Robert and Phil James gospel singers from Scotland, UK.
In 1997 God allowed another good thing to happen. There are about 8 Telugu christian families in Rockland County area, N.Y who wanted to have cottage meetings weekly in their homes. By God’s grace a fellowship was established “ROCKLAND COUNTY TELUGU CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP”(RCTCF). The interesting thing about this fellowship is that everything is done in Telugu. This is a small group but they have done big things for God. One Nayudupalli family built 3 village churches in Guntur district, A.P.,India and donated 200 Telugu Bibles to one fellowship in Tenali, A.P. RCTCF gave generously for ministries among Telugu people. Provided airfare and pocket money for a Telugu Brahmin convert Mr. Balakrishna Tanikella to visit India as he could not afford it. A number of visiting preachers like Radio speaker P. Joshi, Dr. B.C. Paul Theological professor, Paravasthu Suryanarayana the well known Telugu Brahmin convert from the famous scholarly Paravasthu family, Laxman Thakur, a convert from a North Indian priestly family from U.K etc. addressed this group. This has a good potential to become a Telugu church as they meet on a weekly basis. Pray about it.
In 1997 a new fellowship was started in Roselle, NJ by a group of Telugu families along with few North Indian families the “UNITED EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN ELLOWSHIP” (UECF). Brother Alfred Bhasker Damarapu is the founding father of this fellowship.Along with Rev.Dr.David Ravinder and Bros.Vijay & Rajani Pulipati, Ebenezer Mallepalle,Ajit Lakra, Etc..Rev Dr.David Ravinder also started a ministry for young couples that also consists of former members of TCFNJ.
Telugu Christian Fellowship of NJ congratulates them and feels very happy that a number of their folk became members of these ministries and thus TCF NJ feels in a small way that they have contributed to the formation of these fellowships. We wish them God speed.
TCF and UECF joined hands to host a “Passion Play” at Cranford United Methodist Church, Cranford, NJ.,by a group of young Telugu christian artists directed by Dr. & Mrs. Regi & Rita Paul from Chicago. Help given by Rev. Dr. David Ravinder, Ajay Damarapu and the UECF members is greatly appreciated. TCF thanks many like Mr & Dr. Rao & Aruna for providing a meal to the artists, the women’s fellowship of TCF and Samuel Chilaka, Samuel John Kassey, Prem Kankanala, Robert Mesa, Raj ram & Mihir Roy etc. God richly reward them.
TCF NJ and TRANS-WORLD MINISTRIES (TWM) work very closely. We complement each other’s work. There was TCF NJ to begin with, then came the annual conferences which led to the formation of TWM of which Rev. Dr. Joseph Paturi is the president and Dr. David Chigurupati the executive director. So TCF NJ ought to be looked upon as the mother organization. In partnership with other like-minded ministries a number of projects were initiated and carried on. In this context these projects must be looked upon as joint ventures and the status of the TCF NJ as the mother organization and as a full partner in these ventures must be understood. In this connection Dr. Joseph Paturi and Dr. David Chigurupati were supposed to visit Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Botswana (Africa), Gulf countries, India and UK. They did travel to Gulf countries Kuwait, Bahrain, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Oman, India and Cardiff, Wales, UK. A partnership was developed with the Telugu churches in the Gulf countries notably with Kuwait and the 1st GLOBAL TELUGU CHRISTIAN SERVANT’S CONFERENCE was held in Kuwait in February 1999. There were 5 delegates from US – Rev. Dr. Joseph Paturi, Dr. David Chigurupati, Mr & Mrs. Sudhakar & Santhi Mondithoka who are currently in charge of the RAVI ZACHARIAS’ MINISTRIES in India but were doing Masters degree in theology at that time in the Bible Institute of Los Angeles,(BIOLA) CA and Bro.Daniel Mutyala, Dallas, TX. Fifty Telugu Christian leaders from A.P., India representing various ministries were also invited to this historic conference that took place in a Muslim country of all the places. God has a sense of humor. Does not He? It was a grand success for the glory of God. All Indian delegates were provided travel, boarding and lodging free of cost. Kuwait and Qatar Telugu churches,Trans-World and TCF NJ took care of all the expenses which came to $20,000.00. Praise be to God.
Right after that God gave an idea to Rev. Dr. Joseph Paturi to start a theological school for the benefit of the Telugu Christians working in Gulf countries. So an institution “TELUGU VEDANTHA VIDYALAYAM” was started in Kuwait with Rev. Dr. Livingston Gadde as the chancellor and Rev. Dr. Joseph Paturi and Dr. David Chigurupati as the co-chancellors. Anyone who wants to know the word of God well and those that want to go into ministry were given an opportunity to enroll and receive training. Already two batches were graduated and currently about 80 are enrolled. Curriculum was sent from US and the course lasts about 4 years Leading to a B.Th Degree. All of them have their secular jobs but still enroll because they want to be used of God. There is distance learning as well through correspondence to those living in other gulf countries outside of Kuwait. The curriculum is in Telugu. Lately English medium has been introduced for those who are proficient in English language.
There are plans to start a Christian University here in US God willing to benefit the Indian Christian students interested in theology with Dr. Gnana Bhaskar Kali, New York city as the president who holds a doctorate in theology. Pray for this project.
God blessed TCF NJ and TWM to link up with Indian Christians in Cardiff, Wales in UK and Telugu Christians in Botswana, Africa. Praise be to His Holy Name. Rev. Dr. Joseph Paturi and Dr. David Chigurupati were able to minister to the Indian Christian group in Cardiff, Wales, UK headed by prominent Telugu Christians like Dr. Paul Daniel, a former Bio-Chemistry Professor and Rev. Bhaskara Rao a Telugu Brahmin convert. They are our European partners. Rev. Dr. Joseph Paturi also has a brother in Botswana, Africa Dr. Enoch Prabhakar a Forensic Medicine expert to that government. With his help 3 Telugu Christian Fellowships were started in Botswana. Rev. Dr. Joseph Paturi visited those fellowships but
Dr. David Chigurupati missed that trip due to some prior commitments.
2001 was a very significant year for TCF NJ, TWM and Telugu Christians Churches in the Gulf as the 2nd GLOBAL TELUGU CHRISTIAN SERVANT’S CONFERENCE was held at Deccan Continental Hotel, Hyderabad; India from February 6-9 with about 350 Telugu Christian Leaders from A.P., Gulf Countries and US were in attendance from many denominations and groups. Dr. David Chigurupati was the only US delegate as Rev. Dr. Joseph Paturi could not make the trip due to prior commitments. It was a historic event and was a great success for the glory of God. The spiritual caliber of the meet was very high. Once again except for the delegates that came from Gulf Countries and US the rest were provided one-way train fare, with free boarding and lodging. The total expenditure for the conference was approximately $ 20.000 The expenses were borne equally by the Telugu Christians in US and Gulf. God has been giving them a vision for worldwide Telugu Christian ministries for sometime and it came to fruition toward the end of that global conference and a team of God’s servants were prayerfully chosen to seek God’s will in this matter.
They are as follows:
Rev. Dr. Livingston Gadde, President (Founder Kuwait Telugu Church)
Rev. Dr. Paul Devakumar, President Founder IFCM (India for Christ Ministries,Bangalore)
Rev. M. Yesupadam, (Pastor Christ Maranatha Church,Hyderabad)
Rev. Dr. D.J. Augustine, Pastor Jewett Memorial Baptist Church,Ongole.
Rev Dr.Joseph Kishore President New life ministries Hyderabad.
Rev. Dr. O.M. Prasad, Supervisor Godavari Delta Mission Churches, Antharvedipalem, E.G.Dt.
Rev. Dr. B.C. Paul, Former Professor Andhra Christian Theological College, Hyderabad.
Rev. Dr. oseph Moses, Director Tribal Ministries,Vijayawada.
Rev. J. rasada Rao, President Indian Vineyard Ministries & CSI Pastor, Madanapalle.
Mr. T. Vijayakumar, Commissioner Commercial Taxes, Chittoor.
Patrons: Rev. Dr. Joseph Paturi, President Temple Baptist College, Cincinnati, OH. Dr. David V. Chigurupati M.D, Glen Ridge, NJ.
All these men Except Rev.Dr.Joseph Paturi after the conference met in Bangalore at Bro. Paul Devakumar’s house to pray about this vision of worldwide ministry by Telugu people that God had been impressing upon them. After much prayer it was agreed upon to start a ministry GLOBAL TELUGU CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES to reach out to Telugus worldwide for the purpose of fulfilling the GREAT COMMISSION begining with A.P. It was promptly registered with the government of A.P with an office at 204 Surya Teja Apts, Dharma Reddy Colony, K.P.H.B, Kukatpally Hyderabad 500 072 A.P., India Phone & Fax: 011-91-40-55271450/23156579.E-mail: GTCM2001 @rediffmail.com
Right away GTCM went into action. They conducted a conference for the pastors in twin cities of Hyderabad & Secunderabad with 300 of them in attendance to introduce this new ministry to them. They were overjoyed to hear that God raised up a ministry to reach out to the Telugu Christians worldwide and were willing to cooperate with GTCM. Praise be to God.
In May they conducted a youth festival in Ongole under the leadership of
Rev. Dr. D.J. Augustine. They expected a 1,000 but 1,700 showed up.When the altar call was given 500 youth gave their lives to Jesus and 150 offered themselves for full time ministry. Isn’t that wonderful? He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that worketh in us (Ephesians: 3:20).
In October a Pastor’s conference exclusively for Rayalaseema was conducted in Cuddapah from 11-13th with 125 Pastors and 25 lay leaders in attendance, which was a great blessing to the attendees.
Then a conference for women in leadership roles from many denominations, first of it’s kind for A.P was conducted in Hyderabad from 17-20th. Again it was a great blessing and an encouragement to the women who came.
All these conferences were made available free of cost to the attendees except for one way train fare that the attendees have to bear. Again the cost was borne by the Telugu Christians in US and Gulf principally by Kuwait. Thank God for His mercies.
In 2002 summer a youth minister’s conference was held in Narsapur W.G dist A.P with about 200 in attendance; A Karnataka Telugu pastors conference in Bangalore with 150 in attendance A telangana pastors conference was in Warangal with 200 in attendance,
A womens conference in Guntur with 400 in attendance all conferences were great success for the glory of God.
The budget for these conferences was 8 Lakhs rupees (approximately $20,000) of Rupees of which the local people will raised 2 Lakhs and the other 6 Lakhs was shared equally by Telugu Christians in US and Gulf countries primarily by Kuwait.
TCF’s Childrens ministry: “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs: 22:6). Jesus said “Suffer the little children and forbid them not to come unto me for of such is the kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew: 19:14). Today’s little ones will be tomorrow’s church leaders. With that in mind experienced teachers were appointed Rev. & Mrs. Douglas & Kimberly Stoll & Rev. & Mrs. Paul & Linnea Malkani to take care of them. They have done a wonderful job and TCF is grateful to God and to them but a couple of years ago Stolls left to Thailand to do children’s ministry TCF-NJ has adopted them as their missionaries in Thailand and gives them some of their financial support.
Malkanis also moved away. Since that time God provided a fine dedicated Indian couple Mr & Mrs.Immanuel & Esther David who have done a great job. When Esther was carrying her third child Dr (Mrs) Persis Bandari graciously stepped in to fill up that void and now she actively works with children along with Esther & David. TCF is grateful to God and to them for their sacrificial services. May God continue to bless their ministry.
For information call Mr & Mrs. Immanuel & Esther David at 973-316-8990 and.Dr.(Mrs)Persis Bandari at 973-743-3185.
TCF’s youth Ministry: “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth while the evil days come not” (Ecclesiastes: 12:1). Youth ministry is vital as they are very vulnerable at that age to the tricks of the devil and a number of them are trapped. If only they can be encouraged and properly guided a solid foundation upon the Rock of ages Jesus Christ can be laid and when the rain descends, the flood waters come and the wind blows they will stand tall and not fall.
TCF has a fine group of dedicated young people ably guided by Miss. Sue & Joshua Vishal kumar.
Our youth are very talented. They sing well and go by the name of “Hosanna Singers” (God inspired Dr. David Chigurupati to select that name) comprising of Priscilla & Sharon Chilaka, Joanna Chigurupati & Regina Ram, They sing regularly at the 1st Baptist Church in Caldwell, NJ. Which they attend. They also won 2nd prize in 2001, 1st prize in 2002 and 2003 at the Ramabai Mukthi Mission’s annual banquet youth track missions related quiz competetion, in Clinton, NJ. Lately the youngest of the Chilaka family Susanna also joined the group and singing regularly.We have a couple of young guitarists in Joash shah Srigiri & Philemon Bandari. TCF is grateful to it’s music coordinators Bros. Samuel Sudhakar Chilaka & Josiah Srigiri for training this group.
TCF’s youth leader Miss. Sue Vishalkumar had to move to Pittsburgh for studies. TCF is grateful for her services rendered to it’s youth. TCF wishes her all the best in studies, as she wants to become a doctor. Kindly uphold her with your prayers. Her place was very quickly filled by Rev. Santhosh Thadigiri who inspite of being busy as an engineer and an associate pastor in his church graciously agreed to help out for which TCF is grateful to God and to him. He is no stranger to the youth as he takes care of them in the Allentown conference done annually. Pray for him and the youth regularly that God would continue to use them effectively in His Vineyard.
Rev.Santhosh Thadigiri had to go away in order to start a ministry for the young people in the different part of the state through his church, TCFNJ is grateful to the services rendered by him to our youth.
About that time Sue Vishal kumar returned from Pittsburg and once again started taking care of our youth, little later Sue got married to Bro Ashish Pushkaran of the Temple Baptist college Cincinati OH in 2003, and she gave us a notice that she will be leaving in May 2004.Joshua vishal kumar also left to Temple Baptist College Cincinati. OH for further studies. At this juncture God touched the heart of Mrs.Esther Kuchipudi Elder Daughter of Dr.David Chigurupati to step in and take charge of the Youth Ministry once Sue leaves for Cincinati OH. Mrs Adalina Kumar wife of Rev.Ananth Kumar graciously offered herself to assist Mrs.Esther Kuchipudi in the youth ministry.
We are thankful to GOD for our children and youth who under the guidance of Mr & Mrs Immanuel &Esther David, & Mrs.Esther Kuchipudi ,Mrs.Satya Srigiri and ,Dr(Mrs)Persis Bandari. Did a great job putting on a play (Three shopping days before Christmas), which conveys a message that Christ is supreme in Christmas and not material things. They performed this play at union united Methodist Church Union, First Baptist church Rahway, and First Baptist Church Caldwell.for the Glory of God.
TCF’s Music Ministry: Singing is Worship in song that ushers the presence of God. Psalmist says, “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord” (read Psalm: 100). This aspect is taken care of by Bros.Samuel Sudhakar Chilaka, Josiah Srigiri, &Benedict Ravi, (presently he is with Boston Group) Mr & Mrs. Robert & Angela Stewart etc. Those who want to sing specials or join the choir kindly contact Sam Chilaka at 973-325-9473.
TCF Women’s Ministry: Paul praises women a great deal and gives them quite a credit for their role in the ministry. TCF’s women deserve lot of credit. Their services are priceless. They actively take part in singing, praying, giving money, cooking & cleaning for which the whole fellowship is indebted to them. One sister Mrs. Ratnakumari Pitta’s name has become synonymous with food arrangements. God bless her for her labors. There are others, who helped a lot as well like sisters Anasuya Mattegunta,
Manorama Das,
Christie Chigurupati,
Indira & Emili Myla,
Ratnakumari Nadakatla,
Santhi Chilaka
Satya Srigiri,
Persis Bandari,
Esther Kankanala,
Adalina Kumar,
Esther Kuchipudi etc. There are many more but for lack of space it is impossible to mention all those names here. Just about every woman helped in this area. God is mindful of their labors and will bless them abundantly.
OTHER TCF MINISTRIES: Good Friday Services & India Independance Day Parade. Over the years TCF partnered with AIM (Asian Indian Ministries of NJ) started by Rev. Samuel Bandela who took care of the two above-mentioned events. For Good Friday a three hour service from 12 noon to 3 P.M with 7 speakers expounding the 7 words of Jesus Christ spoken from the cross was organized at a Baptist church in Aberdeen, NJ. For India Independance Day Parade in New York City Indian christians paticipated with a float designed to reflect christian beliefs and faith with lots of Bible verses inscribed all over it, with artists singing christian songs and everyone passing thousands of tracts for the purpose of giving gospel as about a 100,000 Indians and Americans come out on that day. After a while Rev. Sam Bandela moved to Georgia entrusting these projects to Mr. Ebenezer Pattabhi and Dr. David Chigurupati. So for the last 10 years these projects were faithfully implemented. The Good Friday service was however moved to 1st Baptist Church, Rahway where Mr. Ebenezer Pattabhi is a member and also it is centrally located. The parade still takes place in New York City.
In this context the family of Mr & Mrs. Ebenezer & Mavis Pattabhi merit special mention for they are like the backbone for these two projects. Others who deserve to be thanked are the leadership of the 1st Baptist Church, Rahway, Bros. James & David Parisipogu, Dayakar Talluri and their families. As is always the case there are others who constantly help but again due to space constraints it is hard to mention all those names.
TCF’s T.V. Ministry: A picture is worth a thousand words as the saying goes. All methods must be used to get the gospel out. In this spirit TCF has been televising christian material for the last three years on cable. Life of Christ and a Christmas drama were shown in Telugu. Life stories of Sadhu Sunder Singh, the Indian apostle of the bleeding feet to Tibet. Dr.Anna Kugler, founder of the famous Kugler Hospital, Guntur, A.P., India and the teachings of the world famous Biblical scholar Dr. Spiros Zodhiates, President AMG International, Chattanooga, TN were shown in English.
For Christmas 2001 TCF adults and the youth group “Hosanna Singers” did a special by singing songs in Telugu and English respectively with a short message in Telugu and English by Dr. David Chigurupati. All glory be to God. In 2003 again TCFNJ did the Christmas specials both in English(Songs by Hosanna singers and message by Dr.David Chigurupati)and Telugu (Songs by TCF choir and message by Rev. Lazarus Geddam)which was broadcast on Cable to Tri state area.
TCF’s Missionaries:-“ Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature” (Mark:16:15). It is not easy to go to all places to preach but there are some special people called “Missionaries” who could do that. TCF supports 5 of them giving $300.00 each annually. All of them have ministered to TCF in the past and do come back from time to time to tell of the exciting things that God is doing in their ministry, They are as follows:
- Rev & Mrs. Douglas & Kimberly Stoll in Thailand our former children’s ministers doing the same over there.
- Mr & Mrs. Gregory & Esther Constable training evangelists in Secunderabad area, A.P., India.
- Rev.Vijaykumar Thadanki training evangelists and doing tribal ministries through “Shalom Ministries” Rajahmundry, A.P., India.
5 Global Telugu Christian Ministries trying to reach Telugu Christian community around the world, challenge them with the word of God and equip them to go out as missionaries.
TCF is grateful to the following for their generosity and services:
Mr & Dr. Jayashiel & Lalitha Kakileti for giving the idea of web site, sponsoring the project and doing the initial work on it.
Mr. Christopher Bandari and his family for keeping our web site(www.tcfnj.com) uptodate.
Mr & Mrs. Alfred and Shanthi Bhaskar for donating a portable PA system.
Mr & Mrs. Emmanuel & Rebecca Jonnakuti for donating a conference style PA system and for the Telugu hymnals.
Dr & Mrs. Kotayya & Jayamani Kondaveeti for their generous donations over the years.
Mr & Mrs. Kent & Marguerite Charugundla for their generous gifts and encouragement.
Dr & Mrs. Robert & Grace Mallela for their generous support.
Mr & Dr. Rao & Aruna Ramanatham for their generous support. >
Mr & Mrs. Chakravarthi & Asha Dova for helping to meet some of our missionary committments. Mr & Mrs. Josiah Satya Srigiri for the data base work& TCF Conference souvenior .
Mr & Mrs. Prem & Esther Kankanala for the Monthly Bulletin and Ushers ministry & Telugu computer work.
Dr. Das Thadepalli for being an elder, making the yearly schedules and annual financial statements and for generous support over the years.
Dr & Mrs. Paul & Martha Mogadati for putting together and printing conference journal year after year.
Bro. Krupa Rao Mattegunta for being an elder, former treasurer, a generous donor and faithful member.
Rev. Dr. David Ravinder for the Good Friday messages, keynote address for TCF’s 20th anniversary and presiding TCF meetings on some occassions.
Bro. Emmanuel Kuraguntla for being our present treasurer. Annual membership of $100.00 per family may be paid to him.
Miss. Joanna Chigurupati for monthly bulletin in the past .
Mr & Mrs. Rao & Udaya Pulipati for their prayers and faithful support.
Mr & Mrs. Ebenezer & Sujatha Mallepalle for their labors of love in the kitchen and the dining area.
Myla families for their faithful services in cooking, serving and cleaning.
Mr & Dr. Joel & Beula Srigiri for their faithful support of the ministry. Kandavalli family for helping to form A.C. college alumni in US.
Pilli families for web site and other helps.
Bushi family for music help and support of the ministry.
Ravi and Deepthi Kollu family for participating in singing and formatting conference souvenior in the past.
Dundi family for giving rides and other helps.
Vishalkumar for giving rides and hospitality to the visitors. Maddela family for their loyalty to drive 2 hours with little kids from Connecticut and return home past midnight.
Ravi family for their commitment to drive for two and half hours from Connecticut, help with the music and quiz and return home very late.
Bellapu family for faithfully coming from Bronx.
Dibba family for dedicatedly coming fromBronx.
The last four families really made sacrifices to come to the meetings as it entailed not only time but money as well for the tolls and gasoline. Their example eliminates any excuses for any one of us not to come to the meetings. Of course all of us at one time or other will have legitimate excuses not to make it which is understandable.
TCF could not include every good deed done by it’s members for two reasons – space and not being able to recollect every detail in the past 25years for which TCF offers it’s sincere apologies but assures as more and more events and things done by members are recollected they will surely appear in this. Members could help by letting Dr. David Chigurupati know of things that need to be recognized. Members kindly understand that any omissions are an oversight and not intentional. God has taken note of each and everyone’s good deeds as He did in the case of Cornelius the Roman centurion in the book of Acts 10th chapter. Just about everyone did some good thing or other.
TCF is grateful to you.
TCF loves you and wishes to do even more with all your cooperation.
God richly bless you.