 |
 The
IDCF was founded as clusters of prayer groups about 5 decades ago
in a small town in South India by late Ven.
Yohannan Upadeshi. On being called by
the Almighty God, he started it as a small prayer group, not really
knowing how God intended to use him. Soon many, with different problems
of life began approaching him irrespective of their membership in
different churches or denominations and found solutions for their
problems, solace and comfort through Fasting Prayers. Thus, the foundation
of a great Fasting Prayer Ministry was laid. Ven. Yohannan Upadeshi
was called to his heavenly abode on 28th August 1966 and the mantle
of his ministry was taken by Ven. Babu Upadeshi under the guidance
of the Holy Spirit.
 Ven.
Babu Upadeshi reorganized the prayer groups founded by his
mentor late Ven. Yohannan Upadeshi, and renamed it as Inter Denominational
Christian Fellowship (IDCF) establishing it as a Fasting Prayer
Ministry. He continues to serve as its President to date.
The ministry began growing as hundreds and hundreds
experienced mighty miracles, deliverance from demons, wonderful
healings, and above all the life changing experience of the Holy
Spirit through fasting prayers. The headquarters of the ministry
was established at St. George Nagar, Mannar, Kerala, India. It now
houses the Yohannan Upadeshi Memorial Prayer Center which includes
the Yohannan Upadeshi Memorial Prayer Hall, the Retreat Center,
and the residences of its leaders. Besides these, the St. George
Ecumenical Chapel is also located here, in St. George Nagar, along
with the St. George Orphanage for girls and the St. George Home
for disabled women.
 The
ministry spread its wings outside India when the first IDCF unit
was formed in Dubai, under the leadership of Mathews Vergis (now
Bro. Dr. Mathews Vergis). Brother Mathews
Vergis had approached Ven. Babu Upadeshi in 1969 as a young college
student seeking answers to his life threatening problems and having
found answers through a 3 day fasting prayer, has ever since accepted
Ven. Babu Upadeshi as his mentor. Bro. Mathews Vergis was called
by the Almighty God for His work in the annual 3 day fasting prayer
in 1983. Under his dynamic leadership, the IDCF has grown phenomenally
outside India. In 1990, the title BROTHER was conferred upon Mathews
Vergis under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and in 1991, Bro. Mathews
Vergis was chosen as the President designate of the IDCF.
 In
1971, Sister Regi Daniel then a 16 year
old high school student hearing the call of God, decided to dedicate
her life to serve God and joined the ministry. Endowed with the
Gift of Prophecy and other precious gifts of the Holy Spirit, Sister
now serves as the treasurer of the IDCF and also as the director
of St. George Orphanage for girls.
Now the IDCF has its units in several foreign
countries and in many cities in India.
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