The Christian Fellowship Centre (CFC)

Patel & Julie founded the Christian Fellowship Centre (CFC) in 1994 in the tribal village of Janakpur, MP, India. It is a non-denominational Christian Centre which is totally self funded, receiving no financial assistance from the government or any Christian organisations. The Patel’s rely on generous donations from foreign friends who have been touched by the Patel’s mission, faith and endurance.

The CFC is registered with the Indian Government as a Charitable Organisation. It’s motto is to “Serve the Society” through providing affordable Education, Boarding and Medical assistance to all who need it, especially the poor and needy.

With donations the Patel and Julie have built a family home, church, elementary & secondary school buildings, boarding hostels, staff quarters and a small medical clinic.   

The Church
The CFC’s Church was rarely used in its early years as the locals practiced Hinduism and government officials were worried about  conversion so they banned Christian services. For many years, clandestine services were held each week amongst the few Christians in the region. Little by little the officials realized that Patel’s aim was not to convert the locals but to “Serve their needs”. The success of the New Life English School is testament to his aim. Now, people from villages far away flock to attend the Sunday services. I once met a man who had spent two days walking 60 kms to hear Patel’s service. Locals and tribals, rich and poor all congregate every Sunday morning to listen to Patel’s words of wisdom.

NEW LIFE ENGLISH SCHOOL
The New Life English School currently has over 500 students. Grades are from nursery, through Elementary up to Junior High School. The students range in ages from 3 to 16 years old. Over 170 of the students come from villages and cities up to 300 kms away and board at the centre’s three hostels.

Nursery classes are held in the disused hen house, the same place that NLES started its life, and a small, basic building serves as a kindergarten. The main school building is an eight classroom elementary school and the newest addition is a four roomed Junior High School, which opened in 2002.

HOSTELS
Laura Tate
Laura Tate is a British woman who sent the funds to build a new church, house and their first boarding hostel.    

Adrienne Farrelly
I visited the centre for the first time in 1989 and was struck by the Patel’s courage, faith and determination.  I raised funds to build a new wing for their school and a children’s boarding hostel.

Chris Greene
Chris Greene is a US Citizen based in Japan.  He heard about the plight of the New Life English and raised funds to assist with buildings at the Centre. A Hostel has been named in his honour.

Medical Clinic
When the first wing of the elementary school was built by donations from Dr. Benson, President of American Ambassadors Abroad, a small medical clinic was attached. Patel wanted to help the poor by providing free medical treatment but it was impossible for him to attract any medical staff to such a remote region.  So, to this day, the Medical Clinic lays idle. It awaits a benefactor to bring it to life so it can help with other’s lives.

HINDI CLASSES
Sadly, there are still many poor villagers who can’t afford to send their children to a local school. Their children will remain illiterate for life, resulting in never ending poverty. Patel has started classes in small villages to teach children basic Hindi reading, writing and maths and Shanghai Properties are supporting these. We hope to eventually open small village schools in the near future.