The Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI) has launched a series of events leading up to its 75th anniversary, beginning with a kickoff at the All India Congress on Church in Mission (AICOCIM) this week. Founded in 1951, EFI has grown into a prominent evangelical network recognized across the country and beyond.
Outlining the plans, its General Secretary, Rev. Vijayesh Lal, stressed that the anniversary is both an occasion for thanksgiving and a call to renewed prayer, unity, and witness.
“The theme cannot be anything else but ‘To God be the glory,’” Lal said. “We want to celebrate 75 years of his faithfulness.”
Lal recalled that the formation of EFI in 1951 came shortly after India’s independence and was part of a wider evangelical initiative to bring churches together. Its earliest projects included launching the Union Biblical Seminary in 1953, which has since trained generations of pastors and leaders. And over the decades, EFI has been involved in the launch and growth of several other key ministries and networks from missions to healthcare, legal and educational initiatives.
“Since independence, the story of EFI has largely been the story of the evangelical movement in India,” Lal said.
75 weeks of prayer
The centerpiece of the anniversary celebrations will be a 75-week prayer initiative, scheduled to begin later this year. EFI is inviting churches and member organizations across India to commit to uninterrupted prayer for the duration of the campaign.
“We want to encourage the constituency of EFI to take turns so that the chain of prayer is not broken for 75 weeks,” Lal explained. “Prayer of thanksgiving to God, and prayer that this nation will be saturated with the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ in our generation.”
The initiative will involve denominations, local congregations, and individuals, who will be asked to sign up for designated times of prayer.
Alongside the prayer effort, EFI plans a series of national and regional gatherings to mark the milestone. A Christmas dinner will be hosted in New Delhi later this year, with additional dinners planned in other cities. In 2026, EFI will hold regional thanksgiving services across India, giving churches opportunities to gather locally to express gratitude for God’s work and to strengthen bonds of fellowship.
EFI also intends to designate “EFI Sundays” when churches can invite representatives to share updates on its ministry and encourage congregational participation.
Strengthening the evangelical identity
Lal emphasized that the 75th anniversary is not only a time of remembrance but also of preparation for EFI’s 100th year in 2051. The organization plans to compile digital archives, publish a book documenting its history from 1951 to the present, and create a time capsule containing documents and memorabilia to be opened at the centenary.
“We want to prepare a legacy for the centenary,” Lal said. “I know for sure I will not be there in 2051, but somebody will be there, and they will take it forward.”
EFI leaders hope these symbolic and practical initiatives will strengthen evangelical identity across denominations and equip the Church to meet the challenges today and in the future.
“Evangelicals are not a denomination,” he said. “You find evangelicals in every denomination. If you’ve been saved by grace through faith, if you believe in living a holy life, if you believe in sharing the gospel, and if you are waiting for the Lord’s return, you are an evangelical.”
He said the outcome of the 75th anniversary process should be greater unity, renewed discipleship, and a stronger prophetic witness for Christ. “We hope it will bind evangelicals together across India, renew leadership and witness, and strengthen prayer movements,” he added.
The kickoff celebration concluded with symbolic prayers led by both senior and younger leaders, highlighting the importance of intergenerational continuity. Participants prayed for faithfulness, humility, and courage as EFI enters its next chapter.
“As we celebrate the past 75 years, we also look forward to the future for the things God has in store for us and for our generations,” one leader prayed. “Our land needs healing, our families need healing, and our generations need to hear the gospel.”
Lal closed by pointing to God’s faithfulness through EFI’s journey: “Thus far the Lord has helped us, and he will lead us into the future that we do not know.”
EFI’s anniversary cycle will continue until December 2027, when the series of events formally concludes.
