The formation of AGIFNA began in the 1980s as a visionary initiative led by Rev. C. M. Verghese, a pioneering servant of God who played a key role in establishing the Malayalee Assemblies of God (AG) in the United States. During this transformative period, Malayalee Pentecostals began uniting across denominational boundaries. Recognizing the necessity for a cohesive community of ministers and believers committed to AG principles, Rev. Verghese, pastor of the International Christian AG Church (ICC) in New Jersey, shared his vision with fellow AG ministers in the Greater New York area, including Rev. V.S. George, Rev. K.P. Titus, and Rev. M.S. Mathai. After months of discussions, these conversations led to the establishment of the AG North Eastern Fellowship.
A crucial meeting in 1990 at the ICC convened numerous pastors and congregants, including Rev. K.P. Titus, Rev. Rajan Philip, Rev. Wilson Jose, and the late Rev. V.S. George, among others. This gathering resulted in Rev. K.P. Titus being elected as the Coordinator of the North Eastern Fellowship. The inaugural event organized under this Fellowship was a Regional Convention held in June 1991 at Susan B. Anthony High School in New York, which offered attendees a spiritually enriching experience.
In 1993, during the PCNAK meeting in Syracuse, AG pastors made a pivotal decision to organize the AG National Family Conference. A committed committee, headed by Rev. K.P. Titus (President), Rev. Kunjumon Daniel (Vice President), and others, worked tirelessly to plan this event, ultimately leading to the first Assemblies of God India Fellowship of North America (AGIFNA) conference in July 1995 at Martin Van Buren High School in New York. Despite its modest beginnings and limited facilities, the conference provided spiritual nourishment and cultivated a desire for ongoing fellowship.
Subsequent conferences in 1997 and 1999 were held at the AG Mahanaim Camp Site in Swan Lake, NY. While the accommodations were basic, the Holy Spirit’s presence created a vibrant atmosphere, which encouraged attendees to advocate for an annual conference.
In 2000, the conference relocated to Detroit, where we introduced enhanced hotel accommodations and organized transportation from major cities, including New York. Since that time, AG believers have traveled across North America to engage in these annual spiritual gatherings. Over the past 24 years, conferences have been held in key metropolitan areas with a significant Malayalee AG presence, such as Hartford (CT), Dallas (TX), Newark (NJ), and Toronto (Canada). The 25th Silver Jubilee Conference took place in Philadelphia, PA, in July 2023, followed by the 26th Conference in August 2024 in Ellenville, NY. We are now looking forward to the 27th Annual AGIFNA Family Conference, which will be held in Toronto, Canada, from July 24-27, 2025, and we eagerly anticipate an outpouring of His Word and Spirit, empowering each individual's life.