Inter-Collegiate Prayer Fellowship

Intercollegiate Prayer Fellowship
AbbreviationICPF
Founded1980 (1980)
FounderProf. Mathew P. Thomas
TypeChristian student fellowship
FocusCollege and university campuses
OriginsKerala, India
Motto
Impacting the new generation
President
Dr. K. Muralidar
Religious affiliations
Evangelical
Websitehttps://www.icpfglobal.com

Inter-Collegiate Prayer Fellowship (ICPF) is the largest indigenous evangelical Christian campus ministry in India. It was founded in Kerala in 1980.[1][2][3] It operates through student-led campus prayer cells and regional structures, focusing on evangelism, leadership training, discipleship, and social awareness.[4][5][6][7]

History

ICPF originated from evangelical student gospel camps held at Charalkunnu, Kerala, beginning in the early 1970s under the leadership of Prof. Mathew P. Thomas. It was formally founded in 1980 to organize widespread campus ministry efforts.[6][8] Dr. K. Muralidar is the president of the organisation and has led the ministry for many decades.[9] During his college days, Christian missionary Saju John Mathew spearheaded the movement to new heights and Stanley George started the chapter in Bangalore.[10][11][12]

Initially staffed by volunteers, ICPF expanded to multiple Indian states, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Punjab, Gujarat, Delhi, West Bengal, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu with more than 80 staff workers and over 500 campus units established by the early 2000s.[7][13]

The ministry emphasizes interdenominational fellowship by bridging church divisions for shared Gospel outreach and relies on prayer and voluntary contributions for operations. [7][14][15]

Activities and Outreach

ICPF conducts campus prayer meetings, Bible study groups, awareness programs addressing issues such as substance abuse, and larger youth camps and retreats. It also provides financial assistance through Educational and Marriage Funds and operates mobile healthcare units serving rural communities.[16][6][17] ICPF launched mobile outreach teams—named ANGELOS I (1980) and ANGELOS II (1996)—equipped with sound systems and musical instruments to carry the Gospel to college campuses and street gatherings across India.[18][19][20]

Organization

ICPF is organised as a registered society, guided by an executive committee under the leadership of founding visionary Prof. Mathew P. Thomas, with Dr. K. Muraleedhar serving as president and other appointed national leaders. Its structure includes graduate-based prayer support chapters across India and abroad.[8]

See also

References

  1. ^ John, Stanley J. Valayil C. (2018-02-19). Transnational Religious Organization and Practice: A Contextual Analysis of Kerala Pentecostal Churches in Kuwait. BRILL. ISBN 978-90-04-36101-0.
  2. ^ "ICPF (Inter Collegiate Prayer Fellowship)". www.demontfortsu.com. Archived from the original on 2025-03-22. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  3. ^ "Inter Collegiate Prayer Fellowship Society". hertssu.com. Archived from the original on 2025-06-23. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  4. ^ Singh, Kamlesh; Saxena, Gaurav (2023-07-31). Religious and Spiritual Practices in India: A Positive Psychological Perspective. Springer Nature. ISBN 978-981-99-2397-7.
  5. ^ Publication, A. LIFE (2024-07-22). Spiritual Encounters: Testimonies from Healthcare Professionals. WestBow Press. ISBN 979-8-3850-2636-4.
  6. ^ a b c "Inter Collegiate Prayer Fellowship India". The Christian Post. 3 December 2003. Archived from the original on 2023-03-12. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  7. ^ a b c "Inter Collegiate Prayer Fellowship India". The Gospel Herald. Archived from the original on 2025-01-19. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  8. ^ a b "About Us - ICPF International". ICPF International. Archived from the original on 2022-07-06. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  9. ^ Publication, A. LIFE (2024-07-22). Spiritual Encounters: Testimonies from Healthcare Professionals. WestBow Press. ISBN 979-8-3850-2636-4.
  10. ^ John, Stanley J. Valayil C. (2018-02-19). Transnational Religious Organization and Practice: A Contextual Analysis of Kerala Pentecostal Churches in Kuwait. BRILL. ISBN 978-90-04-36101-0.
  11. ^ "Evangelist SAJU JOHN MATHEW - Malayalam Christian Radio Network". 2016-03-16. Archived from the original on 2025-06-17. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  12. ^ "Evg. Saju John Mathew". MGM Ministries. Archived from the original on 2023-06-06. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  13. ^ "ICPF Global". ICPF Global. Archived from the original on 2025-04-01. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  14. ^ "ICPF USA". ICPF USA. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  15. ^ Burley, Jamira (2011-03-15). Temple University 2012. College Prowler. ISBN 978-1-4274-9737-6.
  16. ^ Kaur, Interview by Surinder (2023-12-07). "The 'Soul of India' Now Lives in Its Cities. Is the Local Church Ready?". Christianity Today. Archived from the original on 2025-01-14. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  17. ^ GoodNews, Online (2025-08-21). "ICPF അഹ്‌മദാബാദ് ഏകദിന ക്യാമ്പ് ഓഗ.27 ന്". Online GoodNews. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  18. ^ "Ministries - ICPF International". ICPF International. Archived from the original on 2023-09-22. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  19. ^ ലേഖകൻ, സ്വന്തം (2025-07-10). "പാസ്റ്റേഴ്സ് സെമിനാർ". Maruppacha. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  20. ^ Singh, Kamlesh; Saxena, Gaurav (2023-07-31). Religious and Spiritual Practices in India: A Positive Psychological Perspective. Springer Nature. ISBN 978-981-99-2397-7.
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