Universal Ministries Christian Fellowship [UMCF]

The Church for People

History

UMCF was founded in 1996 as a nondenominational church by Rev Dr. Reginald Simmons, who became its first Pastor. On January 9, 1997 UMCF began conducting bible studies at the Ramada Limited Hotel in Downtown Augusta. Its first worship services were held at Tobacco Road elementary School on March 30, 1997 (Easter Sunday) where 63 souls were in attendance: that year, Pastor Simmons Baptized ten believers on the 23^rd of August at the Bicentennial Chapel at Fort Gordon, Georgia. The Church celebrated its second anniversary on March 28, 1999, and during that same year purchased a 13 acre tract on GA Highway 56 in Richmond County, Georgia.

The Church celebrated a third anniversary on March 19, 2000; and a fifth anniversary celebrated on March 31, 2002.

In May 2006, Worship services were moved from the Tobacco Road Elementary School to its current location at 3350 Peach Orchard Road, Suite 809, Augusta, Georgia. Pastor Simmons tendered his resignation from the Pastorate of the church on October 2006, and Pastor V. Desmond Griffith was installed as pastor in December of UMCF in December 2006 when he officially took over the leadership role on December 31, 2006.

The church continued with its many fund raising events, primarily yard sales usually twice a year. Pastor Griffith baptized two different groups of believers (two & six). The church also held its revival Services on January 20, 21, and 23 of 2011 and celebrated its 14^th anniversary on May 15, 2011.