An Authentic Indian Church Community.

We invite you and your family to join us every Sunday at 12:00 PM at 202 S. Genesee St. in Waukegan for Vertical Encounter Indian Church. From the moment you arrive, you can expect a warm welcome, a family-friendly environment, heartfelt worship, practical biblical teaching, and authentic community. Our heart is to create a place where Indian families can feel at home, build meaningful friendships, and grow together in their faith.

Whether you are new to church, exploring faith, or searching for a spiritual home, there is a place for you here. We understand how important family, belonging, and community are, and we want every service to reflect that. This is a space where parents, children, and individuals can come together to experience God in a real way and be part of a supportive church family. Bring the whole family and discover a community where faith and family grow together.

Sam Paul and Jeevitha Nandhakumar, originally from Chennai, India, have been married since 2010 and are the proud parents of Pearlin Melodia S.J. and Blessen Olive S.J. With a deep love for God and people, they are planting Vertical Encounter – Indian Church, a life-giving community focused on reaching and discipling the Indian diaspora.

They believe God has uniquely positioned them to impact unreached Indian families and future generations by creating a church where people can encounter Jesus, grow in authentic community, and live out their calling.

Together, the S.J. family is planting with the support of the Assemblies of God, Church Multiplication Network, and their parent church—launching a movement of hope, healing, and purpose for Indian families.

We are a welcoming, family-centered community where first- and second-generation individuals and families can truly belong. Our vibrant environment celebrates Indian language and culture, passing it on to the next generation with joy and intention. We also stay deeply connected to our roots in India through visiting pastors, mission support, and meaningful media that keeps our heritage alive.

Our Indian church extends beyond Sunday gatherings, building meaningful community through life groups, cottage prayer meetings, and shared meals that celebrate our culture. We create safe spaces to navigate real-life challenges like visa experiences, while encouraging the next generation to embrace their heritage through language and tradition. As a mission-driven community, we are passionate about reaching the Indian diaspora across the U.S., inspiring people to go, send, and live on mission with purpose.

We embrace a dynamic, multicultural worship experience that reflects the beauty of God’s diverse family. We are passionate about church planting, helping launch new congregations while guiding individuals to discover their God-given purpose. At the same time, we intentionally empower the next generation to lead, ensuring their voices shape the future of our community with passion and conviction.