Minister marks fifty years in the Lord’s service

During the service, the congregational praise was led by Jackie Moore who presided at the organ, who was accompanied by David Moore who presided at the piano.

Dr Greenfield, on accordion, led the singing of a selection of well known choruses including, ‘Because He lives’ and ‘Victory in Jesus’ and concluded as the children joined him at the front of the church as they sang, ‘Jesus loves me’.

Also taking part in the service was the Gospel praise group ‘Kingdom Heirs’ in which both Fred’s son and son-in-law are members; the men sang a great selection of well known Gospel hymns including, ‘Amazing grace’, ‘The plan of salvation’ and ‘Jesus saves’.

When Dr Greenfield left school and began to work in a factory in Belfast he met with a number of Christians working in the factory, one of them was his cousin Jim Fox.

Jim asked Fred to attend a meeting in Ravenhill Free Presbyterian Church to hear Dr Ian Paisley preach the gospel.

At the beginning the young apprentice made some excuse but on the 21st February 1965 both Fred and another cousin Billy Halliday accompanied Jim to Ravenhill.

During the service the words of the text from Genesis 6v2 were quoted, “My spirit shall not always strive with man”. This text awakened Fred to the danger of further delay and when an appeal was made at the close of the service and Fred went into a counselling room.

He waited there for a few minutes and in to the room came his cousin Billy and then Dr Paisley who opened the Bible and explained the way of Salvation and both Fred and Billy received Christ as Saviour. Immediately after his conversion Fred became increasingly involved in the work of Ravenhill Free Presbyterian Church and in less than two years after being saved he felt the call of God to the ministry of the Free Presbyterian Church.

Whilst training for the ministry and sharing in a Gospel mission with the Rev William Beattie in Castlerobin Orange Hall, Fred met a young Christian lady Jean Richardson. They became friendly and that friendship matured into love and the developing relationship led to the wedding of Fred and Jean in September of 1971.

Fred and Jean were blessed with three children - Anne, Paul and Naomi. Their children were converted early in life.

Throughout his ministry Fred has been known as a Gospel singer and over the years has released seven gospel tapes and CDs.

For the last eight years he has been minister of Dunmurry Free Presbyterian Church and his prayer is that many will come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as their own and personal Saviour.