10/09/2012

New Free Presbyterian Moderator Seeks To 'Advance Christ's Kingdom'

A Ballymena cleric has been appointed the new Moderator of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster.

Rev John Greer is the third man to lead the church in its 61-year history.

His predecessor Rev Ron Johnstone took over from the denomination's founder Rev Ian Paisley in 2008.

Rev Greer, 58, became a minister in the church in 1978 and established a branch of the church in Philadelphia in the USA.

The father-of-six said he sees the role of Moderator as being chairman of the Ulster presbytery and using the position to evangelise and grow the church.

He said: "My ministerial and moderatoral goals are entirely spiritual and Biblical, with a concentration on missionary and youth work. Our aim is to advance Christ’s kingdom through our active church witness."

The leadership change was confirmed at a meeting in Lurgan on Friday night, and tributes were paid to the outgoing Moderator's service.

Under new rules at the 15,000-member church, a Moderator must serve three-year terms and can only serve three consecutive yearly terms.

(NE)

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