Rev. Dr. Welton Fields, Jr.
Pastor Fields willingness to lead and make personal sacrifices came early in his adult life with his volunteering to serve militarily our Country in 1968 and acknowledging God’s call to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ while serving in Vietnam.
That same year, he was licensed to preach by the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Logan West Virginia; where, he, following intense study, was ordained in 1970.
Fields, who was formerly employed as a manager with Bell Atlantic Telephone, relocated his family to the Washington, DC area in May 1986. He joined the Ministerial Staff at Canaan Baptist Church, where he faithfully served under the auspices of Reverend Dr. Cornelius Carter.
While all of the above was going on in his life, Reverend Fields continued his preparation to preach and teach by attaining a Bachelor of Theology and a Master of Divinity from Andersonville Baptist Seminary in 1994 and 1997, respectively, where he was bestowed the prestigious Seminarian of the Year Award. In May 1998, the Faith Bible College and Seminary conferred upon Reverend Fields a well-earned Doctorate of Philosophy.
In January 1988, Reverend Fields accepted the position as Pastor of the Southern Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. In January 1994, Pastor Fields placed his faith and fate, totally, in the Hands of the Lord. He resigned his career to devote his full attention to pastoral ministry.
Yielding to God’s purpose for him, Doctor Fields remains an obedient Under Shepherd – a highly anointed Preacher and Teacher of the Gospel. As he followed God on this journey, the world has seen many parishioners mature spiritually and many new disciples surrender their lives to the Lord. In order to reach out and advance God’s Kingdom, the flock increased and new and expanded outreach programs outgrew the walls of the Minnesota Avenue location. This growth meant a new Church site. To that end, the Church purchased a site, across from the Suitland Metro, where a new edifice was to be constructed. But, God had a different plan for this dynamic Church. God, and only God, made it possible for this small, but growing Congregation, to purchase its current Temple Hills edifice, which consists of a 94,000 square foot building and 13 acres.
Continuing to pursue the vision from God, Southern Friendship is a “beacon” to those seeking the Lord, through many new and expanded avenues of thirty-three ministries. At Southern Friendship, there is a place to serve and opportunities to be of service.
Pastor Fields served as a former President of the National Capital Baptist Convention of Washington DC & Vicinity (NCBC); served as an Instructor for the National Capital Baptist Congress of Christian Education; faculty member of Faith Bible College and Seminary; Member, Board of Directors, National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.; and is a member of The Baptist Ministers' Conference of Washington, DC & Vicinity.
Internationally, Pastor Fields is currently the President of Four Corners International Mission, Inc.; he led the effort to collect over 60,000 pairs of shoes to fund the drilling of two fresh water wells in Kenya, where he visited in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 and included Uganda in 2012, 2014, 2015; the building of two new dormitories; two complete bath rooms; new kitchen; facilitated workshops for local pastors; retrofitted the medical clinic; and brought the Word to over 2000 souls.
In 2013 Pastor Fields visited Israel, as part of a twenty-two-member delegation, representing the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., hosted by the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).
At home, Pastor actively supports various community events, Prince George’s County Council and the Maryland State Legislature.
Pastor Fields is jubilantly married to Lady Mary K. Fields. They are the proud parents of Andrea, Brian and Nicole; and Grandpa and Grandma to Nicholas, Ariel, Philip, Antonio, Roland and Zoe.