A NEW curate is getting ready to start his ministry in Rhyl.

A special service will take place at St Ann's Church on Sunday, August 25, to welcome Rev'd Christopher Spencer.

This will begin at 9.30am and will be led by the Archdeacon of St Asaph, the Venerable Andy Grimwood.

Chris, who is married to Emily and has two young daughters - Chloe, aged eight, and Leah, aged two - will serve the Aber-Morfa Mission Area.

Rhyl Journal:

Chris has a young family and is married to Emily

The Bishop of St Asaph, the Rt Revd Gregory Cameron, said: "We are pleased to welcome Chris and Emily and their young family to Rhyl and the Aber-Morfa Mission Area.

"Chris has a great enthusiasm for the Gospel and we look forward to seeing his ministry develop and flourish in Rhyl and the surrounding area."

Chris became a Christian at the age of 11 and since then, he has served in many churches in various roles.

He is currently an ordained deacon in the Church of England, working as a church and community worker for the Bristol and South Gloucestershire Methodist Circuit and as associate minister of St Anne’s Church, Oldland, in the Diocese of Bristol.

Before ordination in 2012, Chris had a range of jobs, including as a local government worker, landscape gardener and youth worker with Youth For Christ.

He was born in Leicester and as a child visited North Wales on holiday.

Chris enjoys being outdoors and visiting historical sites. Films, sport, and playing musical instruments also keep Chris busy in his free time.

On November 3, the Bishop will come to the mission area to commission Chris and the whole ministry team, including Glen Mansfield as Mission Area Leader, and the Rev’d Jayne Coxall, the newly licensed priest for Rhuddlan and Bodelwyddan.