A priest has been appointed with the goal of leading and overseeing discipleship, vocation, and training, as well as new forms of ministry and church growth, within the Diocese of St Asaph.

The Reverend Mike Haslam will start his role as Director of Transforming Ministry next week.

Mr Haslam will be moving from the Diocese of Bath and Wells, and has a background in chaplaincy, vocation, and training, as well as supporting lay and ordained ministry.

He will be living in the Archdeaconry of Montgomery and working across the whole diocese as part of the Diocesan Office team, which is based in St Asaph.

Mr Haslam will work with the recently re-vamped Transforming Ministry Steering Group, previously known as the Developing Steering Group.

Among his early tasks will be to develop vocations and training, look at ways of using digital technology for discipleship, and implement new models of lay and ordained ministry.

Mr Haslam will be licensed by the Bishop of St Asaph on November 17 at St Mary's Church, in Denbigh, at 3.30pm, alongside the Reverend Dan Morgan and the Reverend Sam Quilty, who will become Priests-in-Charge in Denbigh Mission Area.

Mr Haslam said: "I'm really looking forward to joining the Teulu Asaph as Director of Transforming Ministry.

"I sometimes introduce myself with the words: 'Faith, family, friends (including furry ones), and fell-running.'

"Over the years I've been a parish priest, chaplain, and diocesan adviser.

"My ministry has focused on work with churches, schools, chaplaincies, and a wide range of other partners, and takes faith into the public square.

"I hope and pray that all of this, and my love of Wales, will enable me to meet all of you where you are, listen, pray, and, by God's grace, be able to take the next steps with you."

The Bishop of St Asaph, the Right Reverend Gregory Cameron, said: "I’m delighted to welcome Mike to the Family of our Diocese.

"Mike comes from the Diocese of Bath and Wells in the Church of England, where his work in ministry and with chaplaincy has won him a strong reputation.

"He will bring enthusiasm and expertise to the new role of supporting our clergy and the development of the ministry we offer."

The Diocese of St Asaph is one of the six dioceses of the Church in Wales, part of the worldwide Anglican Communion.