A priest to lead and oversee discipleship, vocation and training, as well as new forms of ministry and church growth will start work in north Wales next week.

The Revd Mike Haslam has been appointed to the new post of Director of Transforming Ministry for the Diocese of St Asaph and will be licensed by the Bishop of St Asaph on 17 November.

Mike, who is moving from the Diocese of Bath and Wells, has a background in chaplaincy, vocation and training, and 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, based in St Asaph.

Mike 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 to meet all of you where you are, listen, prayer, and, by God’s grace, be able to take the next steps with you.”

Mike 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.

The Bishop of St Asaph, the Rt Revd 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.”

Mike will be licensed in St Mary’s Church in Denbigh on Sunday 17 November, at 3.30pm, alongside the Revd Dan Morgan and the Revd Sam Quilty who will become Priests-in-Charge in Denbigh Mission Area.

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