Another key appointment has been announced as part of an ambitious outreach programme aimed at deprived urban estates in Lancashire.

Javier Salcido is the new Pioneer Youth Evangelist for Blackpool Centre of Mission on Grange Park in Blackpool – an initiative which is a partnership between Blackburn Diocese and the Church Army.

Working with the churches of St Mark’s, Layton and St Luke’s, Staining, plus Lead Evangelist for the Centre of Mission, Captain Matthew Rowley, Javier will be sharing the Christian faith in the Grange Park community; making new disciples and helping the new Hope Community church to grow.

He will also be working across Blackpool and Poulton Deaneries, assisting the Anglican churches in mission and evangelism to young people, aged 10-18.

The funding for the role will come out of a grant awarded to the Diocese in December 2017 as part of The Church of England’s ‘Renewal and Reform’ initiative. 

Javier was born in Mexico and has worked with churches and mission organisations in Africa, the USA and Europe. Most recently he has been studying theology in Durham.

Speaking about the appointment today Javier said: “For more than 20 years, I have had a sense of calling to serve God as a full-time evangelist and I have dedicated most of my adult life to follow that call. My evangelistic vocation has directed me to join in God’s mission and desire for people to come to the knowledge of his love and salvation.”

Captain Matthew Rowley added: “We are very excited about Javier joining us in Blackpool. We are making big plans for connecting with high schools in the local area and we know that Javier will bring a great deal to that ministry of reaching young people and helping other churches to do the same.”

Rev. Peter Lillicrap from St Mark’s, Layton and St Luke’s, Staining said: “It is really exciting to have Javier join the Centre of Mission team to take on the role of Pioneer Youth Evangelist for both Grange Park and the wider Blackpool area.”

Rt Rev. Philip North, the Bishop of Burnley, has been closely involved in supporting the plans in Blackpool.

He commented: “If we are serious about the renewal of the Church, we must commit ourselves afresh to proclaiming the Good News to the poor. In this context the Blackpool Centre of Mission is playing a crucial role in transforming the way we spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ on Grange Park and, by extension, on urban estates in the Fylde Coast and Lancashire and across The Church of England. Javier’s appointment will bring fresh impetus to this work.”

Ronnie Semley, March 2020