THE Rev Phil Mutsamdiwa, a Zimbabwean clergyman, is starting a new church in York tomorrow.

Mr Mutsamdiwa launches his Forward In Faith Ministries International at a 1pm service at the Central Methodist Church, in St Saviourgate.

The worldwide Pentacostal church, founded in Harare by Archbishop Dr Ezekiel H Guti in 1960, already uses Methodist churches in most major towns and cities of Yorkshire including Leeds, Bradford, Hull, Halifax, Barnsley and Wakefield.

But by opening in York the church can now cater for at least five families who have to regularly travel all the way from York to Leeds to worship – and it aims to recruit new members.

The arrangement is that the Methodists have the church up until noon every day and then the new church takes over the building with its singing, dancing, prayer and food. Mr Mutsamdiwa said: “Everyone is welcome. It is a very exuberant service. It’s a case of Hallelujah brother! Keep on going! Amen! Amen!”