A HUSBAND and wife have been appointed to two new roles within the county by the Church of England.

The Rev Nicky Smith, 35, and the Rev Andy Smith, 36 will undertake the roles of Director of Ministry Development and Growing Younger Enabler, respectively after being appointed by The Church of England in Cumbria.

The young couple have previously built a hugely successful church plant in Southampton. Last August the family felt called to mission in Thailand and sold all their belongings to fly out too Bankok.

Nicky said: "I feel that God has called me to this new job. Something lit up inside of me as I read the job description. I’m so looking forward to drawing alongside people across the county to hear their stories and to help them discern what plans God has for them.”

Andy, whose role will see him look to grow work with young people, said: “We arrived back in the UK in January basically homeless, unemployed and with the world in the middle of a global pandemic but just a few weeks later we found ourselves appointed to these roles! We are both delighted to be here in Cumbria."

The pair first met at a student church in 2004 whilst at university in Southampton.

They have set up home in the village of Threlkeld with their three children ,Olive, 12, Etienne, 10, and Amélie, 9.

Welcoming them to their roles, the Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Rev James Newcome, said: “We are delighted to have both Nicky and Andy join us, particularly at such a pivotal moment for our ecumenical county as we look to build on our joint God for All vision and strategy to follow daily, speak boldly, care deeply and tread gently."