The Church Mission Society has begun its search for a new Executive Director.

It is asking supporters to pray as it seeks a successor to current leader the Rev Canon Tim Dakin, who has been appointed as the next Bishop of Winchester.

The recruitment process for Community Leader and Executive Director is being overseen by Martyn Snow, Vice-chair of Trustees.

The agency, founded in 1799, is looking for “an extraordinary individual” who is “a spiritually mature, committed Christian, passionate about mission and prayer, who can be a compelling role model for the evangelical ideals, ethos and values of CMS”.

They must also be an “exceptional communicator of vision, inspiring faith and hope in others” with a strong track record of leading change in an influential, complex organisation.

Mr Snow said the appointment panel had received lots of feedback from supporters about the role.

“I am therefore writing to ask for your continued prayers for the process," he wrote in a message to supporters.

christians are being invited to pray each Friday at noon until the new appointment is made.

Mr Snow has sent out the following prayer for them to use:

God of grace,
we thank you for CMS
and for all your faithful servants
whom you have called as leaders of this community.
Send your Holy Spirit
to guide and direct all who have responsibility
for the choice of a new leader.
Grant them discernment, vision and unity
and keep us all faithful in prayer;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

The closing date for applications is the end of December and the various stages of shortlisting and interviewing will take place in January and early February.