A new reverend was ordained at a Chipperfield church this afternoon, though he admits he did not expect to become a man of the cloth five years ago.

Reverend Jason Gain was ordained at Chipperfield Baptist Church, in The Street, in front of a congregation of about 130 people.

The 41-year-old only discovered his faith at the age of 21 and says he did not expect to become a priest when he left his job working for IT giant Fujitsu.

“All I knew was that I didn't want to be in IT any more. It took me a while to decide to do this but you can't fight what is meant to be. The ordination is a big event for the whole community and is about the whole church and others recognising that God has called you to do this.”

The ordination will be the first in living memory at the church, which dates back to 1836, and Reverend Gain will be filling a position that has been empty for many years.

He has been married for 19 years and has three children – two sons, aged 14 and 16, and a daughter, aged 12.

The newly-appointed reverend trained for three years at the Chipperfield church and says he is looking forward to continuing projects he has helped set up in that time.

“I hope to be doing more of the same. I have led groups in church before but I am looking forward to my new role. It is a real pleasure to be here.”