New Durham vicar knows all about spreading the word of the Lord

The Revd Arun Arora, who is to take over at St Nic's in the Market Place, is currently the director of communications for the National Institutions of the Church of England.

He's no stranger to the city either, having trained for the ordained ministry 10 years ago at Cranmer Hall in Durham.

Announcing his appointment, the Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend Paul Butler, said: “I am delighted that Arun has agreed to come to the Diocese of Durham and serve as vicar of St Nicholas.

"It has been my privilege to work closely with Arun in his current national role. He will bring great gifts to St Nic's for the next phase of its life at the heart of Durham city centre.

"He and his family will be welcomed very warmly into this new role.”

Rev Arora said he is "excited and thrilled" at the thought of returning to the North East and working at St Nic’s.

"I am very much looking forward to the opportunities of ministering in a city centre church once more and living out the love of Jesus to those in the Market Place and to a growing student community.

“I will miss the Church House community and in particular the exceptional individuals who make up the comms team.

"I am pleased to be leaving behind a strong, motivated and highly-talented team who will continue to support the wider church in communicating the good news of Jesus Christ and the work of His Church in a way that inspires, informs and leads debates on faith and the gospel in today’s fast paced and ever-changing communications environment.”

Having originally trained and practised as an employment lawyer for a trade union law firm, Rev Arora worked as director of communications for the Diocese of Birmingham and as press officer to Bishop Mark Santer and then Bishop John Sentamu, before training for the priesthood at Cranmer Hall in Durham.

He served his curacy in North Yorkshire whilst serving as director of communications to the Archbishop of York. He subsequently led a fresh expression of Church - Wolverhampton Pioneer Ministries - before taking up his current post in 2012.

Rev Arora is expected to take up his post in July.