A CHURCH which has been without a permanent pastor for almost a decade has welcomed a new minister.

American Ken Houghten has moved to Kirby-le-Soken and has now taken over the reins at the village’s Evangelical Church, in The Street.

More than 100 people gathered at the church for a special welcome service last weekend.

Mr Houghten was born in Michigan, but has spent the last 34 years in the UK.

For the past two years, he has been working at a church in Bedfordshire and has a part-time role supporting missionaries across Europe, but has now moved to Kirby with wife Dawn to start his new position.

Mr Houghten said: “We just love it here. We’ve worked across the country and now we have been in Kirby for just a month.

“It’s the first time we have been so far east but we’re really enjoying it so far. We have been given a really wonderful welcome. There is a great community feel here and we’re looking forward to getting to know everyone.”

It has been nine years since the last permanent pastor left the Kirby church.

Church deacon Keith Munford said: “The church members are looking forward to this new era in the life of the church.”