A NEW minister has been appointed at Christchurch Christian Centre.

Adam Lee, 27, has become senior pastor at the centre, which was formerly called Millhams Street Elim Church.

He succeeds Pastor Ralph Winter-Smith, who stood down after 37 years in the post.

Pastor Lee has moved into the area from Blackpool, where he was assistant pastor at the Gatehouse Elim Church.

He said: “I have been a minister for about seven years. I’ve been in Blackpool all my life and used to be a minister there.

“I suddenly felt that it was right to relocate to South-bourne and obviously the church is close by in Christchurch.

“I am there most days a week.”

His role as new minister started with an induction service which he said had gone “really well”.

“I met a lot of the other local ministers, which was brilliant,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to working in a new com-munity, and would like to say that people are more than welcome to pop by and say hello – I’m happy to help anybody I can.”

He was welcomed to the church along with his wife Lisa and their son Judah.

Ralph Winter-Smith had announced last November that he felt the time was right to step aside. He and his wife Terri were thanked for their faithful ministry over the years.

Christchurch Christian Centre (CCC) said on its website: “This is a huge change for us here in Christchurch but we know God has great things ahead both for them and for us as a church.

“We support Ralph and Terri in their decision.

“We are very grateful to God that with a new senior pastor leading us forward.

“It will be upon the deep foundations that God has been preparing over these last few years.

“We believe this is all part of and in readiness for the growth that we are expecting here at CCC. The Lord Jesus Christ is building His Church.”