A NEW Church has opened its doors in Bishop Auckland.

Influence Church held it’s first official service in the town last week, with a congregation of more than 200 people.

The service was held in Bishop Auckland Baptist Church on Cockton Hill Road, an existing church that has opened it’s building to support the new community.

Influence Church is a Pentecostal denomination affiliated to the Assemblies of God network. Leaders say it is one church in four locations and existing congregations currently meet in Richmond, Barnard Castle and Penrith.

Last Sunday saw a special launch service for the Bishop Auckland church. It was supported by congregation members from other Influence Church locations, as well as people from Bishop Auckland, West Auckland, Durham and the surrounding villages.

During the service there was praise and worship with a full live band, videos about the new church in the area, an interactive children’s programme and a message from Pastor Ben Dowding.

Pastors Ben and Gale Dowding, who live in Richmond, are the senior ministers of all four locations.

Reverend Dowding: “We really loved our first night in Bishop. We had lines of people outside the building waiting for church. When the doors opened, it was so exciting to see over 200 people coming into the building, ready to worship. We can’t wait to see what happens as we continue to build church in this community.”

A weekly Sunday service will be held at 5pm. All services will include a full children’s programme those aged three to 11 and parenting facilities for younger children. For more information visit influencechurch.co.uk/bishopauckland