Rev Yemi Adedeji has been appointed as an Associate Director for HOPE. He will be consulting for HOPE, building up networks and bringing different church networks and denominations together for the purpose of united mission.

This additional part-time role with HOPE fits very well with Rev Adedeji's continuing position as Pastoral aide to the Senior Pastor at Jesus House, fostering ecumenical engagement and external relations for the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). He is also an Ordained Anglican Priest and a member of the Pastoral council of the RCCG.

Rev Adedeji sits alongside Bishop Wayne Malcolm and many other key leaders on the HOPE leadership team. After consultation, this leadership team suggested the strategic appointment as a move to encourage a wider involvement in HOPE from across church networks and denominations, and to strengthen partnerships with the Black Majority Churches.

The dynamic preacher has a passion to resource and encourage local and national churches to transform their communities together, through word and action mission.

Rev Yemi Adedeji said: "I get excited about the HOPE vision - particularly unity for the purpose of Mission. The Black Majority churches do things a little differently but I have a passion for allowing churches of every tradition, culture and style to work together in their communities. There are huge opportunities for the diverse Church throughout the UK to make an impact in our nation."

HOPE was launched at the Festival of Life, at the Excel Centre in July, last year. The all-night prayer gathering hosted by the Redeeemed Christian Church of God saw thousands pray together for unity of purpose.

Pastor Agu Irukwu, Senior Pastor at Jesus House said: "We are delighted to see Rev Adedeji spend some time deepening partnerships across the UK Church. We dream of a time when Baptists, Evangelicals, Methodists, Pentecostals, Charismatics, Catholics, Free Church, Anglicans and so many more will all come together, no matter what background they are from. They will come together and be the Church - a Church without walls that is making an impact."

With a background that includes twelve years of Retail Management experience leading large teams at Debenhams and Marks and Spencer, Rev Adedeji then joined the Church of England Church Mission Society. He served as the Outreach and New Relationship Adviser to over 2,000 Anglican churches in the UK and to mission outlets all over the world. He became the first African Trustee/Director in the 210 years history of the CMS.

Roy Crowne, Executive Director of HOPE said: "We are thrilled to have Yemi as part of our team to help us develop a larger strategy to encompass more denominations and cultures to do more together, in words and actions and answer the call to relevant mission. We need to celebrate diversity and understand that we have strengths when we work together for the sake of those outside of the kingdom. "

Bishop Wayne Malcolm, the senior pastor of Christian Life City Church, said that the continuation of HOPE is a bottom up, grassroots revival. He said: "The desire to collaborate across denominational, ethnic and cultural lines, for the purpose of evangelising Britain, is unprecedented and exciting! This appointment is a significant step towards realising the dream of a united Church working together to reach our divided country."

In addition to Rev Adedeji's current roles, he is a Trustee at Luton Town Chaplaincy, Director Trustee at Love and Joy Ministries Liverpool, an Ordained Anglican Priest at Nigerian Chaplaincy at St Marylebone London, Trustee at the Centre for Contemporary Ministry and the South American Mission Society. He is a member of the advisory group of Lapido Media Uk and is married to Simi and blessed with four daughters.

Steve Clifford, Chair of HOPE and General Director of the Evangelical Alliance said: "The appointment of Yemi Adedeji provides an opportunity for HOPE to model unity to a world which questions the integrity of a divided Church."

HOPE is a continuation of HOPE 08, which saw 1,500 areas find ways of being good news and bringing hope outside of their church buildings. HOPE seeks to support and encourage the local church to speak and live its mission and become even more outward looking over the next four years, leading toward an all-out year of mission in 2014.