The new director of an Oxford Christian youth centre is set to launch projects to take the Gospel to every area of the city.

Ben Holloway has been appointed director of Oxford Youth Works - a partner of Youth for Christ - the UK's leading Christian youth organisation.

OYW was set up by Dr Pete Ward, a former advisor to the Archbishop of Canterbury.

It works with young people, forming long-term friendships which aim to bring about a transformation in lives and communities through the Gospel.

The team includes seven full-time staff as well as volunteers and students on work placements.

Its work includes a restorative justice programme in Cutteslowe, where mediation techniques are used to help restore relationships between young people families and communities.

OYW is working with the Church Mission Society and Kenyan missionaries Patrick and Helen Muckholi and their son Jonathan, 14, in the Blackbird Leys area.

It is also running a mentoring project in Barton, which helps connect Christians with their communities.

Mr Holloway has been a full-time Christian youth worker since 1992, when he established a creative music project with Youth for Christ.

He has also worked on a Youth Alpha evangelism programme and Youth For Christ's Rock Solid programme, which provides resources for church leaders to reach 11- to 14-year-olds.

He said: "Our goal is to establish a Christian youth project in every area in Oxford and effectively go where the church isn't.

"Through innovative youth work and living out our Christian faith we hope we can make a lasting change in the lives of young people in Oxford."