The new Methodist Youth President has been inducted at a welcome service in Cardiff.

21 year old Daud Irfan, is the first Methodist Youth President of Asian heritage and is keen to see increased diversity in Church leadership. The service, at Cyncoed Methodist Church, featured music and singing in Urdu from the Cardiff and Swansea Urdu/Hindi/Punjabi Fellowship to reflect his own family's heritage.  

The Methodist Youth President is a salaried position working full-time for one year to serve the children and young people of the Methodist Church in Britain. The role involves meeting and representing young Methodists to ensure that their voices are heard and to help them be involved in every aspect of Church life.  

Daud said: "The focus of my year will be on God's Church being a home for all. The Church is a place where all are welcome. We are all made in the image of God. No-one who comes to the Church should be judged.  No-one is underappreciated and we are all equal in the body of Christ.

"I am really looking forward to meeting the children and young people from across the country. I want to hear about their backgrounds, their church, what they do and what they would like to do."

The Revd Dr. Stephen Wigley, Chair of the Wales Synod of the Methodist Church who has supported Daud, said:

"I was delighted to be able to join Daud and his family for the welcome service. I have known Daud for some 15 years since he and his family arrived in Cardiff and his experiences will enable him to serve alongside both young Christians and the wider Church in his year as Youth President."

Daud's father, Revd Irfan John, is a Synod Enabler for culturally diverse congregations with the Wales Synod:

"For myself and Daud's mother, Raheela, it is an honour to see him welcomed into his position has as Methodist Youth President.  As a minister, I encourage Daud to work faithfully during this year and pray that he will be a blessing for the young people."