A man who became a Christian while studying physics at university has been appointed as the new suffragan Bishop of Jarrow.
Rev Dr Jitesh Patel is currently Assistant Director and Lecturer in Theology at St Mellitus College East Midlands and Associate Vicar at Holy Trinity in Leicester. He was previously Director of Contextual Training for the Diocese of Leicester, overseeing training and formation across the diocese.
From a Hindu Indian diaspora family, Dr Patel became a Christian while studying at Jesus College, Oxford. He trained for ministry at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford and was ordained in 2010.
Dr Patel said: "Since first discerning this call to be the next Bishop of Jarrow, I have been praying daily for the people and places of the diocese, asking God to bring widespread renewal, for individual lives to be radically transformed by the saving love and power of Christ, and for vocations of all types to be raised in partnership with all that the Holy Spirit is already doing.
“I look forward to playing my part in the answer to such prayers in the years to come as I serve under Bishop Rick’s leadership."
The Bishop of Durham, Rt Rev Rick Simpson said he was "absolutely delighted" with the appointment, because he and the advisory panel "were clear that we saw in Jitesh the gifts and experience in mission and ministry we are seeking in someone to help us develop the lay and ordained leaders we need to make this change, and to join me in supporting local churches and ministers across the diocese".
The Archbishop of York, Most Rev Stephen Cottrell said Bishop-elect Jitesh's "theological insight, talents and experience will be a great gift not only to the Diocese of Durham but to the Province of York. I am looking forward to his consecration on 8 December, and to working with him in the service of the gospel.”
Dr Patel is married to Bridget, and they have two daughters. In his spare-time he enjoys running, board games, good food, and reading widely.
He succeeds Rt Rev Sarah Clark who became the Bishop of Ely earlier this year.