The Church of England has appointed Messy Church founder Lucy Moore as Head of its new Growing Faith Foundation.

Moore, who started the family friendly services in 2004, has since seen Messy Church grow to 3,500 settings across the globe.

In her new role for the Anglican Church, Moore will focus on engaging families and under 16's with the Christian faith.

The Growing Faith Foundation started as a concept in 2019 to promote stronger partnerships between the Church, schools and households through various initiatives at both diocesan and parish level.

The new foundation seeks to build on this work across the Church of England to help more families engage with the Church and to grow a younger church demographic.

Lucy Moore, who is also on the Leadership Community of Fresh Expressions and a member of the College of Evangelists said she is "thrilled" to take up the role.

"Every church longs to be as hospitable as Jesus himself to those who don't yet belong. We've seen first-hand what new life and energy pours into a local church when we get that hospitality right, so I'm confident that together we will make a difference. 

"I'm looking forward to meeting awesome people, lots of listening, and lots of ideas-sharing across different traditions and contexts, lots of excitement as new opportunities are noticed and acted on. 

"The Growing Faith Foundation will do its level best to help all parishes be even better at helping everyone meet, love and follow Jesus, especially those under the age of 16." 

The role is part-funded by a generous grant from AllChurches Trust.

Moore will take up her position as Head of the Foundation in February 2022.