More than 200 Christians gathered in Kolkota, India, on Saturday for the opening of a brand new BMS World Mission centre.

The head of BMS, David Kerrigan, was there to cut the ribbon and unveil a plaque for the centre's official opening.

"We see Kolkata and the West Bengal region as a key strategic commitment for us over the coming years," he said.

"There is a great move of God's Spirit both in the city and in the villages, and this centre is best seen as part of our contribution to this work."

The centre, which is built on an existing BMS premises, will serve local indigenous mission organisations by providing visitor accommodation and a venue to host their training programmes, capable of holding more than 150 people at a time.

BMS World Mission's Manager for Mission Partnerships, David McLellan, was also in Kolkata for the opening of the centre.

He spoke of the flourishing mission in the region: "There is a desire to get more directly involved in mission, and this centre provides the place and the opportunity for that to take place.

"West Bengal is seeing one of the most exciting church planting movement in these days, and some of the most creative responses to abject poverty.

"This centre will be used to train leaders in these ministries, but also enable teams from UK to share in the work."

One-third of the £150,000 needed to build the centre was raised locally and will be run entirely by BMS Indian leaders. Local mission leaders in the area are already testifying the centre's vital contribution to their work in spreading the Gospel, said BMS.

Kerrigan praised the local leaders who had dedicated the last year to completing the centre.

"They are very gifted men and women and we give thanks to God for them," he said. "The next few years will see thousands of people trained and released into mission through this new centre."