Leading author and theologian Dr Elaine Storkey, has been appointed Church Army's new Director of Training.

Dr Storkey, who is also the president of Tearfund, has been handed the responsibility for overseeing Church Army's evangelism training to a fully mission-based learning model as it moves away from residential training over the next year. She will also join the senior management team and will begin her new role later this month.

Commenting on her appointment, Dr Storkey said, "I am delighted to be of service to Church Army in the area of training and future development, I believe these to be so important. Church Army’s new future represents one of the most exciting opportunities for mission and evangelism in our country and beyond."

Elaine Storkey has significant experience of pioneering training and leadership as a former Director of the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity (1992-1997), Chair of Fulcrum, Vice-president of the University of Gloucestershire and a former Senior Research Fellow at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. She was awarded a life-time award for services to women by the American group CBE in 2008.

During 2008 Elaine Chaired Church Army’s ordination and Commission Working Party which painted a new and challenging future and direction for Church Army and she will lead a team exploring and developing the 126 year old society into an Order appropriate for 21st century mission and evangelism.

Mark Russell, Church Army's Chief Executive welcomed her appointment.

"Elaine is a renowned theologian, and has spent a lifetime making connections between faith and culture, and seeking to help those beyond church walls discover God's love for them," he said.

"Her gifts, passion and energy have inspired me for years, and I am so excited to be working with her as we seek to help Church Army equip and empower evangelists for 21st century mission. Church Army joins me in assuring Elaine of our prayers as she prepares to take up this exciting new appointment as our Director of Training.”