Church Army is preparing to open its doors to new members after it voted to become a mission community in the Anglican Church in the UK and Ireland.

Changes to the constitution were backed overwhelmingly at the Annual General Meeting this week.

Until now, Church Army was served by trained and commissioned evangelists. This week's vote, however, will see Church Army shift from being a society to being a movement.

That means that anyone keen to be evangelists and identify themselves with the organisation in some way can be part of Church Army.

It hopes that the changes will help to expand its existing body of volunteers and supporters, and create a new community of people passionate about the Gospel and sharing it through words and action.

Mark Russell, Church Army Chief Executive, said: “This is an historic day for Church Army and I’m so excited about what the future holds for our new mission community.

"The vision is for Church Army to be an inclusive movement of evangelists, lay people, ordained, full-time, part-time, young and old – all of who are committed to changing our nation.”

Mike Gilbert, Mission Community Exploration Officer at Church Army, said it was the start of a "new chapter" in the life of Church Army.

"We hope that our mission community develops into a natural home for many people who are committed to evangelism and who are longing for a depth of spirituality and strength of community," he said.

Church Army plans to appoint a Dean of Community to lead and care for its members, and will announce further details about how to join the community in the new year.