Britain's leading publication on black faith, Keep the Faith, has just published its first ever list of Britain's foremost black Christian women.

The Keep the Faith list of Britain's 10 most influential Christian women includes Angela Sarkis, who was the first woman and black person to be appointed to the role of National Secretary of the YMCA; Rev Kate Coleman, who made history when she became the first black woman to be made president of the Baptist Union of Great Britain; Pastor Dionne Lamont, who presides over Bethesa Ministries, the largest church in her denomination, the Church of God of Prophecy; and Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin, an Anglican minister who was recently appointed as chaplain to her majesty the Queen, and who also serves as chair of the Committee for Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns.

Shirley McGreal, Publisher of Keep the Faith commented, "Last year we published a list of Britain's most influential black church leaders, and felt it was only right that we also feature a list of Britain's most influential black Christian women from across the denominational spectrum."

According to McGreal, women comprise approximately 65 per cent of Britain's black Christian population.

"If it wasn't for their spiritual, social and economic input many churches would come to a stand still," she said.

"I believe it is fitting for Keep The Faith to highlight those women who are making an impact within the black Christian community and beyond. I hope this list serves as an inspiration to the many capable black Christian women who feel a call to serve the church and wider community in a leadership and pastoral capacity to pursue their calling, and that it makes the wider Christian community recognise the major contribution women are making within the area of church leadership."