One of the world's oldest missionary organisations is celebrating its 175th anniversary this month in Oxford.

Christian Witness to Israel focuses exclusively on trying to convert Jewish people to Christianity and the event at St Aldates church will celebrate what it says is a 'marked increase in the number of Jewish people coming to faith'.

CEO Joseph Steinberg said: 'Jewish people are not beyond the grasp of God's saving power. We are excited by a future where Jewish people love and embrace the Messiah who came to set them free.

We want the Church to rediscover its confidence that Jesus saves – even Jewish people – and get behind our work so that the whole world may come to know God's saving power.'

The anniversary event on January 27 celebrates CWI's work in the past, including its 'House of Refuge' during the Holocaust as well as its present-day missionaries in Israel, France, Holland, Hungary, Bulgaria, the USA and the UK.

A statement from the charity read: 'CWI are seeing a marked increase in the number of Jewish people coming to faith. Over the last two years CWI's international team of missionaries have reported 60 Jewish people coming to faith in Jesus, a significant increase over previous years.'

The work of the charity is regarded as controversial in some quarters as some Christians believe it is inappropriate for Christians to attempt to convert Jews. The Roman Catholic Church renounced conversion attempts in 2015.