KIDDERMINSTER'S Reverend Canon Mark Badger has been appointed as the next Archdeacon of Worcester.

Mark, who currently serves as the Rector of Kempsey & Severn Stoke w Croome d'Abitot & Norton and the Area Dean of Malvern and Upton, will take over the role from Archdeacon Robert Jones, who will retire in November.

Having spent most of his life in Worcestershire, Mark has deep roots in the community, having grown up in Kidderminster and being ordained in Worcester Cathedral in 1996.

After initially serving in St Stephen's and St George's churches in Worcester, Mark briefly left the diocese to become a chaplain at Thames Valley Police.

He returned to Worcester to establish 'Motov8', a charity that provides support to young people who face challenges in mainstream education.

Mark's appointment was the result of a comprehensive selection process that included interviews with other shortlisted candidates from outside the diocese.

As Archdeacon, he will oversee the parishes and clergy in the four deaneries of Worcester, Malvern and Upton, Kidderminster and Stourport, and Pershore and Evesham.

Additionally, he will be responsible for the diocesan priority of doubling the number of children and young people attending church by 2030, as well as supporting parishes in their ministry to new housing developments.

Mark said: “I am humbled and honoured to have been asked to become the next Archdeacon of Worcester. I hope that I can continue Archdeacon Robert’s work in being a pastor to the people in the Archdeaconry, helping them to feel loved and listened to and enabling them to continue to grow in their relationship with God and each other. I’m currently feeling a bit daunted, and I will be sad to leave my parish, but it is a very exciting next step.

"I have loved being Area Dean, supporting colleagues and parishes and it’s great that I will be able to continue to do that as Archdeacon.”

Bishop of Worcester John Inge said: “Mark is an extremely able individual who has a proven track record as a parish priest and, more recently, as a highly effective Area Dean. Most of his ministry has been in this diocese and we have been very enriched by it: he is highly respected. I am delighted with his appointment and look forward greatly to working with him in this new role.

"I also give thanks for the ministry of Archdeacon Robert, who has filled the role with such great distinction and been a huge blessing to us all.”

Outside of his work, Mark is married to Kate and has four children - two grown-up boys and two girls aged 11 and 13.

The family shares their home with two flat coated retrievers and enjoys spending time together walking with their pets.

It is also revealed that Mark is a self-proclaimed "petrolhead" with a great passion for sports cars.

The installation of Mark as Archdeacon of Worcester is expected to take place in a service at Worcester Cathedral in early December.

In addition, a farewell ceremony for Archdeacon Robert will be held during Evensong in the Cathedral on Sunday, November 19.