A GROUP of churches have joined forces to hold a week-long festival of events including a coffee morning and a music performance in Basingstoke.

Melrose Christian Fellowship, a family church based in the community hall in Popley, is part of Through Faith Missions - a Charitable Trust comprised of churches from across the country, who work together to spread the word of Jesus.

The group is spending this week, from Saturday, September 14 to Sunday, September 22, hosting several events in the town, with a youth rap event due to take place this weekend.

READ MORE: Through a number of different streams, including a pop up cafe, walk through the park and an event at the fountains including youth rap.

Melrose Christian FellowshipMelrose Christian Fellowship (Image: Newsquest)

Pastor James Morson, 44, said is working to bring the events to life in the town "Through a number of different streams, including a pop-up cafe, walk through the park and an event at the fountains including youth rap."

He added: "We are excited to express our faith and show God's love within our community.

"We believe they need God's love and the hope that comes with knowing him."

Ross Healey, 68, is the volunteer team leader at Through Faith Missions.

He told the Gazette that he is "excited" for what the week will bring.

He said: "It's a big multi-church celebration. Last year we had song, dance, storytelling and faith-sharing.

"Our group comes from all over the country, with all sort of different churches.

"We are hosting a lot of different events throughout the week and tell people about Jesus and how he can change lives for good.

"We will do that by going where people are, for example walking outside, knocking on doors, whatever the people of each church would like to do."

Ross explained how he didn't believe in God when he was younger, and it took a special experience for that to change.

He said: "I was raised in a family that mocked God, I was a keen atheist and argued against Christians.

"It wasn't until I spent some time up north that this changed. I was with my friends, hungover, on a wet Sunday morning and the only place open was the church, so we went in to dry off and nurse our hangovers.

"During the service, I started crying, and I just couldn't explain what was going on.

"Later on down the road I said 'well God, I'm not sure if you are there, but if you are then I'm in', and I went to church and asked if there was a joining desk.

"They laughed at that, but my life has been transformed ever since and now I'm leading a team sharing the joy of knowing Jesus Christ, and mot of my family have found their own way to Jesus now."

Readers can find out more about Melrose Christian Fellowship by visiting https://www.melrosechurchbasingstoke.com/

Readers can find out more about Through Faith Missions by visiting https://tfm.uk.endis.com/