A PASTOR determined to mark the Christmas season has unified churches for a concert.

Pastor Andrew Willis of Ilford High Road has brought together different churches for “The Promise”, an afternoon of fun celebrating the birth of Christ.

The collaborative concert, the first in three years, will feature a live Nativity drama and a variety of musical performances in different languages.

Pastor Willis said: "Prior to coming to High Road I was a pastor in Teddington, and Brixham.

"During my previous tenures I worked collaboratively on similar events with diverse Christian churches in the respective cities I worked in.   

"It was amazing to see the great passion that arose among local churches as so many chose to collaborate in this fashion, moreover a few churches who cannot join us this year have already agreed to support the event next year.”

Ilford High Road Baptist Church, Cranbrook Baptist Church, British Pakistani Christian Association and Clementswood Baptist Church are just four of the organisations involved.

Wilson Chowdhry, chairman of the British Pakistani Christian Association said: "Bringing so many diverse churches together at a busy time like Christmas is a testament to the unity held amongst Christians especially here in Redbridge. 

"Moreover for the first time in the history of Ilford a Christmas Nativity drama will take place on our town hall steps a place of great local political authority.

"We named the event 'The Promise' because Christ’s life and death was a fulfilment of prophecy or a promise from God that changed the trajectory of the world.

The concert takes place on the steps of Ilford Town Hall on Saturday, December 16, from 1pm to 3pm.