A SCIENCE teacher who gave up the classroom to follow a calling to ministry begins a new role this month as Chaplain to the Archbishop of Wales.

Rev James Tout trained for ministry while working was an assistant head teacher in North Wales. Following his ordination he has served as an assistant curate in Wrexham and also as director of a pioneering evangelism project in the Diocese of Bangor called Llan.

As Chaplain to the Archbishop, James will be a key member of the Archbishop's team, supporting and resourcing his ministry, both practically and through prayer, and preparing his public engagements. He will be based in the Diocese of Bangor as the Archbishop is also the Bishop of Bangor.

Announcing the appointment, the Archbishop, Andrew John, said, “I am delighted to appoint James as my Chaplain and look forward to working with him to develop the office of the Archbishop. James brings a wealth of professional experience, as well as pastoral insight, both from the world of education, as a priest and as director of Llan. He has a heart for mission and evangelism which will be a valuable asset in this role.”

James said, “I am overjoyed to take up this new role as the Chaplain to the Archbishop. It has been a great privilege to lead the Llan evangelism project for the last couple of years which is seeking new ways to engage with people that they may come into encounter with God and be transformed. I am very glad to be able to continue a ministry within the Diocese of Bangor and now provincially too. The opportunity to work with the Archbishop, the senior team in the Diocese of Bangor, as well as the Provincial Office at such an exciting time of change is exhilarating.”

Originally from Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, James graduated from Cardiff University and Swansea Metropolitan University. In 2010, he took up a post as a chemistry teacher in Llanfyllin High School. He later moved to The Marches School in Oswestry where he finished his teaching career as Director of Science and Associate Assistant Head Teacher in 2020.

A fluent Welsh speaker, James trained for ordained ministry part-time through St Padarn’s Institute and was ordained by the Bishop of St Asaph in 2019, serving his title as NSM Assistant Curate at St Giles’ Parish Church, Wrexham. He was appointed as Director of Llan a year later.

In his spare time, James enjoys spending time with his family and friends. He and his seven-year-old son Aled have a passion for motorsport and Lego.

He will begin his new role as Archbishop’s Chaplain on February 28.