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The Diocese of Monmouth has secured funding of more than £1m to help grow new worshipping communities by building stronger relationships with schools.The project will provide a Schools Engagement Pioneer (SEP) for four carefully selected locations - North Monmouthshire, East Cardiff, Islwyn, and Abergavenny - who will build links with church and community schools in the area, inviting school children and their families into the new worshipping community.The Ven Ian Rees, Archdeacon of Monmouth & Diocesan Director of Ministry & Discipleship, said: “The school engagement pioneers are a really exciting new venture for the diocese and its work with schools, young people and families. Four ministry areas were successful in their application for a pioneer and we’re sure that, working together with those ministry areas, they will help to develop vibrant new worshipping communities and also help to enthuse and energise other congregations in those ministry areas as well."Funded through the Church in Wales’ Growth Fund initiative, the five-year project focusses on relationship-building with primary and secondary school-age pupils in a manner which goes beyond school assemblies, requiring significant investment of time and planning – beyond the capacity of current clergy.It builds on the learning from a pilot project which began last year and, also lots of research and consultation with Ministry Areas before entering a tough application process to secure the funding.The project embraces a culture of relationship-building and invitational pioneer ministry, with the pioneers engaging with youngsters, their parents, teachers and the wider school family, allowing for an authentic journeying of faith for those with no prior involvement in church.Isabel Thompson, Diocesan Secretary said: “This extra investment for schools and families' ministry is really exciting news for the diocese. We are looking forward to keeping everyone up to date with news of our new projects, as we watch these new worshipping communities grow.”With funding in place, it is hoped work can begin on recruiting our new pioneers later this year.The Church in Wales’ Church Growth Fund is investing £100m to support projects across Wales in a once-in-a generation opportunity to resource confident and consistent evangelism throughout Wales.