A FORMER drum and bass DJ turned pastor is helping young people in Trevethin find a different groove by tapping into their faith.

And as well as looking after young people’s spiritual needs, founder of Hill City Church, Pastor Dai Hankey, 33, uses his skills to teach them how to use the decks.

The church uses Cold Barn Farm youth centre in Trevethin as a base. Mr Hankey from New Inn, Pontypool said: “As it’s held in a community centre there’s always something going on. It’s high energy and not traditionally structured like most churches.

“They feel that the centre is a place to come and go as they please.”

The Hill City Church is now in its second successful year and works in partnership with youth groups to attract its young audience.

It might also be Dai’s musical past which has attracted younger followers.

He explained: “The younger members of the congregation call me DJ Dai because about 10 years ago I was a resident drum and bass DJ in the club Moloko in Cardiff. My turning moment was when I realised I didn’t want to be a part of an environment where someone could die from drug taking.”

The church’s biggest project to date is linking up with an African church in Burkina Faso. The congregation have since sponsored children there out of poverty.

The service takes place every Sunday from 11am at the Cold Barn Farm, Woodside Road, Trevethin.