St Barnabas Church in Waunarlwydd is launching a new monthly evening of testimony and open conversation at a local pub, aimed at people who would never normally walk through a church door.

A church in Waunarlwydd is taking its message to the pub — literally. Tafarn Talks, a new monthly evening from St Barnabas Church, launches at the Farmers Arms later this month.

"The whole point is to be with people where they are," said Rev'd Ben Jones, vicar of St John's Gowerton and St Barnabas Waunarlwydd. "To show a positive face of the church in the community. All are welcome — we want to facilitate an encounter with Jesus Christ."

The evening features a song or two on guitar, a testimony from someone whose life has been changed by faith, and then open discussion. Ben has been building a network of speakers across Christian communities in the area — men and women from different denominations and different walks of life.

"The whole idea is to bridge the gap from church to community," Ben said. "That faith isn't just for certain people, that encounters with Jesus can be for them as well. Maybe they would never go to a church — thinking they're not good enough, you know, or it's for people that don't look like them. I would like that person to think at the end of the evening: 'perhaps Jesus can be for me as well'."

Tafarn Talks takes place on the last Wednesday of every month at the Farmers Arms, 284 Swansea Road, Waunarlwydd, SA5 4SL, from 6.00pm. The first evening is Wednesday 24 June. All are welcome.