"IT was definitely the first time I have seen a wrestler explain the Bible account of David and Goliath."

Every now and again you get these combinations that shouldn't really work but they strangely do. This can be said about wrestling taking place in a church environment.

Bradfordian Gareth 'Angel' Thompson surprisingly managed to make it work at a city centre church over this past weekend. Fountains Church, a new Anglican resource church in Glydegate, played host to a wrestling 'take over'.

Instead of a lectern, ‘Angel’ delivered his message from a temporary wrestling ring hired for the event, having won a string of battles in front of cheering crowd.

The church wants to raise funds to help set-up a brand-new wrestling school to help both kids and adults in Bradford.

“Wrestling might seem a strange mix for the church,” said Rev Linda Maslen, “But that is exactly why it worked so well. Over a whole weekend, I watched about 90 people, many who would never normally come to church, enjoy hospitality and a lot of fun, while a story was told through wrestling.

“By the time Sunday night arrived, everyone was on the edge of their seats to hear Gareth’s very moving account of how his faith has helped him overcome many battles.

"It was definitely the first time I have seen a wrestler explain the Bible account of David and Goliath and it was fantastic!”

Gareth, 34, travels around the country with his amateur wrestling show GT Ministries and has seen how it can engage people with its message of good triumphing over evil.

He said: “Now I want to bring that to my home city and create a wrestling school as a focus to help people feel part of something positive, learn new skills, get fit and learn more about Jesus’ victory at the cross.

"The Christian faith was a game changer for me and I want others to know that same power for good.”

Work to restore the derelict building, next to the Alhambra Theatre, which was once a nightclub called Revolution, has been going on for some time and continues as the church congregation grows, with plans to use and rent out its key city centre location.

Around £2,000 has so far been raised by supporters for a wrestling ring for the school with another £1,000 needing to be found.

Gareth added: “I am really grateful for everyone who has given towards this project and to Linda who believed in me, and plans are in hand now to make this school happen.”

If you would like to donate to the wrestling school, visit: fountainsbradford.org