Five female Baptist church leaders will fly out to Angola today for two weeks of New Year mission amongst women.

The women come from across the UK and make up BMS World Mission's first-ever team of ministers.

Jane Ledingham, from Gildersome Baptist Church in Leeds, was previously a BMS volunteer in D R Congo in 2004. She will act as team leader in the Angola visit.

"The main aim of the team is to affirm and value women's contribution to church and community in Angola," she said.

"During our time away, each person on the team will have an opportunity to preach, lead a Bible study or women's meeting and collectively we will be involved in theological reflection.

"We will be giving space to hear what God is saying about our own ministry in the UK and sharing experiences with the women in Angola."

The mission trip is taking place in partnership with the Evangelical Baptist Church of Angola, IEBA, and the team will be based in the capital, Luanda, and in Uige, a province of north Angola.

BMS health worker Mary Parsons is also joining the team.

She said: "It will be a two-way blessing as the team look and study scripture together with the Angolan women and share a little of what life is like for the Angolan women."

Ms Ledingham has asked for prayer for safety in travel, and for the team to be culturally sensitive to the needs of Angolans and an encouragement to the women of Angola. She also asked for prayer that the overseas experience may shape UK ministry when the team members return to their churches.

Ms Parsons said, "It will be the rainy season when the team arrives. In Luanda traffic jams are the norm. Please pray that getting about the city may not be too difficult."

She added, "Also remember those who the team will be working with: IEBA general Secretary Rev Rui Garcia Nafilo, regional secretaries Rev Armando Almeida of Luanda and Rev Makiade Filipe of Uige, plus Mama Lussinga Elizabeth, IEBA women's department secretary."

In addition to Jane, the team consists of: Rev Jenni Entrican (Chipping Sodbury Baptist Church & Jacob's Well, Bristol); Rev Jennifer Few (Robert Hall Memorial Baptist Church, Leicester); Rev Glenda Down (Moortown Baptist Church, Leeds) and Rev Jane Webb (Hill Street Baptist Church, Swadlincote).

The team will return to the UK on 15 January.