A MUCH-LOVED clergyman is preparing to say a final farewell to his congregation as he gets ready to reunite with his family 10,000 miles away.

Reverend Tim Burton says he is leaving the Church of Nazarene on Clune Brae 'in safe hands' after guiding it on an arduous journey through the pandemic.

The 54-year-old has made the difficult decision to return to Brisbane in Australia with his wife Aroha to be closer to the rest of their relatives.

Rev Burton says he has loved his time in Port Glasgow and told how he has made it 'his second home' after arriving in the UK in 2016.

He said: "We have a great community in this church and we are stronger than before. We have some younger members who are really making a difference in everything we do. 

"I want people to know that we are open once again and see this wonderful congregation grow and flourish. I think Port Glasgow is beautiful and it is a wonderful town, the people have been so welcoming since I settled here. They have made it a home from home and I will be sad to say goodbye to both them and the area as a while.

"We have built strong links with other churches in the area, there is a strong sense of community now, and that is the perfect foundation to move forward."

Reverend Burton arrived in Scotland to look after a parish nearby Houston and stepped in to guide the Port Glasgow church when former minister Ian Stewart left in 2019.

He says that the pandemic presented challenges but is confident that the future is bright.

He added: "It was difficult for everyone and not being able to bring people together under the church roof was hard.

"A church like this is all about knitting the community together and when you don't have that face-to-face connection, it makes things all that more difficult.

"I want everyone to know now that the Church of Nazarene is now getting back on its feet and the doors are open again. I feel we are stronger as a congregation than we were pre-pandemic."

Rev Burton insists that despite his impending exit, there is a lot to look forward to.

He added: "The congregation is in good hands with good people poised to take over from me and build on everything we've achieved here.

"There are so many challenges in life right now and I want people to know that we are there for them."