The Rev Tim Hall, the vicar of Minster Abbey, Holy Trinity Church, Sheerness, and Holy Trinity, Queenborough, is to become chief executive officer of the evangelical organisation Through Faith Missions.

His last service will be at Minster Abbey on Sunday, October 14.

He said: "I will obviously miss this glorious Island but as a vicar I must listen to the calling of Jesus."

He will be based in Cambridgeshire.

Mr Hall, 53, has been on Sheppey for six years.

During that time he has courted controversy by:

* Removing pews from the 354-year-old Abbey;

* Closing down St Peter's church at Halfway and;

* Suggesting the church silver on show at Maidstone Museum be sold to pay for essential repairs to Holy Trinity church, Queenborough.

But he insisted: "I leave all the churches in a good condition. Each one of them is now open to everyone every day.

"The front of the Abbey has room for all sorts of events such as dementia lunches, Sheerness has become the Island's food bank and Queenborough has won its grant for important building work."

His wife Georgina and children Floss and Berry will be moving with him.

Mr Hall was born in Buckingham. Both his parents are GPs.

He began his working life in the furniture business as a production manager, building office furniture, and has continued an interest in woodwork and upholstery.

He met his wife on a railway station and says: "She was the one who introduced me to Jesus."

He added: "I had always felt God was calling me for something and then one morning, when I was in my 20s, I woke up knowing God wanted me to become a vicar."

His final service on Sheppey will include the licensing of new lay-preachers and a visit from the Archdeacon.

The search must now begin for his successor.

Church organist James Pollard said: "Tim and wife Georgina have been extremely friendly, sympathetic and hospitable.

"I have seen how much effort goes into providing church services and food and hospitality for the more frail or vulnerable members of the community.

"There has always been an emphasis on outreach, both practical and spiritual.

"I wish Tim, Georgina and their lovely family well in their new life. We will miss them."

Meanwhile, the eastern end of the Island is still waiting for the Rev Tim Foreman to take over over as priest in charge at All Saints, Eastchurch and St Thomas at Harty.

The parishes have been without a priest since the Rev Chris Shipley retired two years ago and have been served by stand-ins the Rev Gerry Arber and the Rev Colin Johnson.

Through Faith Missions was founded in 1985 by the Rev Daniel Cozens to work outside normal church buildings. It was behind the Walk Kent outreach in 1999. Mr Hall has worked with it in the past.