Rev Lorne Anderson commissioned as new pastor at Townsville Central City Mission Uniting Church

A new inner-city pastor is celebrating not only his new appointment but his homecoming after spending four years abroad.

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A NEW inner-city pastor plans to bring an inter­national style to church­goers.

It will be a homecoming of sorts for Canadian-born Reverend Lorne Anderson who moved to Townsville in 2004 for university before spending the past four years overseas. After moving to Tokyo in 2016 with his wife, Mr Anderson completed a masters in peace studies while working as a pastor at a local church.

Mr Anderson moved back to Townsville last year and was recruited by previous pastor Rev Bruce Cornish at the Townsville Central City Mission Uniting Church. The 33-year-old was formally inducted into the church and he said the event signalled a new future at the church.

Lorne Anderson is the new priest at Central Uniting Church. Picture: Evan Morgan

“There was so much love in the building (at the commission) and to be part of a community who is an inspiration to one another and to share that with everyone around us is a privilege,” he said.

“I have done a lot of work with different churches over the years ... it was a beautiful challenge being in a large city like Tokyo with such diverse languages and different roles. I hope to bring some of that ethos into Townsville.”

Originally published as Rev Lorne Anderson commissioned as new pastor at Townsville Central City Mission Uniting Church