A pastor may be sent to his death next week after Scottish immigration officials rejected his application for asylum.
Pastor Pip Ashiembi, originally from Kenya and now leader of Foundation of Love Church in Glasgow, will be deported on Monday. He has lived in the UK since 2009 but was detained last Friday at Dungavel House Immigration Removal Centre, according to Glasgow local paper the Evening Times.
He applied for asylum nine months ago after he and his family faced violence in Kenya but it has been rejected.
"I feel my life may be in danger," he told the local paper. "I know the government will say Kenya is a democratic country and it is now safe but I don't feel that way."
He said that asylum laws meant he could not appeal the decision in the UK but had to wait until he was in Kenya to question the decision.
"I enjoy my work within the church and community of Drumchapel. I do something which is meaningful and I don't get paid for it.
"I am 61 now, why should I be living my last days over in Kenya?"
One churchgoer, Alex Morton, said the congregation were shocked at what had happened.
"He is a very outgoing and sincere guy. His preaching is quite special. He doesn't just preach the book, he is a wizard with language and he is able to tell a story," he said.
"It will leave a big space in the church, no one can replace him," he told the paper.
A Home Office spokesperson said: "All applications are considered on their individual merits and in accordance with the immigration rules."
"Where someone is in the UK illegally and is found not to need our protection, we expect them to leave the country voluntarily. Where they do not, we will seek to enforce their departure."
