A church minister has vowed it will not be the end for his deported colleague who made a tearful return to Korea last week.

Trinity Church Reverend Martin Camroux said he would continue to campaign for the family of Reverend Wan Shin, 45, to be awarded a visa, so he come back to Sutton.

Rev Camroux said he had also been in touch with Overton Grange School to keep Rev Shin’s son Hyun’s exam entry valid, so that he can complete his A levels.

The Shin family were forced to leave when an eleventh hour bid to overturn a High Court judge’s decision to deport them was rejected by Immigration Minister Phil Woolas.

The move came despite a 175-strong petition and intervention from Sutton and Cheam MP Paul Burstow, who fears Rev Shin’s two sons’ education will suffer and they will have to undergo mandatory military service.

Via email, Mr Shin said his family were now staying in an apartment for missionaries in Incheon near Seoul.

He said: “I already miss you all, Sutton and Trinity Church. I hope to return. I am really lucky to know so many friendly, honest, kind and passionate people . The life in the UK for my family was a dream we will not be able to forget forever. Thanks to you, we were happy in Sutton.”

Rev Shin, an ordained minister of the conservative Korean Evangelical Holiness Church, also fears he will no longer be able to work in Korea, after his views were significantly liberalised since worshipping at Holy Trinity – a United Reformed Methodist Church.

Rev Camroux said: “In his ruling, the judge made a point of recognising Hyun’s intelligence and the diligence with which he has approached his school studies. It is only fair that he be allowed to return to complete his examinations.”

Rev Shin came from Seoul to the UK on an educational visa, to study for a degree at the University of Wales.

When it expired, the family began an application for permanent residency, while Rev Shin continued to work voluntarily at Holy Trinity Church.