Gordon, of Viewpark Road, Motherwell, was a dedicated Christian who devoted many years of his life to working with young people at Roman Road Hall.

He and his wife, Janis, ran a weekly Bible teaching night in their home for almost 20 years, while Gordon supported her in her work as a Sunday School leader at the church.

Around 250 mourners heard close friend Garry Blair pay a touching tribute to Gordon.

He said: "There are many here today who have greatly benefited from Gordon's gift of practically applying the Bible.

"He and Janis poured their lives into many young people's lives and I, like a number of people here today, mourn him as a father.

"Gordon and Janis's home was constantly open for young people who needed help, counselling or advice, or simply wanted to chat and spend time with them, And who wouldn't have wanted to spend time in their presence? Their welcome was always so warm and encouraging, while Gordon's conversations were always full of jokes and anecdotes – he seemed to have an endless supply of funny stories and illustrations.

"Gordon's gift for working with young people was matched only by Janis's gift and love for working with children. Gordon recognised this and was a tremendous encouragement and help to her in the children's work of Roman Road Hall.

"This included camps, holiday clubs, special events and every week at the Sun Seekers on Sunday and the Adventurers' Club in Calder Primary School on Friday.

"No-one could really do justice to all the events, activities and services Gordon was involved in at Roman Road – for example, organising Hogmany socials, coffee mornings and car washes to raise money for a missionary project in Bolivia, and helping in youth clubs."

Gordon attended Motherwell's Muir Street Primary School and Braidhurst High. After an apprenticeship as a fitter/turner at the town's Satchwell Sunvic plant, he made a career change and became a salesman with STV, then a sales manager with hotel groups.

For the past 18 years he worked at Autotrax in Mossend. During the last year, on top of a heavy workload, he studied at Glasgow Caledonian University, working towards a BA in Occupational Health and Safety management. He had only one more paper to complete and the university have indicated that he will be awarded his degree posthumously.

Apart from his work at Roman Road Hall, Gordon taught in a number of churches across central Scotland and had also preached in the Bible class at Barlinnie Prison. And after an evening at the Stauros Bible study group in Glasgow, he accepted an invitation to teach a group of adults in the city which he did faithfully every fortnight for four years. Many of this group became Christians.

Many visitors to Roman Road Hall will remember Gordon for the warmth of his welcome, whether at a Christmas Eve service or the annual concert by the children of Logans Primary School.

He had a regular slot for children in the Sunday morning Family Service and, indeed, just two days before he died he was in typical witty and energetic form as he juggled the role of chairing the Family Service with playing the drums in the Praise Band.

Gordon and Janis celebrated 25 years of marriage only last month. He is survived by Janis and his elder sister, Alison.