A congregation is praying for the safe return of American pastor Peter Edwards, who vanished from his home in Perthshire two days ago.
Concern is mounting for the 65-year-old who was last seen at Scone in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Mr Edwards is an associate pastor at the Perth Christian Fellowship church, which he helped found in the mid-1980s.
Church-goers have been praying for Peter through the night.
Senior pastor Mervyn Milne said: “Peter is very popular, caring man. He is well known and well liked with everyone at the church.
“He has been with us for about 30 years, since the beginning.
“We had an all night prayer meeting for him and that is continuing throughout the day.”
Mr Milne said: “We don’t have a clue what has happened, unfortunately. It’s thought he may have gone out somewhere, fallen ill and hasn’t been able to get back in touch with anyone.”
Originally from New York, Peter is also well known through his work at the church-supported Mustard Seed Coffee Shop in Perth.
A description on the church’s website states: “His quiet authority, discerning ways, and heart for God’s people are much appreciated by the congregation.”
Peter is described as 5ft 9in, balding and has a grey beard. He usually wears gold rimmed glasses.
He is said to have left his home at Scone at around 5.30am on Tuesday. He later caught the number seven bus into Perth and was seen getting off at Glasgow Road, near the Lovat Hotel, at 7.43am.
When last seen, he was wearing a long sleeved grey shirt, black tank top jumper, tie, grey trousers and black leather shoes.
A police spokesman said: “There is concern for Peter’s welfare and so officers would like to hear from anyone who has seen him today or has any information about his whereabouts.”
Investigators are looking into a suspected sighting at Christies Bar in Perth on Tuesday evening.
Concerned friends are using social media to spread word about his disappearance.
One Free Church of Scotland member posted: “Praying for Peter’s safe return ever since hearing the shocking news last night.
“A truly humble and godly man in every way.”
Another wrote: “Lovely gentle man. Praying. Lord take care of him. Bring him home to family and friends.”
The fellowship church was launched in Perth, at Mr Milne’s home, in 1984.
The congregation quickly expanded and moved into a meeting place at Dewars’ centre, before flitting to the National Christian Outreach Centre, Riggs Road, in 2008.
