Mr Magrath delivered his last sermon during Easter Sunday mass and officially retired on Sunday, April 12.

"I came to Medowie 25 years ago to retire," Mr Magrath said.

"When I came here it [Medowie Assembly of God] was just a church.

"I looked at the rest of the community and I felt very sad that no one was taking care of them, no one was reaching out and helping people who were hungry or poor.

"And so, we began the op-shop."

That was 12 years ago and still today, among the church's other welfare work including feeding the Port's most vulnerable, it continues.

Mr Magrath and wife Beryl, who died in 2008, moved to Medowie after travelling around Australia pioneering churches.

In Medowie they raised eight sons and grew the church to the point where today it reached more than 3000 people each month.

In 2013 Mr Magrath was named Port Stephens Citizen of the Year.

On Easter Sunday, April 5, Mr Magrath's replacement, senior pastor Adam Cook, was ordained.

"I am confident he will build on what I have left," Mr Magrath said.

After his first posting as an 18-year-old bible college student in Brisbane, the now 78-year-old feels he has earned a break.

He had begun writing his memoirs and would look to publish a book and a biography on his life.

Aside from writing and sleeping in, Mr Magrath said he would like to travel to South Africa.