A heartwarming video has been released that shows the moment a man's surprise marriage proposal to his boyfriend in a Texas church received a standing ovation.

In the two-minute video posted online, Trevor Harper and his boyfriend were asked to share their faith story by the First United Methodist Church of Austin.

Speaking about their nine-year relationship, Harper said: "God willing, we might even get to walk down the aisle of this church we love so much, and nothing means more than that.

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"But there's a lot of work to be done before that happens, and one of the most important things that needs to happen before we do that is I probably should, with the permission of your parents...."

At this point in the video Harper bends down on one knee and asks his boyfriend for his hand in marriage. When his partner says yes, the two embrace, sparking a standing ovation from the congregation and warm applause throughout the church.

While same-sex marriage was legalised throughout the US on 26 June this year, the Methodist church currently does not permit its clergy to officiate same-sex marriages.