By Simon Williams

God has opened a new chapter for Kairos Torch in the United Kingdom. In October 2025, the first Kairos Torch Weekend was held at Norwich Prison (Young Offenders Institution), marking a powerful moment of ministry and transformation. Praise be to God for this incredible milestone and for the hearts He moved to make it possible. The vision for launching Kairos Torch in the UK first came when Evelyn Lemly, CEO of Kairos Prison Ministry International, and Craig Combs visited the UK in 2024 to lead an AKT for Kairos Inside. During that time, they shared the importance of running all three Kairos programs, Kairos Inside, Kairos Outside, and Kairos Torch, together as one unified ministry. That vision took root in our hearts and, by God’s grace, became reality.

My own journey with Jesus began in Norwich Prison back in 1990, when I was 24 years old. During that sentence, I started attending chapel services, gave my life to Christ, and was baptized right there in the prison chapel. In 2023, I published my book A Second Chance, which tells the story of how God rescued me through some perilous moments, from crossing a minefield on the Israeli–Jordan border, to time spent in prisons in Israel and Egypt, and eventually returning to the UK where I was sentenced to Norwich Prison. That’s where the Lord truly turned my life around. After my book’s release, I reached out to Norwich Prison to send in copies and reestablish contact. With my local church’s support, we began holding quarterly services there. As relationships grew, the Lord placed a new vision on my heart to bring Kairos Torch to Norwich. The youth ministry focus deeply resonated with me, not only because my own transformation began there at a young age, but also because my wife, Sue Williams, works with challenged youth at a local school.

Launching a new Kairos program in another country was no small feat, and my first challenge was securing a U.S. visa to attend Kairos Torch training, a near-impossible task with a criminal record. After being denied initially, I was granted a one-year visa through a waiver process that took ten months. Praise God! Alongside Terry Solomon, I traveled to Atlanta to witness a Kairos Torch Weekend at the YDC. What an incredible experience, we watched young men’s hearts soften and their lives begin to change before our eyes. Even more inspiring was knowing they would receive one-on-one mentoring for six months after the Weekend. From Atlanta, we traveled to DeBary, Florida, for Kairos Torch 101 and AKT, where we were warmly welcomed and equipped by Kevin Resnover, Walter Straham, Ida Wheeler, and Gay Taft. I stood in awe of how God had opened doors that once seemed permanently shut. When I later tried to renew my visa, I learned that waivers were no longer being issued, a powerful reminder that God’s timing is always perfect. Had we waited, the entire Kairos Torch launch might never have happened.

Upon returning to the UK in February, we began building a team and setting a date for October 2025. Time was short, and resources were limited, yet through prayer, perseverance, and countless phone calls, the Lord brought the right people and the needed funds together. On August 9^th we held our first training day. Some volunteers withdrew, and doubts crept in, but once again God provided. By September, we held our residential training weekend at Letton Hall, joined by Walter Straham from the U.S. It was a Spirit-filled time of bonding, learning, and preparation. As we parted ways, emotions were high, and we knew God was doing something extraordinary.

With Agape pouring in from around the world and clearances finally approved, the inaugural Kairos Torch Weekend arrived. Though some last-minute complications reduced our team from 16 to 12 members, God’s plan was perfect. Seven young men participated, each one fully engaged and deeply impacted by the talks, meditations, and table discussions. Local church members graciously hosted our team, and Witard Baptist Church blessed us with warm meals and generous hospitality each day. The Weekend was both powerful and joyfully chaotic, filled with laughter, tears, and breakthroughs.

At the Closing Ceremony, the young men openly shared their experiences, expressing gratitude and new hope. The prison chaplain, Father Paulinus, spoke words of encouragement and affirmed how profoundly the program had touched the youth. When we later learned that five of the seven participants returned for mentoring the following week, our hearts overflowed with praise. We continue to pray for each of them, holding fast to Philippians 1:6, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

This has been the most challenging and rewarding journey of my life. I doubted God, and I doubted myself, more than once, but He proved faithful every step of the way. As I write this with tears of joy, I am humbled and thankful to have witnessed His mighty hand at work. My deepest thanks go to our incredible team, Walter Straham, Richard and Gipsy Stephens, Chris Hayhurst, Jonathan Onyeme, Matt Rowley, Morgan Potter, Jane Moore, Sue Williams, Annie and Jim Coole, and to the chaplains Father Paulinus and Richard Stephens for their tireless support. Special thanks also to those who served through prayer, hosting, and giving, including Mike and Ann Coleman, Stuart Budden, Mike and Katrina from Witard Baptist Church, and our home church, Bridge Community Church in Bury St. Edmunds, led by Pastors David Oakley and Graham Jack. To everyone who prayed, gave, trained, or served, thank you for believing that God could make a way where there was none.

“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.” – Mark 9:24

May this first Kairos Torch in the UK be only the beginning of many more to come. All glory to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.