One of the most meaningful parts of a Kairos Torch Weekend isn’t listed on the schedule or highlighted in a talk, it walks quietly among us, carrying trays, passing out agape, and serving with purpose. These are our Torch Bearers: the alumni of the Kairos Torch program who have completed the six-month mentoring journey and now return to serve the next group of youth just beginning theirs.

More than just volunteers, Torch Bearers are a living testimony to what transformation looks like on the inside. They’ve walked the same hallways, sat in the same chairs, and wrestled with the same questions as the participants they now serve. And that matters.

A Presence That Calms and Inspires

For many new participants, the Kairos Torch Weekend can be filled with uncertainty. What is this about? Can I trust these people? Is change really possible for someone like me?

Then, a Torch Bearer quietly enters the room with a tray of food or a handful of Agape posters. He doesn’t need to preach, his presence says it all: “I’ve been where you are, and you’re not alone. I made it through, and you can too.”

Their presence calms anxiety, breaks down skepticism, and builds a silent bridge of credibility that even the most well-meaning adult volunteer can’t always cross.

Serving With Purpose

Under the guidance of the Agape and Kitchen Leaders, Torch Bearers serve in deeply practical ways: delivering meals, clearing supplies, and handing out general and personal Agape. When permitted, they also help deliver cookies to others in the facility, spreading the spirit of the Weekend beyond the circle of participants.

But there are boundaries too, Torch Bearers do not hover around tables, remain in the community room unnecessarily, or take part in discussions. Their role is service, not participation. This protects the sacred space that new participants need while still allowing Torch Bearers to lead by example.

When there are multiple Torch Bearers available, scheduling four-hour shifts ensures each one stays focused, energized, and meaningfully engaged.

The Blessing of Giving Back

What may surprise some is just how much serving as a Torch Bearer impacts the alumni themselves. For many, this is the first time they’ve been trusted with responsibility, relied upon by others, or seen as a role model. It is empowering.

It reinforces their own growth, reminding them of how far they’ve come since their first Weekend. It also gives them the chance to give back, to be the light they once needed. 

A Model of Redemption

In the end, Torch Bearers are more than kitchen helpers or agape runners, they are quiet symbols of redemption in motion. They are evidence that Kairos Torch is not just a weekend event, but a pathway to lasting change. Their service strengthens the program, encourages the new participants, and affirms their own journey of healing.

And maybe most beautifully, they remind us all, that no one is beyond God’s reach, and that even in confinement, lives can shine.