OUR STORY
Torchbearers International began in northern England in 1947, born out of a God-given vision in the aftermath of World War II. Returning from the war, Major W. Ian Thomas and his wife Joan opened their home at Capernwray to young people from across Europe. In those early years, the German students began calling themselves Fackelträger (“carriers of the torch”) and from this, the name “Torchbearers” was born. What began as a simple act of hospitality grew into a far-reaching ministry as lives were transformed by the dynamic reality of the Christian life as a relationship with the indwelling Christ.
Today, Torchbearers International is an interdenominational network of Bible schools and discipleship centres across more than 25 countries: a testimony to the risen Christ bringing into being that which otherwise could not have been. Each centre shares the same central message of the life and sufficiency of Jesus Christ in the believer, while expressing it within its own local context. Through Bible teaching, Christian community and practical discipleship, Torchbearers programmes seek to help individuals grow in their understanding of their identity in Christ and be equipped for a life of service in His church worldwide. International and interdenominational by nature, the movement is united by a shared desire to keep the person of Christ at the centre of its teaching and fellowship.
TORCHBEARERS SOUTH AFRICA
Torchbearers South Africa has its origins in a longstanding desire carried by Charles de Villiers, Programme Director, whose connection to Torchbearers International began when he attended Ravencrest Chalet in the United States in the 1980s. Deeply impacted by his experience there, Charles, together with his wife, Shannagh, have for many years carried a prayerful desire to see this same ministry established in South Africa, in God’s timing. This passion was also passed on within his family, with his daughters and sons-in-law experiencing Torchbearers for themselves and coming to share in the same vision to see its message take root locally.
In 2025, God opened the way for Torchbearers to come to South Africa as several circumstances aligned in a clear and providential manner, including the opportunity to host programmes at Em’seni Camp & Conference Centre in KwaZulu-Natal. With the support of Torchbearers International, this led to the establishment of Torchbearers South Africa in 2026.
“It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”
PROGRAMME DIRECTOR
Charles de Villiers
Charles has a long-standing connection with the Torchbearers movement, having attended Ravencrest Chalet in 1982/83, where he completed a full academic year accredited by Columbia Bible College. At the end of the year, students had the opportunity to sit the Columbia Bible College exam, which Charles successfully completed. Since then, he and his wife, Shannagh, have remained actively involved, serving as official Torchbearers representatives in South Africa.
Charles holds a Bachelor of Theology from University of South Africa (UNISA) and is currently the Managing Director of Westside Enterprises. Alongside his professional responsibilities, he devotes significant time to leading and supporting various local ministries and is deeply committed to sharing the gospel.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
Our mission is to proclaim the transforming presence of Jesus Christ through biblical teaching and practical training, equipping men and women for service in His church worldwide. Torchbearers South Africa is part of Torchbearers International, an interdenominational fellowship of Bible schools and conference centres that share a common mission and set of values. Torchbearers South Africa therefore shares the doctrinal position and spiritual ethos of Torchbearers International. We don’t belong to a particular Christian denomination but we do hold to a core set of beliefs in God and His Word. We believe:
- In the one true God, eternally existing as Father, Son and Holy Spirit
- In the full deity and humanity of the Lord Jesus Christ
- That salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone
- In the indwelling life of Christ as the source of the Christian life
- In the authority and sufficiency of the Bible as God’s Word
- In the transforming work of the Holy Spirit
- In the unity of all believers in Christ
All teaching and programme content is grounded in Scripture and reflects the historic Christian faith as expressed through the Torchbearers movement. For a fuller statement of faith, please refer to the Statement of Faith of Torchbearers International.
THE SITE
Em’seni Camp & Conference Centre is set along the banks of the Tugela River in the foothills of the Drakensberg. In 1998, Hylton and Jenny Green offered four hectares of their farm land to serve the local Christian community and to see the spread of the gospel. After a lengthy process of finalising administrative matters and construction, the campsite became operational in 2005.
This history carries a personal significance for the Torchbearers South Africa team, as Chris Green, Charles’s son-in-law, is the son of Hylton and Jenny. The combination of spiritual heritage, family connection and natural beauty make Em’seni a fitting and meaningful home for the launch of Torchbearers South Africa.