Known for his pioneering life of faith, Colin Urquhart was a beloved spiritual father, apostle and teacher to many around the world. He was at the forefront of the Charismatic Renewal Movement both in the UK and internationally in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. Until his passing in 2021, Colin continued to minister, teach and mentor church leaders.
He empowered many thousands to experience and walk in a measure of all he had personally contended for in his own walk with God. Whether he was praying for people in a large gathering or sharing God’s plan and provision for their healing one-on-one, Colin lived with a desire to see the “even greater things” that Jesus spoke about become normal for us all. This was his expectation wherever God sent him to minister.
One of his greatest passions was to see others live in the fullness of God’s life through the power of the Word demonstrating the reality of God’s Kingdom in everyday life.
An ordained minister for over 50 years, Colin founded Kingdom Faith, an apostolic ministry that continues to impact the nations today through its own and relating churches, as well as students trained at the Bible College. Having both experienced and led others in revival, Colin’s own apostolic ministry has left an enduring legacy valued throughout the world.
From “the move of love” in the early days of St. Hugh’s in Luton in the 1970s to the many large Faith Camp gatherings and Revival “seeking the Lord” meetings, there were moments when it seemed that a simple prayer and the laying on of hands led to a breakout of healing among those present. Whether basking in the gentle presence of the Lord or exalted in high praise, the atmosphere of faith grew and filled the room. Those who sat directly under his apostolic and pastoral leadership were always encouraged in their own faith journey, while experiencing the love of God.
Colin was known for his ability to make profound truths simple and easy to apply practically to everyday life. With his love of illustrations, he was adept at making the Bible come to life, whatever the background of the congregation.
Colin remained humble and self-effacing throughout his life and ministry, refusing to take any glory or any credit for anything God ever did through his life. He referred to the Lord as his “Master” and his desire was to always be obedient to what God asked him to do, knowing full well that apart from Jesus he could do nothing. This led to his extraordinary life and ministry that has impacted so many, with lives being saved, healed and set free through the truth of God’s Word.
As a young boy of 8, he had a vision of God’s glory which set the course of his life: “I had this vision of God reigning in heavenly glory. I was captivated by this, and it was so wonderful that I would kneel night after night waiting for a repeat. Every so often it happened. It’s impossible to describe. It was a vision of something beyond this life. It was as if the figure of God was becoming real to me.”
At the age of 23 Colin was ordained as an Anglican minister and his greatest desire was that others would encounter God in His glory as he had done as a young boy. In 1964, a year later, Colin married Caroline and together they embarked on a life of serving others that led them to arriving at St. Hugh’s, Luton in 1970.
It was there, while Colin was vicar, that he first experienced a powerful season that many would call a “revival” or “renewal.” Colin called this “a move of love” born out of studying the book of Acts and the early Church. The visitation led to many reports of supernatural healing and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It was known locally as “The Miracle Church” and the story of that period became a best-selling and highly influential book, When the Spirit Comes. As news of miracles and healings started to travel, the church attracted media attention, firstly amongst Christian circles with an article in Renewal magazine and then more widely through a documentary produced by the BBC.
In 1976 Colin resigned his position as vicar at St Hugh’s to respond to the apostolic call on his life and the numerous invitations he was receiving to travel and serve the Church across the world. First the invitations were from the UK, followed very quickly with invites from South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and Singapore. Balancing a young family at home, he alternated travelling in the UK and then further afield, always with the faith and revival dynamic which marked his life and ministry coupled with a deep desire to see all those he ministered to encounter God in His glory.
In August 1978 Colin and his family moved to The Hyde, Handcross, and established a base for the growing ministry. Joined by others with the same vision, a team grew around him that would eventually grow to about 60 people, including families. The life they shared was very similar to the early Church in Acts 2. During this time the Kingdom Faith Teaching Course was produced and 6,000 teaching cassettes were being sent out each month to groups who were using Colin’s foundational teaching. Two key books from this period — In Christ Jesus and Anything You Ask — unpacked this teaching and became bestsellers.
This season also led to Leaders’ Weeks and Revival Weeks at The Hyde. With numerous invitations to minister, it became evident to Colin that it would be more effective for leaders and lay leaders of churches to attend encounter meetings at one location rather than spending so much time travelling. Month after month, more leaders would attend, encounter Jesus in His glory, and return to their own places of ministry renewed, revived and full of the Holy Spirit.
With a desire to see more people impacted and encountering God’s glory, the first Faith Camp was launched in 1983 at the Newark Showground before moving to Peterborough Showground two years later. For 36 years Kingdom Faith’s annual summer camp for the whole family was a significant gathering point that grew to more than 5,000 people of all ages. These weeks were marked by powerful teaching, life-changing ministry and a deep sense of God’s presence. Many encountered the Lord in profound ways through the anointed worship and the tangible work of the Holy Spirit.
Churches from across the UK regularly brought large groups, knowing the camp could bring about a level of spiritual growth and momentum that might otherwise take months to achieve. Entire congregations were often renewed in vision and passion. People travelled from all over Britain and from many other nations with faith-filled expectation, often experiencing God in personal and miraculous ways.
Though the camp came to an end in 2018 its impact continues to be felt in the lives of those who attended, and in the churches and communities that were changed through those unforgettable weeks.
In January 1984 a vision to train Christians for ministry and leadership was realised through God’s miraculous provision and Kingdom Faith Bible College opened its doors at Roffey Place on the outskirts of Horsham. For 36 years the college served as a training ground for students from the UK and around the world, preparing them for a wide range of ministries within the Body of Christ. Many who studied there went on to play key roles in bringing revival to their nations and carrying the DNA of living a faith-filled life wherever God would lead them. It truly became a place where people were gathered from the nations and sent out by God to impact the nations.
As a predominantly residential college, it placed a strong emphasis on personal discipleship, helping students not only to learn but to live out their faith. Each year, the college experienced a powerful move of the Holy Spirit, reflecting Kingdom Faith’s own heritage of revival. Lives were profoundly transformed through deepening relationships with the Lord. The presence of God was a defining hallmark of the college, evident in its worship, teaching and outreach.
Though the Bible College closed in 2020 its legacy lives on through the countless individuals who were equipped, empowered, and sent out to serve God’s purposes across the world.
By the 1980s Colin became widely known as an author and speaker at charismatic conferences across the world, writing more than 45 books in over five decades of ministry, including many best-sellers and even a new translation of the New Testament, The Truth, which was released in 2009. The content of his books always flowed out of what God was doing in Kingdom Faith during any given season. Colin’s desire was for others across the Body of Christ to share in the same revelation and begin to live in these truths for themselves.
In 1992 Colin planted Kingdom Faith Church in Horsham. The congregation grew quickly and in subsequent years became a multi-site church across Sussex that continues to emphasise worship, encounter with God and the clearly explained faith teaching that is found in all of Colin’s books.
Kingdom Faith has also planted congregations in London, Manchester, Yorkshire and the Southwest UK. In addition, many churches both in the UK and overseas have chosen to be in relationship with Kingdom Faith. Through these partnerships Kingdom Faith continues to serve and strengthen other churches by encouraging them to grow in the same biblical foundations on which the ministry has been and continues to be built: the powerful working together of God’s Word and Spirit in the lives of believers and the Church as a whole.
Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s Colin produced many TV programmes for Christian Television and was a regular guest on various channels in the UK. He had a daily radio programme on Christian Radio for many years and recorded over 1,000 Faith for Today episodes which are still listened to today.
In 2005 Colin passed on the leadership of Kingdom Faith to his son, Clive Urquhart.
During his final years of ministry Colin remained principle of the Bible College, delighting in teaching and training the students and he continued to write. The Lord’s Orchard was his final major work along with a further 3 mini-book series helping people discover Jesus for themselves and begin their journey of faith.
“The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” This Scripture from Galatians 5:6b sums up the life of faith and love that Colin lived since his first encounter as a young boy to his final days before he passed away and was promoted to glory on 13 September 2021 at 81 years old.
With his family gathered around him, Colin’s final words were: “Take the stick and raise the banner.” It was a powerful commission to the next generation—a call to rise with courage, to carry forward the passion and purpose that had shaped his life. Colin gave everything to a cause greater than himself. He lived with unwavering conviction, stood for truth, and inspired countless others to do the same. He finished his race with honour.
Colin’s legacy lives on through the lives of his wife Caroline and their three children, Claire, Clive and Andrea, along with their families and the countless people who have been impacted by his ministry. His greatest desire now would be that we would continue to seek after God’s Kingdom, to listen to the Father’s voice and be obedient in whatever God has called us to do.
As he would so often say: “It’s all about Jesus!”