W. Ian Thomas (13 September 1914 - 1 August 2007) was an evangelist, Christian evangelical writer, theological teacher and founder of the Torchbearers Bible schools.
At the age of 12, he was invited to a Bible study group of the Crusaders Christian Youth Movement by a friend.
He started a slum club in the East End of London "out of a sheer desire to win souls, to go out and get them.
Thomas later reflected: "I got up the next morning to an entirely different Christian life, but I want to emphasize this: I had not received one iota more than I had already had for seven years!
"[1] Thomas served in the British Expeditionary Force in Belgium at the outset of World War II and taking part in the evacuation at Dunkirk.
(Distinguished Service Order) for conspicuous gallantry in taking out a German machine gun nest, and the T.D.