FROM AN IDEA TO THE 100TH EDITION | KAIROS GLOBAL | JULY 2026

Author:  Joshy Joseph

Intro: Kairos Global’s Managing Editor Joshy Joseph reminisces about the magazine’s journey.

Ever since my college days in Pala, Kerala, I have been a devoted fan of Kairos Malayalam magazine. It has always been the one publication I almost always finish in a single sitting. Even during the seasons when I drifted away from the Lord and from Jesus Youth, Kairos was the anchor that brought me back. I still vividly remember reading a young girl’s testimony in those early days; I sat there crying, deeply moved by God’s love. It was Kairos that ultimately inspired me to attend the Wednesday night Jesus Youth prayer group at St Thomas College, Pala.

When I moved to America, my love for the magazine didn’t wane. I brought copies of Kairos to distribute to local prayer groups. The stories and testimonies continued to ignite my spirit; at times, I would literally jump out of my chair in fervour after reading. A single phrase from the magazine, ‘Bloom where you are planted,’ inspired us to initiate several new Jesus Youth prayer groups in the region.

The Call for an English Magazine

The turning point came when I introduced Kairos to a youth prayer group in Houston. The need for an English edition became instantly clear. While these young people came from Malayali families and understood spoken Malayalam, most of them could not read the script. Furthermore, if we wanted to reach youth in English congregations and local American universities, an English edition was necessary.

I contacted Dr Chackochan Njavallil, who was then the Chief Editor of Kairos Malayalam, and pitched the idea. To my surprise, he told me the concept had already been presented to the Jesus Youth International Council and approved months prior, but there was no one to coordinate it.

Dr Chackochan had already researched the logistics of publishing in detail. He suggested structured monthly themes, proposing that the first twelve months focus on the fruits of the Holy Spirit, with a pilot issue centred on the very first fruit: Love.

Asking for a Sign

That evening during prayer, an old memory flashed through my mind. Years earlier, during a counselling session, a counsellor had said, ‘It appears that Jesus is going to give Joshy a key.’ At that point, buying a Benz or a BMW was heavily on my mind, so I naturally assumed he meant a car key! But the counsellor quickly corrected me: ‘Joshy, it is not a car key at all, as you think. The Lord is going to give you a great responsibility.’ At the time, being married with four children and focused on my family, the thought of a huge new responsibility made me uneasy. But as time passed, I thought the Lord had forgotten about it.

Now, faced with launching a global magazine, I bargained with God, ‘Lord, if that promise from years ago was truly about coordinating this English magazine, show me a clear sign. If I feel it undeniably in my heart, I will do this for you.’ And I went to sleep, peacefully confident that I, who didn’t know a thing about journalism and had barely ever flipped through an English magazine, would never actually be tasked with running one.

The next morning at the office, a colleague unexpectedly walked into my room, gave me a piece of paper and asked me to read it. It was a moving article about the first fruit of the Holy Spirit: love. She said that while riding the bus that morning, she felt an anointing of the Spirit and was inspired to write about God’s love specifically to give to me. 

I was stunned. Within twelve hours of asking for a sign, I was handed an English article on the exact theme chosen for our pilot issue. When I shared this with close friends, their response struck me to the core: ‘What more signs do you possibly need?’ Recognising this as a definitive call from the Lord, exhilaration washed over me. The very next day, I called Dr Chackochan and told him I would coordinate the English magazine.

Starting from Scratch

Through Jesus Youth coordinators worldwide, we quickly formed an editorial board and circulation team. In our first meeting, we named the publication Kairos Global and decided to publish a 48-page pilot edition on the theme ‘Love’ within a year.

We also needed a way to handle subscriptions. Because of legal restrictions on transferring foreign funds into an Indian bank account, we decided to establish a registered non-profit organisation for Kairos in the United States, complete with a dedicated bank account and an online subscription portal.

Determined to give our absolute best to God, we went through hundreds of internationally published magazines. We analysed paper quality, dimensions, layouts, and page structures, eventually submitting a comprehensive project proposal to the Jesus Youth International Council.

Many well-meaning people discouraged us, warning that print magazines were dying, printing costs were skyrocketing, and the venture would likely fold within a year or two. But fully trusting that this was God’s blueprint, we pressed on.

After eighteen months of relentless hard work, and with the immense support of Jesus Youth America, the non-profit was established, a bank account was opened, and the global subscription portal went live. Our editorial team collected and prepared articles from around the globe, which were then beautifully brought to life by Mustard Tree, a design firm in Delhi. Guided entirely by divine providence, the pilot edition of Kairos Global was published in July 2017, and regularly from February 2018.

Celebrating Milestone 100

Today, you are holding the 100th edition of Kairos Global.

To those who predicted we wouldn't last past year two, our journey stands as a testament to God's faithfulness. How can we ever adequately thank the Lord who has nurtured and protected this magazine like a precious gem for the past eight years? Through severe economic crises and the global upheaval of COVID-19, we have never missed a single edition. This is simply a miracle of divine care. It is a beautiful reminder that when you step out in faith, He steps out as your safeguard.

This milestone belongs to many. Deepest praise goes to Dr Chackochan Njavallil, who steered this ship as Editor-in-Chief for the first seven years; his unwavering support, guidance, and mentorship from day one deserve an entire article on its own. Special thanks also go to the Executive Editors, Sharrol Jose in the beginning, and Tania Rose now, for their steadfast, tireless service. I am equally grateful to every single person who has lent their talents to our editorial board, circulation teams, and office staff over the years.

Prayer for the Future

Today, the print edition of Kairos Global reaches almost every country where Jesus Youth is active, delivering the Gospel to tens of thousands of young minds. To meet the digital age, our digital and audio editions are available entirely for free on the Cloud Catholic mobile app, and our entire archive of past issues accessible on the Kairos Media website.

The internet gives us boundless opportunities. I pray that these articles and testimonies are shared far and wide across social media, utilising the digital landscape to bring people back to the Lord, awaken sleeping hearts, and draw youth into the warmth of the Jesus Youth community.

Our dream now is to see Kairos Global published in even more languages, reaching bishops, priests, religious sisters, and youth workers across the globe so they can champion it in their own dioceses, parishes, schools, and colleges.

As Scripture reminds us: Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord (Romans 12:11). Please continue to keep Kairos and all our upcoming initiatives in your prayers.

Joshy Joseph is the Managing Editor of Kairos Global magazine and member of Kairos Media board. He lives in Houston, USA with his wife and four children, and works as an IT manager.