While the report did not interview sources abroad, investigators uncovered evidence that Zacharias routinely met massage therapists when he traveled.
In Bangkok, he owned two apartments in the early s, sharing a building with one of his massage therapists, the investigators found. It also shows the ministry provided little to no accountability for its namesake and founder. Zacharias well knew how to elude them. The investigation confirmed that Zacharias lied about not being alone with a woman other than his wife or daughters.
He also maintained multiple phones at all times, kept them on a different wireless plan than RZIM, and never used the wireless network at the office. Zacharias said this was for security, but it ensured his communication could not be monitored.
Each example in the report contrasts with the public witness of a leader—and a ministry—known for preaching integrity and truth. God does. Many who looked up to Zacharias as a mentor, model, and spiritual father have been trying to grapple with the new information, their feelings of betrayal, and questions about their own responsibility.
Jesus comes to restore justice through judgment. Oh, how I wish Ravi repented here! As CT previously reported , fights over complicity and accountability roiled the ministry for months as the investigation continued. At the start of the new year, RZIM was bracing for a split. Davis informed staff that some global offices may decide to separate from RZIM and become independent, national organizations. Some senior apologists in RZIM think national separation is the only way to preserve parts of the ministry that are doing good work.
Lennox withdrew from all association with RZIM the day after CT reported the spa allegations, but told British apologists he would happily work with them if they were to form an independent organization. Other national boards are also in the process of disentangling themselves from the US headquarters, according to multiple sources inside the ministry. The Canadian apologetics ministry also laid off four team members, including Daniel Gilman, a speaker who decided he believed the women who accused Zacharias of sexual abuse and vocally challenged RZIM leadership to acknowledge complicity.
Gilman told CT he was deeply concerned the ministry he loved would choose to rebrand but not repent. Gilman protested and the NDA was replaced with an agreement to keep donor information confidential. Many more layoffs are expected soon.
RZIM employees told CT that they expect the international ministry, which once boasted speakers and staff members nationwide, will be reduced to a fraction of that. After the staff reductions and national splits, the team that remains will likely be some of the speakers who were closest to Zacharias and have well-established relationships with major donors.
Davis stepped down as chair of the board, handing the reins over to Chris Blattner, a retired energy company executive and major donor from Minnesota.
During the crisis, however, Davis has taken on more of the day-to-day management of RZIM, personally putting her name to all internal and external communication. RZIM announced it is bringing in victims advocate Rachael Denhollander to educate the board and leadership on sexual abuse and advise them on best practices going forward.
One of the massage therapists he groped, masturbated in front of, and asked for sexually explicit images watched in shock as the apologist was honored and celebrated on a livestream. She worried about other women who might be out there, hurting.
She prayed that something would happen. When the woman read about what happened to Lori Anne Thompson, she recognized what had happened to that woman was what had happened to her. As far as she could tell, this atheist blogger was the only one who cared that Zacharias had sexually abused people and gotten away with it. Not an acknowledgement. Certainly not an apology. She only spoke out because she wanted other women—women hurt by Zacharias, and women victimized by other famous and celebrated Christians—to know the truth.
The Lord is doing this, and what will be left over is what God wants to be left over. Sections Home. Bible Coronavirus Prayer. He loves to lift up the soul that is bowed down. He has revived His people on small and large scales an untold number of times in the Scriptures, throughout church history, and around the world today.
Our nation has one of the richest histories of God working revival and awakening. We have so many resources today that make it easy to seek God through the internet, smart phone apps, computer programs, movies, books, various copies of the Bible, Christian friends, local churches, and national laws that allow us religious freedom.
Yes, better managerial processes are good, but more prayerfulness and spiritual depth should be the topic of the first questions asked, not the second, third, or not discussed at all. Only the power of the Holy Spirit in our soul can change our hearts and strengthen us to walk through His narrow gate.
Chuck Hetzler is the executive director of Christian Union Day and Night, a ministry that promotes spiritual strengthening in Christians across America, helping them thrive in order to make an impact in an increasingly secular culture by covenanting together for successive spiritual initiatives. Register Login Contact Give.
March 12, Asking the Wrong Questions about Ravi Zacharias…. What was wrong with the culture of the ministry? Why is their board of directors anonymous? Why would a non-disclosure agreement be signed, in the case of the Canadian couple? Did RZIM have annual gatherings for biblical messages of repentance, confession of sin, calls to godly living, dedicated corporate prayer times, and so on?
Home The Magazine. Please complete all required fields! Christian Union reaches students with the Gospel and develops leaders at the most influential universities in America, works in key cities to build networks of Christian leaders, and — through CU Day and Night — encourages believers to seek God wholeheartedly.
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