UPDATED ON JULY 30, 2023: I originally wrote this article before all the report about Zacharias’s antics. While the reports on the fall of Zacharias are numerous (https://julieroys.com/?s=Zach+Zacharias & https://religionnews.com/2021/02/11/ravi-zacharias-report-massage-bangkok-selfies-masturbate-rzim-apology/) there are some reasons to possibly disbelieve some of these reports as well (https://defendingravi.com/ & https://premierchristian.news/en/news/article/ravi-zacharias-son-says-he-still-believes-in-dad-s-innocence-almost-two-years-on-since-report-on-sexual-misconduct). Whether Zacharias was guilty or not is in God’s hands & the court of public opinion can rage on. My article simply reflects my own experience of RZIM & the positive impact of that ministry in my own life.
I don’t usually publicly mourn the death of public figures, but I do this one. If memory serves me correctly, it was Ravi’s book “Can Man Live Without God?” that was the first apologetics book I’d read. I can remember being intrigued by the great ideas he brought up in that book, and the draw the life of the mind had on me. As the years went on I read more of his books and listened to him speak often through his programs or messages. I can say this: I will miss his voice, and I think that evangelical Christianity will miss his voice in ways it won’t notice immediately. Zacharias spoke so clearly and compellingly into every circumstance he was called to speak. What struck me about Ravi is that he was a great balance between a sharp mind and a warm heart for God and for others. He could be bold and assertive, but it was always in a humble manner. He is, without question, one of the best modern-day storytellers that evangelical Christianity has had. He would often begin his stories with, “I was once in a country which I shall leave unnamed…” and then would begin to wrap a solid point with that story. His voice was a unique one and people, of every age and nation, seemed to lend him their ears.
Through the years I continued to get the emails from the RZIM team because I’ve continued to be encouraged by the ministry work they’re doing across the world. It has always thrilled my soul to see Ravi and his team go into, especially, college situations and answer the questions that doubting students have. I can remember one particular University where Ravi was done speaking and the Q&A time was finished and he was simply hanging out with the students and answering their questions. For whatever reason the camera did not cut off (in this particular instant), and it was so encouraging to watch these young college students flock around Ravi and to watch him receive them graciously and respond to their questions. What I have noticed about Ravi throughout the years is that his ministry was never purely an intellectual pursuit, but he was really an evangelist at heart. He was always teaching and responding with the heart of an evangelist, with the heart of one who desired to introduce Christ to others. It was also encouraging to me to see Ravi, and his team, go into many global leadership situations (especially in the Middle East or into Russia) and speak the gospel there. The doors that were opened to RZIM is simply unfathomable and those are doors that, again, only God could open. In addition to the itinerary in the email updates, I always enjoyed receiving an update from Ravi himself as to his thoughts about some recent world-wide situation or ministry endeavor. Again, a strong voice with a sharp mind and a heart for God and for people. In my opinion, a good balance for all Christians to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength.
One of Ravi’s stories that particularly sticks out, and is meaningful to me, is one where he was returning home after being gone for many weeks. He said that he was exhausted and really anxious to get home and that once he went through the door and put all of his bags down his 5-year old little girl (I believe it was Naomi) was there, staring at him, when he arrived. He said that he through his arms out to her wanting her to come and hug and embrace him and that, for just a few seconds, she looked at him as if, “Who is this man that just came through the door?” After a few seconds he said that her eyes Lit Up like a Christmas tree and that she came running into his arms to tightly embrace her Daddy. Then Ravi said something that has always stayed with me. He said, “In that moment, when my little girl recognized me and ran to hug me after I had been gone so long, I learned more in those few seconds about the meaning of life than I had in all my years of academic study and learning.” Now that I am a father of 6 children (2 who are in heaven), and I have experienced that moment that Ravi speaks of here, I can truly say that it’s those moments when loved ones embrace you that means the most. I am grateful for my vocation, for the ministry, for the people I am able to meet and influence, etc. I do find great meaning in my work; that is one reason why I do it! But even far and beyond the actual ministry work I do, I find a million more satisfying purposes fulfilled when my children say “Daddy’s Home!” when I come through the door after a day of work or after being gone for some time in some other venue.
If you don’t know who Ravi Zacharias is, then visit the link below and read about his life. It was a marvelous life that no one could plan and only God could orchestrate, at least regarding ministry opportunities. If you think that those who believe in Christianity are gullible, bigoted, hate-filled, ignorant individuals, then I’d point you to the link below and ask you to listen to the many speakers (including Ravi) who display a deep-thinking mind and a heart that loves God and loves people.
https://www.rzim.org/read/rzim-updates/ravi-zacharias-obituary