Didnt know that about the LLCs as I have searched for different pastors in the past. She responded that RZIM will not confirm their address and did not answer my question. 03422292). We value our integrity and have sacrificed to preserve it. Though the organization told CT it would hire a law firm to investigate the claims, RZIM said in the same statement that it considered the claims false. Margie Zacharias, Ravi's widow, resigned from the board and the ministry in January, while her daughter Sarah Davis stepped down as board chair but remains CEO. The new allegations have been a watershed. Born on March 26, 1946, Chennai, India, Ravi Zacharias breathed his last among loved ones on May 19, 2020. In an email to her extended family, Margie Zacharias defended her husband, saying that after . Hi. Tick this box to receive great Christian content from Premier and others, keep up to date and hear about ways you can support our work. He promoted unity with the WHORE of REVELATION, the Vatican that was his Greatest Sin. And about RZIM, C&MA, ECFA etc, what are we trying to achieve? "He could never have kept a secret like they are alleging (alleging, I say, as there is not one whit of evidence to support what they are saying)," said Margie in an email that her son, Nathan, published on his blog . Zachariass daughter, RZIM CEO Sarah Davis, promised to release the full results of an ongoing independent investigation. She and her husband have now, as a result of these ladies, come out publicly, about two days ago to address their side of the story after having signed an NDA with Ravi. He was involved in Christian apologetics for a period spanning more than forty years. They had three children, Sarah, Nathan, and Naomi. When I was a young believer his words were like music to my years. She also found cards that therapists had sent "thanking him for the blessing he was to them, for his encouragement to them, for leading them into a deeper walk with the Lord or being instrumental in bringing them to the Lord". But that wasnt true. Including financial indiscretions & governance compromises on the part of family members on the board. I didnt bother to ask Lapp about the Zacharias family receiving more than $1 million or about Ravis $1.6 million rabbi trust and housing allowance. The wife of the late Ravi Zacharias wrote an email to her family about her husband's alleged sexual abuse. Subscribers receive full access to the archives. No Celebrities Except Jesus: How Asbury Protected the Revival, After Pushing for UMC Unity, Former Bishop Joins New Denomination, The Kings College Faces Threat of Closure, Southern Baptist Convention Disfellowships Saddleback Church, evasiveness, misinformation, and intimidation, With Gossip of the Gospel, the Church Grows in Nepal. In her email, Margie Zacharias explains how she started going through Ravi's belongings as she was given 90 days by RZIM to leave their house and "wanted to be certain that nothing was left of Ravi that anyone could take and twist and create a story to use against him". The board apparently cleared Zacharias of any wrongdoing without ever having access to all the correspondence, Baker-Hytch said. Ravi Zacharias built a reputation for fearless pursuit of the truth. He was alone with many women on staff, said Carson Weitnauer, a longtime staff member who worked in the Atlanta office until he resigned from RZIM on Monday after publishing an essay in the Christian Post about how he lost faith in Zacharias. Zacharias' wife, Margie, has so far refused to release Thompson from the NDA, she said in January. Over the past three months, CT interviewed seven current and two former RZIM speakers and staff in five countries. In her Tuesday statement, Davis was willing to admit she and others in leadership had made mistakes. In a staff devotional meeting before Christmas, Margie ZachariasRavis widow and the chief culture officer at RZIMassured everyone that the ministrys donors are letting us know loudly and clearly that they are still with us, according to multiple people in attendance. Theyd meet in his office to work on projects.. But what does it matter? I wish I had seen/heard Zacharias response to your question. Fernando Ortega and Ravi Zacharias. I am deeply saddened by all of this and more by the fact that many Christians would rather not have their Christian celebrities reputations tarnished. In 2015, RZIM also paid Zacharias family members more than a million dollars. I dont think anyone would have thought consciously in their head, Oh, Ravis reputation is more important than victims of sexual abuse, Baker-Hytch said, but I think that has sometimes been the impression that the leaderships words and actions have created.. I did not find it at all graceful though and it felt more like he was wading through quicksand. After the latest accusations, it became harder to accept these explanations. But Miller & Martin was hired by the board, and has a fiduciary responsibility to the board, so Im quite sure this will not happen. Associated Press. But confession, repentance and a path to restoration seem to be missing here! Other family members made public statements attacking those who would criticize Zacharias. Many must have noticed and yet kept quiet, especially his own colleagues so all of RZIM is guilty of hiding lies and all are beneficiaries financially. What a stain on Christianity. What a travesty and so sickening. The family of Ravi Zacharias is using a 2020 post on Ravi's Facebook page decrying slavery to promote a new nonprofit led by Naomi Zacharias. Facebook Twitter RSS. In 2015the same year that Steve Baughman began investigating Ravi ZachariasRZIM was granted its request to be classified as an association of churches by the IRS. Were going to find out what happened. . In an email to her extended family, Margie . Margaret happily married her late husband Ravi Zacharias. One woman said that he had raped her and justified the rape by saying it was his "'reward' for living . There were also the inflated scholarly credentials that he lied about. 9. I say this with all due respect because it was hard for me to believe too until I took the time to read these articles and listen to her broadcast with Steve. That doesnt strike against their credibility. 02816074) and Christian Communication Partnership Ltd (no. While this may be true, I think its irresponsible to accuse one who cannot defend against the allegations, said someone on Facebook. Ravi Zacharias International Ministries CEO Sarah Davis announced the . Baker-Hytch later learned from one board member and an outside adviser that they had only reviewed some of the correspondencea binder of selected and printed out messages. Sign up for our newsletter: Opinion: What is Revivaland is it Happening at Asbury? A number of ministry teammates believe the fault doesnt lie only with Zacharias, but also with the top ministry officials who supported a culture that allowed him to abuse women without any fear of being challenged and encouraged the casual dismissal of allegations against him. AD . But confession, repentance and a path to restoration seem to be missing here! CRN offers a lifeline to conservative people of faith. This was in addition to the $3.1 million Harvest paid MacDonald in private accounts over a three-year period, and the $1.2 million MacDonald received in deferred compensation. Ravi and Margie Zacharias are seen in this May 7, 2020, photo. "He could never have kept a secret like they are alleging (alleging, I say, as there is not one whit of evidence to support what they are saying). Especially so for Ravi's wife, Margie, and family. 8. If sin is overlooked a few times, we tend to continue in sin!. Just appreciating your humble response PD7 which is beautiful to see. Great comment. I continue to pray this and when the investigation is completed, we intend to address allegations past and present, to ask forgiveness where needed, to seek restoration where appropriate. Ironically, Ravis disgraced name is fitting for such a disgraceful organization. The couple added that during the only conversation they had with the C&MA, General Counsel Gary Friesen told them that the sexting matter was a he said she said situation and the truth of the matter could not be known. Nathan Zacharias, son of the late apologist Ravi Zacharias, said he will continue to defend his father's name and legacy with whatever force necessary. Toward that end, the site requires that people use their full name when commenting. And while extending olive branches to various branches of Christianity is not inherently bad, questions arise when one goes beyond protestant walls. The law firm RZIM hired for the investigation, Miller & Martin, is telling, as well. Ravi's widow deserves to stay in that home. While the last RZIM 990 filed was for the year ending Sep 2015, and it checked the association of churches box (filing voluntarily), it was not filed until 2016 and the *approval letter* for reclassification from the IRS wasnt until March 2019. Plus, the loan gave Kepes the ability to have undue influencenot just on a key employee, Naomibut also on another board member, Margie Zacharias, and while he was living, Ravi. At the very least, with all the medication he was on at the end and his hallucinations something would have come out if something were there," the email continued. RZIM staff originally heard that the allegations against Zacharias were baseless attacks designed to hurt their gospel work. Sin is not the problem here. The efforts could lead to significant changes to the ministry, following the release of the full investigative report. ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO (ANS) Three-time Dove-winning musician, Fernando Ortegawho just lost his mother, Eva Pacheco Ortega, age 93reflects on the passing of Ravi Zacharias. Lynsey Barron, the lead investigator, said the team has interviewed dozens of witnesses, including many massage therapists who have spoken candidly and with great detail. The investigators reported interviewing other sources confirming and corroborating allegations of sexual abuse as well. Julie, can you say why you think they lived at the Gate Project house for several years? On May 8th, 2020 Ravi wished his wife a happy 48th anniversary by posting on Instagram, '48 years ago she gave me her hand in marriage. Nathan Zacharias, Ravi's son, has started a blog called "Defending Ravi", in which he takes issue with a number of the assertions made . The Roys Report seeks to foster thoughtful and respectful dialogue. In all-staff meetings held between the start of October and the Christmas break in 2020, top leaders impugned the outlets reporting the allegations, speculated about the possibility of elaborate conspiracies to attack Zachariass reputation, prayed against demonic forces, and asked the staff to trust them and the law firm they hired. 03-06-2020. RZIM also engaged in questionable governance and financial practices for years, enriching Zacharias and his family, and giving them undue control over the ministry. Margie Zacharias, is she in denial or protecting something else? After the allegations emerged, Davis and president Michael Ramsden repeatedly assured staff members that they would not cover anything up. Private devotion, community service, and entertainment arent what the local congregation is for. There should be a much larger system of accountability, especially in mega churches. Before the interim report said there was substantial evidence of sexual misconduct, Ramsden speculated about a possible conspiracy, suggesting CT might have fabricated the abuse victims or that an atheist blogger might have paid the women and coached them to lie. The law firm hired to investigate multiple allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse by the late Ravi Zacharias has released an interim report. carta para mi hermana embarazada ken climo injury margie zacharias home. Maybe it makes us feel better about ourselves? wrote Robert Drew McNeil, ex-husband of Zachariass daughter Naomi and former director of the RZIM Academy, on Twitter in mid-October. The address for the home was listed on a 2019 background report for Ravi Zacharias as his current address. We anticipate that this investigation will address many of the questions and concerns members of the team are raising, Davis wrote in an email to all staff before the public announcement on December 23, and we commit to addressing these with you at the appropriate time, after the investigation is complete.. She was fired. Even now, after revelation of shocking sexual abuse and harassment allegations by massage therapists at spas Zacharias co-owned, RZIM seems bent on denial. You are doing the right thing Julie. But to make this happen, we need your help. As The Roys Report reported in October, the house in which Ravi and Margie Zacharias lived was bought in 2018 by an LLC managed by an RZIM executive. of course im done with it all. Im not committing to this interpretation of events but I thinks its a possibility. Following three allegations made in August 2020 that late Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias engaged in sexual misconduct and abuse in connection with two day spas, his namesake organization, Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) commissioned a law firm, Miller & Martin PLLC, to conduct an independent investigation. First, Zacharias was accused over the years of claiming academic credentials that he hadnt earned. Her husband was accused of sexting, spiritual abuse and rape," according to Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM), which conducted an independent investigation into the allegations in 2020. The suggestion that I or my agnostic and moslem friends and relatives are on sin-level par with Ravi is beyond insulting. Another daughter, Naomi Zachariasdirector of Wellspring International, the stated beneficiary of one of Zacharias spas where abuse allegedly occurredwas paid nearly $150,000. He told me that the C&MA did request documentation from Lori Anne Thompson. We will not notify you again about this until you next restart your browser. Further, Renolds has a body measurement of around 42-34-40 inches. It is too costly to my whole frame and family to engage in public defence of the utterly indefensible". The credibility of the recent allegations led them to scrutinize RZIMs statements about Zachariass settlement of a 2017 lawsuit with the woman who said he groomed her into sending him sexually explicit messages. Thank you for doing this incredibly distasteful and painful work. Zacharias was the author of more than thirty books on Christianity, He also hosted the radio . We believed that God had uniquely gifted him, built him for this life, never seeing the fraying, the vulnerability, the dark side., According to Davis, we forgot he was just a man, because he seemed like such an exceptional one. At the time. I dont remember him sharing how he felt ashamed about his private sins anywhere publicly. Nathan Zacharias, the son of the late apologist Ravi Zacharias spoke out on social media regarding the allegations of sexual misconduct which have been mounting against his father who died last spring. margie zacharias home. Ravi Zacharias' Death At 74. We invent ways of managing sin! He is just the most well known. They have said they want the full truth to be told so the ministry can move forward. Senior RZIM leaders and board members (whose names are not made public) now face pressure from within the ministry to demonstrate a new commitment to accountability. Ravi Zacharias, who spent his life defending Christianity through books and lectures, has died. Ravi served as chairman. If the board staged a coverup, they shouldnt be managing anyones money or reputation. Much of the response seemed intent on avoiding responsibility. However, the explanation simply says that the trust is for the purpose of paying disbursed compensation to the founder upon retirement, death, or disability and is revocable. She concluded her email affirming her confidence on her husband's innocence. By their accounts, the apologetics ministrycommitted to the fearless pursuit of the truthseemed at key moments to withhold information from staff, fudge the facts to be more favorable to Zacharias, and prioritize the protection of the founders reputation over everything else. What we do know is there are multiple women, about 6 from the past and Lori from recently who are alleging inappropriate sexual behavior. Give a gift of $30 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you will receive Escaping the Maze of Spiritual Abuse by Dr. Lisa Oakley and Justin Humphreys. Certainly, it was a damaging preliminary report and we were under no obligation to release it, Davis wrote. Why are our leaders living so differently than Jesus lived? Because we all sin and fall. According to Allberry, there has been evasiveness, misinformation, and intimidation. Gilman asked a question about how RZIMs initial denial had characterized victims of sexual abuse and was told by a supervisor that he should reconsider whether RZIM was a good fit for him anymore. Some teammates have asked that RZIM put out a call for other victims to come forwardand promise safety to any who do. Lori-Anne Thompson, who wrote of her need to confess her own adultery (itself an admission of dishonesty), is a sexual abuse survivor who claims she was "groomed". Its likely, then, that RZIMs investigation will not be an attempt to discover the truth, but rather a ruse to justify a foregone conclusion. Jessica Lea August 12, 2022. Is Margaret Reynolds Married. Baker-Hytch said that, ahead of the announcement before Christmas, there was a building sense of powerlessness among team members who dont think their questions were being answered or their concerns taken seriously. Then, days before Christmas, RZIM officially recognized substantial evidence that Zacharias sexually abused multiple women. It took a prophet to make him see his sin. Christian apologist and evangelist Ravi Zacharias was called home to be the Lord today (May 19) in his home in Atlanta, following a brief battle with sarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer. And this is frightening, considering that the ministry manages $30 million to $40 million in donations each year. A man lives a life of integrity for 74 years, and people will still believe lies that are wholly incompatible with who he was. The 2015 form 990 also states that RZIM provided a "housing allowance or residence for personal use" to Ravi and Margie Zacharias.