A Personal Response to the Recent Revelations about Ravi Zacharias

By Bishop Efraim Tendero, Secretary General, World Evangelical Alliance

ON RAVI ZACARIAS

Ravi Zacharias, one of my Christian heroes was fatally wounded in battle. I grieve as one among those who was not able to help, being unaware of the concealed wounds he carried alone to his grave.

I grieve, in that by concealing his wounds he lost the battle.

I grieve that innocent women were victimized by him abusing a position of spiritual authority.

I grieve that there has been no administration of justice and restitution for these violations.

I grieve for his wife and family who now bear the shock and shame of scandals made public after his death. 

I grieve for the stumbling he may cause those to whom he has ministered. 

I grieve that the ministry he built suffers as they attempt to reconstitute a ministry which had helped so many.

I grieve that the Gospel witness is tarnished.

I grieve that he died alone, carrying his personal suffering to death. 

I am consoled that God allowed his secrets to be revealed so that victims can be heard, and that care and restitution will enable restoration and healing.

I am consoled that that the International Board of the Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) has commissioned a full and independent investigation and declared repentance for having allowed such abuses and for not providing accountability for Ravi in his life and ministry.

I pray that RZIM Board will be kind and generous in providing restitution to the victims and enable justice to emerge.

I pray that the God of justice and mercy will bring healing to the victims, his family, the RIZM Family, and indeed to the whole body of Christ.

Efraim M. Tendero

2/22/2021

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