Legislation company main points grownup misconduct via international ministry chief
Ravi Zacharias, who died in Would possibly after a high-profile occupation main a world Christian ministry, engaged in grownup misconduct with therapeutic massage therapists and carried on many amorous extramarital relationships by means of textual content message and electronic mail, in step with a scathing, in-depth file from a regulation company employed via the ministry.
5 of the therapists mentioned Zacharias touched them inappropriately, and one mentioned she was once raped, in step with the file.
It mentioned investigators looking India-born Zacharias’ cellular gadgets discovered greater than 200 pictures of younger girls, together with nude pictures of a salon worker in Malaysia.
In blunt phrases, the file via Atlanta-based Miller & Martin mentioned Zacharias had lied in claiming in 2017 that “I’ve by no means engaged in any irrelevant behaviour of any sort.”
Coinciding with the file’s free up on Thursday, the board of administrators of Ravi Zacharias Global Ministries issued a observation of “company repentance.”
The board apologised for previous statements that belittled accusers and pledged steps to enhance sufferers, struggle abuse and harassment, and re-evaluate the control construction, which is overseen via Zacharias’ eldest daughter, ministry CEO Sarah Davis.
“We’re devastated via what the investigation has proven and are full of sorrow for the ladies who had been harm via this horrible abuse,” the board mentioned.
Zacharias, who died of most cancers on the age of 74, was once a extensively in style writer and speaker, with many celebrities and distinguished Christian leaders amongst his admirers. Then-Vice President Mike Pence spoke at his memorial provider in Would possibly, lauding him as an ideal evangelist “armed with mind, girded with reality and love.”
Zacharias based his world ministry, referred to as RZIM, in 1984, with a venture to interact in “Christian apologetics” — protecting Christianity with tough highbrow arguments. Primarily based in suburban Atlanta, RZIM has operations in about 20 nations and a roster of rankings of touring audio system.
In contemporary months, the organisation has been plunged into disaster, induced via a Sept 29 article within the evangelical e-newsletter Christianity Nowadays. The object asserted that over a length of about 5 years, Zacharias sexually careworn 3 ladies who labored as therapeutic massage therapists at two day spas he co-owned in an Atlanta suburb.
