History of Ravi Zacharias in Timeline

Ravi Zacharias was an Indian-born Canadian-American Christian evangelical minister and apologist. He founded Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) and was active in Christian apologetics for over four decades. Zacharias authored more than thirty books and hosted the radio programs "Let My People Think" and "Just Thinking." He was ordained as a minister in the Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA), a Keswickian Christian denomination.

March 1946: Birth of Ravi Zacharias

Ravi Zacharias was born in Madras, India in March 1946.

1966: Ravi Zacharias Emigrates to Canada

In 1966, Ravi Zacharias and his family emigrated from India to Canada.

1971: Zacharias Evangelizes in South Vietnam

Ravi Zacharias spent the summer of 1971 evangelizing to U.S. soldiers and Viet Cong prisoners in South Vietnam.

May 1972: Zacharias Marries Margaret Reynolds

On May 19, 1972, Ravi Zacharias married Margaret "Margie" Reynolds, whom he met at their church's youth group. They went on to have three children together and settled in Atlanta, Georgia.

1972: Zacharias Earns Undergraduate Degree

Ravi Zacharias graduated from Ontario Bible College (now Tyndale University) with his undergraduate degree in 1972.

1974: Zacharias Preaches in Cambodia

The Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) sent Ravi Zacharias to Cambodia to preach in 1974, shortly before the Khmer Rouge took over.

1976: Zacharias Earns M.Div. from Trinity International University

Ravi Zacharias received his Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree from Trinity International University in 1976.

1980: Zacharias Ordained by C&MA

Ravi Zacharias was ordained as a minister by the Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) in 1980.

1983: Zacharias Speaks at Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Conference

Ravi Zacharias was a speaker at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association's inaugural International Conference for Itinerant Evangelists in Amsterdam in 1983.

August 1984: Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) Founded

Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) was founded in August 1984 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

1984: Zacharias Teaches at Alliance Theological Seminary

Between 1980 and 1984, Ravi Zacharias served as a professor of evangelism at Alliance Theological Seminary, which is affiliated with the C&MA.

1989: Zacharias Speaks in Moscow

Shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Ravi Zacharias spoke to students at the Lenin Military-Political Academy and political leaders at the Center for Geopolitical Strategy in Moscow in 1989.

1990: Zacharias Participates in Guided Study at Ridley Hall

In 1990, Ravi Zacharias participated in a guided study program at Ridley Hall, a Church of England theological school in Cambridge, England.

1992: Zacharias' First Veritas Forum and Urbana Keynote Address

Ravi Zacharias participated in his first Veritas Forum at Harvard University and was a keynote speaker at Urbana in 1992.

1993: Zacharias Addresses Judiciary in Bogotá

Ravi Zacharias spoke to members of the judiciary in Bogotá, Columbia in 1993 about the significance of a strong moral foundation.

2004: First Donations in Class-Action Lawsuit Against RZIM Made

In 2004, the first donations included in the class-action lawsuit against RZIM were made. These donations, made between 2004 and February 2021, became the basis for the lawsuit as donors alleged they were unaware of Ravi Zacharias's misconduct.

2004: Zacharias Speaks at Future of Truth Conference

Ravi Zacharias was a featured speaker at the Future of Truth Conference in 2004.

2004: Zacharias Speaks at LDS Church's Salt Lake Tabernacle

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) hosted Ravi Zacharias at their Salt Lake Tabernacle in 2004, where he delivered a sermon titled "Who Is the Truth? Defending Jesus Christ as The Way, The Truth and The Life."

2005: Zacharias Addresses National Religious Broadcasters' Convention

Ravi Zacharias spoke at the National Religious Broadcasters' Convention and Exposition in 2005.

2006: Establishment of Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics

In 2006, Ravi Zacharias collaborated with Wycliffe Hall to establish the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics (OCCA) in Oxfordshire, England. The OCCA is no longer affiliated with Wycliffe Hall.

2006: Zacharias Speaks at National Conference on Christian Apologetics

Ravi Zacharias spoke at the National Conference on Christian Apologetics in 2006.

October 2007: Zacharias Addresses Virginia Tech Community After Tragedy

In October 2007, following the tragic shooting at Virginia Tech, Ravi Zacharias spoke to the university's students and faculty, as well as the Blacksburg, Virginia community, on the topics of evil and suffering.

2008: Zacharias Named Honorary Chair of National Day of Prayer Task Force

Ravi Zacharias was named the honorary chairman of the National Day of Prayer task force in 2008.

November 2009: Zacharias Signs Manhattan Declaration

Ravi Zacharias added his signature to the ecumenical Manhattan Declaration in November 2009, affirming the sanctity of human life, the dignity of marriage as a union between a husband and wife, and religious freedom as fundamental principles of justice and the common good.

2010: Zacharias' Frequent Travels and Apartments in Bangkok Raise Concerns

Between 2010 and 2014, Ravi Zacharias' frequent travels to Bangkok and his ownership of two apartments there, one of which housed a massage therapist, raised concerns about his activities. These details emerged later amidst investigations into his conduct.

2014: Zacharias's Extensive Time in Bangkok and Financial Dealings Scrutinized

Further scrutiny of Ravi Zacharias' activities revealed that he spent a significant amount of time in Bangkok between 2010 and 2014, totaling 256 days in one of his apartments. He also sought reimbursement from RZIM for these stays, raising questions about financial propriety.

2015: Zacharias and Wife's RZIM Earnings Reported

According to RZIM's public Form 990 tax return, Ravi Zacharias and his wife received a combined income of $523,926 from the ministry in 2015.

2016: Zacharias Participates in Together 2016 Meetings

Ravi Zacharias participated in the ecumenical Together 2016 meetings, which Pope Francis also attended and acknowledged as a commendable endeavor.

2016: Zacharias Appointed to Rubio's Anti-Abortion Advisory Panel

Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio appointed Ravi Zacharias to his "Dignity of Life" advisory panel, which focused on anti-abortion efforts, in 2016.

April 2017: Zacharias Accused of Impropriety, Files Extortion Lawsuit

In April 2017, Ravi Zacharias was accused of impropriety by Lori Anne and Brad Thompson. They demanded $5 million to prevent a lawsuit, presenting evidence including text exchanges and nude photos sent by Lori Anne Thompson to Zacharias. Zacharias responded by filing a lawsuit against the couple for extortion.

November 2017: Extortion Case Against Zacharias Settled with Non-Disclosure Agreement

In November 2017, the extortion case between Ravi Zacharias and Lori Anne and Brad Thompson was settled with a non-disclosure agreement. The details of the settlement remained confidential.

December 3, 2017: Zacharias Denies Allegations of Extortion and Sexual Misconduct

On December 3, 2017, Ravi Zacharias issued a statement denying allegations of soliciting or sending illicit photos to Lori Anne Thompson, who had accused him of impropriety earlier that year. He admitted to communicating with her and accepted responsibility for a lack of caution but maintained his fidelity to his wife.

2017: Allegations Arise Regarding Zacharias' Academic Credentials

Christianity Today reported accusations in 2017 that Ravi Zacharias had been using the title "Doctor" or "Dr." without possessing a PhD. Zacharias clarified that he had received ten honorary doctorates and that using such titles is customary in India as a sign of respect for elders. Following these allegations, RZIM modified Zacharias' online biography and stopped using the title "Dr." in their materials, even though it is considered acceptable practice with honorary doctorates.

March 2020: Zacharias Diagnosed with Sarcoma

In March 2020, Ravi Zacharias announced that he had been diagnosed with sarcoma of the sacrum, a type of bone cancer.

May 2020: Allegations of Sexual Misconduct Surface After Zacharias' Death

Following Ravi Zacharias's death in May 2020, multiple women came forward with allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse against him. Ruth Malhotra, a former RZIM member, claims that suspicions about Zacharias's behavior existed during his lifetime, but RZIM employees were prohibited from investigating.

May 2020: Zacharias Dies of Cancer

On May 19, 2020, Ravi Zacharias died from sarcoma at his home in Atlanta, Georgia, at the age of 74. His death was followed by tributes from prominent figures in the Christian community, highlighting his influence.

May 2020: Death of Ravi Zacharias

Ravi Zacharias passed away in May 2020.

December 23, 2020: RZIM Confirms Sexual Misconduct Allegations Against Zacharias

On December 23, 2020, following an investigation by an independent law firm, RZIM confirmed that the sexual misconduct allegations against Ravi Zacharias were true. A preliminary report was released, supporting the claims made by multiple massage therapists.

2020: Zacharias's Pattern of Misconduct and Misuse of Funds Exposed

An investigation revealed that until his death in 2020, Ravi Zacharias engaged in a pattern of soliciting explicit photos from young women and using ministry funds for personal relationships with massage therapists. These findings shocked the Christian community and led to widespread condemnation.

2020: Sexual Harassment Allegations Surface After Zacharias' Death

Four months after Ravi Zacharias's death in 2020, three women who worked at his day spas in Atlanta accused him of sexual harassment over a five-year period. The allegations included masturbation, requests for explicit photos, and propositions for sex.

Feb 12, 2021: RZIM Branches Cut Ties and Restructure Following Zacharias Scandal

On February 12, 2021, after RZIM's investigation confirmed Zacharias' misconduct, the UK branch changed its name and severed ties, criticizing the inadequate response. Other branches suspended operations, and RZIM itself downsized, rebranded, and shifted focus from evangelism to supporting victims of sexual abuse.

February 2021: RZIM Releases Full Investigation Report, Reveals Extensive Misconduct by Zacharias

In February 2021, RZIM released the full report of their investigation, confirming credible evidence of Ravi Zacharias' sexual misconduct. The report revealed that Zacharias had solicited explicit photos from over 200 women and misused ministry funds to finance relationships with massage therapists.

February 2021: Donors Demand Refund for Donations Made Under False Pretenses

In February 2021, former donors to RZIM demanded a refund for their contributions made between 2004 and February 2021. They argued that their donations were given based on a false understanding of how the funds would be used, as they were unaware of Ravi Zacharias's misconduct.

August 2021: Donors File Lawsuit Against RZIM Seeking Return of Donations

In August 2021, a lawsuit was filed against RZIM by former donors, including NFL player Derek Carrier, seeking the return of their donations made between 2004 and February 2021. They argued that their donations were made under false pretenses, believing they were supporting ministry work and not Zacharias's harmful actions.

2021: IWU Society of World Changers Removes Zacharias' Name

In 2021, following the confirmation of sexual misconduct allegations, the IWU Society of World Changers unanimously voted to remove Ravi Zacharias's name from their organization, distancing themselves from him and his legacy.

2021: Zacharias' Ordination Revoked, Books Pulled from Publication

In 2021, the Alliance World Fellowship revoked Ravi Zacharias' ordination after confirming his predatory behavior. Additionally, HarperCollins Christian Publishing stopped selling his books and began removing his contributions from other works.

March 2023: Court Denies Class Action Status in Lawsuit Against RZIM

In March 2023, the court denied class action status to the lawsuit filed by former donors against RZIM. The donors sought to represent a larger group of individuals who had donated to the organization between 2004 and February 2021, under allegedly false pretenses.

April 2023: Lawsuit Against RZIM Dismissed After Class Action Status Denied

In April 2023, the lawsuit filed by former donors against RZIM, seeking the return of their donations, was dismissed. This followed the court's decision in March 2023 to deny the case class action status.