While we respect and
follow our leaders, it is important to set our focus on Christ, the treasure is
far more important than the vessel, earthen vessels may sometimes bear earthen
semblance and tilt slightly away from the mission.
According to an article
on the Christian post, Ravi Zacharias International Ministries intends to
change the name of the organization following the release of an investigative
report last month indicating that the Christian apologist was accused of
“sexting, unwanted touching, spiritual abuse, and rape."
In a statement Saturday,
RZIM CEO and Zacharias' daughter, Sarah Davis, provided what she described as
the first of periodic updates highlighting the “steps we are taking as we seek
to walk a path of repentance, restitution, learning, and serving.”
“We are in the process
of taking down Ravi’s content from our website and social media platforms,
including publications, videos, and other forms of content, and we intend to
change the name of the organization,” Davis stated. “Effective immediately, we
are also discontinuing the use of ‘The Zacharias Institute’ brand.”
Davis said the
organization will offer anyone who resigned from RZIM for “reasons of
conscience” during the monthslong investigation by the Atlanta law firm Miller
& Martin the “same severance that we are currently offering to those who
take voluntary redundancy.”
Davis reiterated that
the organization’s “top priority” is to provide “care, justice and restitution”
for all of Zacharias’ victims. The organization had previously announced that
Rachael Denhollander is serving as a confidential liaison for Zacharias’
victims.
“We continue to grieve
deeply for the victims who have been treated in ways that are completely
antithetical to the gospel,” Davis stressed. “We also painfully and
increasingly recognize organizational failures that have occurred and the
repentance that needs to take place in both heart and action.”
According to Davis, RZIM
will undergo a “thorough and fully independent assessment” from consulting firm
Guidepost Solutions.
RZIM expects to be in a
position to provide an additional update in the “near future,” Davis
assured.
“For now, we anticipate
that significant lessons will be learned in all areas of the ministry and are
grateful for all who have helped us to begin this process,” she added. “We are
praying for the courage to pursue repentance and to have learners’ hearts, and
we are trusting in God’s guidance in the days ahead.”
The in-depth report conducted by
Miller & Martin details shocking allegations against the late Christian
apologist, who died last May at 74, after losing his battle with cancer.
The report includes
interviews with over a dozen massage therapists who treated Zacharias over the
years. Zacharias is said to have asked therapists to touch his genitals. He was
also accused of touching them inappropriately.
"Only one of the
witnesses we interviewed said that Mr. Zacharias engaged in sexual
intercourse," the report states. "This witness reported details of
many encounters over a period of years that she described as rape. To protect
her identity, this report does not disclose any of the details she shared with
us."
The investigation also
uncovered a collection of explicit photos — many of them of much younger women
— found in Zacharias’ possession.
News Source: Christian Post
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