Ravi Zacharias

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Ravi Zacharias' life was marked by his journey from scepticism to a deep and abiding faith in Jesus Christ, which he dedicated his life to sharing and defending through his global ministry and prolific writing and speaking.

• March 26, 1946: Ravi Zacharias was born in Chennai, India.

• He was raised in an Anglican family but, in his youth, remained a sceptic

• 1963: At the age of 17, Zacharias attempted suicide by swallowing poison. While he was in the hospital, a local Christian worker brought him a Bible, read him John 14:19, and he began his spiritual journey.

• 1966: Zacharias moved to Canada with his family.

• 1972: He graduated from Ontario Bible College (now Tyndale University) with a degree in theology.

• 1972: He was ordained by the Christian and Missionary Alliance and began preaching in various parts of the world.

• 1980: Zacharias earned his Master of Divinity from Trinity International University.

• 1980s-2020s: Travelled worldwide as an influential Christian apologist, engaging in intellectual defence of Christianity through lectures, books, and debates.

• 1983: spoke in Amsterdam at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association's first International Conference for Itinerant Evangelists. 

• 1984: He founded Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM), an organization with the mission to "reach and challenge those who shape the ideas of a culture with the credibility of the Gospel of Jesus Christ".

• 1990: He published his first book, "A Shattered Visage: The Real Face of Atheism."

• 1993: He served as an evangelical scholar at Ridley Hall, a theological college in Cambridge.

• 2000: He launched a radio program called "Let My People Think", which was broadcasted internationally.

• 2004: Zacharias received his Doctor of Divinity from Houghton College.

• 2007: He was invited to speak at the Annual Prayer Breakfast at the United Nations.

• 2017: He published his autobiography, "Walking from East to West: God in the Shadows".

• May 19, 2020: Zacharias died from a rare form of cancer in Atlanta, Georgia.

• 2021: Posthumous investigations confirmed allegations of sexual misconduct by Zacharias, leading to a scandal and a public apology from RZIM.

Key People In Ravi Zacharias' Life

• Margie Zacharias: Ravi Zacharias' wife, Margie, was a significant figure in his life. They were married in 1972 and together they had three children. Margie often travelled with Ravi on his speaking engagements and was an integral part of his ministry.

• Sarah Davis: Sarah Davis, one of Ravi and Margie's daughters, played a significant role in RZIM. She served as the CEO of the organization.

• Naomi Zacharias: Another of Ravi and Margie's daughters, Naomi, also worked for RZIM. She was the director of Wellspring International, the humanitarian arm of RZIM.

• Sam Zacharias: Ravi and Margie's son, Sam, worked as the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at RZIM.

• Fred David: Fred David was a local Christian worker who visited Ravi in the hospital after his suicide attempt in 1963. He gave Ravi a Bible and suggested he read John 14:19, a verse that had a profound impact on Ravi and led him to commit his life to Christianity.

• Various Christian Apologists and Theologians: Throughout his life and career, Ravi Zacharias interacted with, was influenced by, and in turn influenced many other Christian apologists and theologians. These included people like C.S. Lewis, Norman Geisler, and many others. They also included the staff of RZIM.

• His Alleged Victims: In 2020, after his death, multiple allegations of sexual misconduct were made against Zacharias. An independent investigation in 2021 confirmed these allegations. The victims of his misconduct have had a significant posthumous impact on his legacy and on RZIM.