When he invited me to join his team, Ravi Zacharias told me that the advancing of the Gospel in the 21^st century depended on the work of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) in Asia.

His heart for the people of Asia was reflected in his schedule, his words and his smile whenever he came here. From his hometowns of Chennai to Delhi, or from Singapore to KL, Hong Kong to Seoul, Taipei to Tokyo, Ravi brought the Gospel to millions across Asia with wit and wisdom underpinned by love and graciousness.

Ravi was a man of the world, a truly global citizen. I saw him shake hands with hotel staff across countries and remember their names.

On average, he travelled for more than 220 days every year, but Asia was dear to his heart. I saw it in his eyes whenever I shared a stage with him here. Whether it was an auditorium in Singapore, a church in Hong Kong, a restaurant in Manila or a university in Bangalore, Ravi always kept a piece of his heart in Asia. 

Thanks to Ravi’s vision and the army of supporters he drew, his ministry’s future in Asia is exciting. The Lord has opened doors for us to expand the RZIM Australia team and work towards establishing a permanent presence in the Philippines.

We also look forward to embracing new opportunities in Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam and to continue our ongoing work in India, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong SAR, Malaysia and Indonesia. There are around 4.5 billion people in Asia, around four billion of whom are not Christian.

The name “Ravi Zacharias” will take its place alongside Hudson Taylor, Adoniram Judson, and William Carey as one of the great communicators of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Asia’s history.

At the dawn of the Asian century, we have lost the greatest Christian apologist of the modern era.

His life was a remarkable example of devotion, humility and obedience to God’s call upon him. His talents were immense. His brilliance was unmatched.

His shoes are unfillable; but the work that Ravi Zacharias started in Asia – by the grace and power of God – will go on.

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