Ravi Zacharias International Ministries announced that it would be cutting 60% of its staff and reorganizing after reports of sexual misconduct from its late namesake came to light.
Ravi Zacharias International Ministries CEO Sarah Davis, who is Zacharias’s oldest daughter, announced the ministry’s change in direction Wednesday and said that the institution would stop fundraising efforts and shift the organization toward grant-making.
The grants will be focused on Ravi Zacharias International Ministries’ mission of preaching and on sexual abuse prevention, according to the Associated Press.
“RZIM cannot — indeed should not — continue to operate as an organization in its present form,” Davis said. “Nor do we believe we can merely rename the organization and move forward with ‘business as usual.’”
“We anticipate this transition to grant-making will be complete in four to six months and, when completed, will be accompanied by leadership changes,” she added.
THE POPE’S HISTORIC VISIT TO IRAQ
Zacharias died of cancer in May 2020 at the age of 74. Months after his death, several women who worked as massage therapists came forward and accused the Christian apologist of sexual harassment and of exposing himself to them.
A private investigation was launched in October 2020, and a report was issued that said five of the women who were interviewed alleged that he touched them inappropriately, with one woman claiming that the evangelical preacher raped her.
An analysis of his phone also found more than 200 photos of young women and nude images of a salon employee in Malaysia.
Despite the revelations, Ravi Zacharias International Ministries said it has no plans to change the name of the organization.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The 60% cut in staff was due to the “current economic realities,” Davis said. Those who are laid off will be given severance pay and will not be asked to sign nondisclosure agreements. The ministry will be removing videos of Zacharias from social media and its website, it said.
