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September 2008 eLetter
As September comes to an end, we at RZIM are bringing a close to our fiscal year. It has been filled with exciting opportunities and surprises too. At the beginning of the year I never thought I would be facing major back surgery and forced to cancel my 2008 meetings. But the Lord was gracious to us as my surgery under the hands of a very skilled surgeon has been declared a success. Additionally, our phenomenal team of speakers rallied to take on any of my meetings that they could while still keeping their own busy speaking schedules. I am now doing well and am gradually picking up my itinerary. It was also a year that saw our China office registered and established, a twelve-part apologetics curriculum completed, and our speakers heard in critical areas such as the Middle East, universities, Britain's Houses of Parliament, and BBC broadcasts.
All of this occurs amidst a historic presidential bid, rising fuel prices, dropping interest rates, and a weakened economy. We're all feeling the effects. This is true, too, for RZIM as we face a shortfall as we close our fiscal year. You are dear friends of this ministry, and I am sure you have faced struggles of your own this year as well. And so it is with this recognition we ask that if there is anything you are able to do to come alongside us in these last weeks we would be sincerely grateful. This would allow us to finish the year well and determine what the Lord would have us do for next year. Please do pray for us as we sift through so many ministry opportunities and determine what we can manage for next year in this current global climate. As we weigh every opportunity, every chance for growth, our prayer is that the Lord will steer this ministry just as he has always done and that it would be to his glory as lives are changed and eyes are opened to the beauty of the Gospel.
We want you to know how grateful to the Lord we are for your partnership with us as you stand alongside us so faithfully season after season. Our prayer is for you, too, that you would feel the presence of the Lord with you as you honor him day to day where he has placed you, as you face struggles and challenges, triumphs, and ultimately peace.
Please don't hesitate to let us know if we can do anything to serve you. Thank you again for all you do. Your partnership has made this past year of ministry possible and we thank you. Engaging Today's Culture with RZIM: - Understanding Islam-September 27, 2008
The Islamic and Western cultures are colliding, and questions about this often controversial topic are becoming more and more prevalent in the media, politics, education, and our communities. What are we to think, and how can we address this issue? Join special guest speakers from RZIM's SWAD initiative-Joshua Lingel, Jay Smith, and Sasan Tavassoli-to get a better picture of Islam and its relationship to the Christian faith. This special event is being held at The Bridge Church on Saturday, September 27, 2008, from 9am-4pm. Please visit our website for more information and to register.
- Michael Ramsden and Os Guinness at UC Berkeley, October 9, 2008
Mark your calendars! Michael Ramsden and Os Guinness will be speaking at a public open forum at the University of California at Berkeley on October 9, 2008. With the topics "Is Faith Delusional?" and "The Journey: A Thinker's Quest for Meaning" followed by a Q&A, this will be a fascinating time of ministry you won't want to miss! View our Events calendar for more information UC Berkeley event
- Last Day for Web-Only Specials!
Our Web-only special ends September 19! This is the last day to take advantage of our product special: buy any two Foundation of Apologetic Curriculum DVDs and receive 25% off your entire order! This is an exciting opportunity to stock up on our Curriculum series and get a discount on other RZIM products! Click here to see the DVDs in our Web store and order now. Please click here to view a clip from Volume 1. Where in the World is RZIM? Highlights from across the globe...
 United States
Ravi Zacharias has spent the month writing and conducting radio interviews. He has also returned to the road and will be doing his first overseas speaking engagement in Hong Kong in early October.
Stuart McAllister traveled with Alison Thomas to Utah to speak at Washington Heights Baptist Church during the first week of September.
Stuart spoke several times in their Saturday and Sunday services and Alison conducted various youth and adult services and spoke at their Sunday evening service. Stuart then went to Washington, D.C., on September 12 to speak several times at the C.S. Lewis Institute.
 United Kingdom
Michael Ramsden spoke in Turkey from September 6-11. The ME office set up several key events including an interview with Senem on the local Christian radio station, addressing the Besiktas Protestant Church in Istanbul, and a message at an SRG dinner for Turkish pastors. Next, Michael travels to Canada to speak at their annual Builders' Dinner and will then come to the United States for a series of meetings.
Amy and Frog Orr-Ewing visited St. Michael's Church in Charleston, South Carolina, where they spoke at various events from September 9-15. They then flew to Washington, DC, where they spoke at the C.S. Lewis Institute with Stuart McAllister from September 15-16. From there, Amy will be speaking at the Radiant Conference in the U.K. She is giving the key note address at the main celebration on the opening night. The topic of the evening is examining key biblical women and their wisdom for us today. About eight hundred women are expected to attend the conference. Please pray for her during this series of meetings.
 India
The India office shared a few updates from meetings conducted in late August including two open forums. They write, "Praise God for his grace and strength in conducting these meetings. Around 250 students from the Agricultural Institute in Allahabad attended the half-day seminar on 'True Spirituality in the Modern World.' Praise be to God! It was a wonderful time of ministry. On the evening of August 31, an open forum was held at the Grand Continental Hotel on the topic, 'Search for Meaning in Life.' About 45 people were in attendance, of which 25 people were eminent professors and lecturers from other faiths. The messages were delivered with clarity and there was an hour-long Q&A afterwards. Arun Andrews handled the open forum with grace and grit. The attendees expressed their sincere thanks to Arun for his gracious presentation and for answering their questions with compassion. Thank God for his work in these meetings."
On August 6, Neil Vimalkumar conducted a one-day seminar, "The Other 6 Days: Witnessing in the Workplace," put together by RZIM and the software giant Oracle's Christian fellowship. Later that evening he spoke to young people at New Life AG Church, one of the largest churches in South India.
Balajied Lang Nongrum delivered a series of messages at an open forum and apologetics seminar on September 12-13 at Rajiv Gandhi University.
Cyril Georgeson ministered on September 13 at the National Symposium on "Learned Behavior and Happiness in Life" at Ewing Christian College in Allahabad and September 14 at the Kingdom International Church in Delhi.
Rev. Arun Andrews spoke to college students on September 14 at an evangelistic open forum in Whitefield followed by an apologetics seminar in the region.
Please pray for all the India itinerants to have safe travels as they return home from a busy month of meetings.
 Canada
The Annual Builders' Dinner will be held on Thursday, September 18, 2008 for Canadian donors and friends. Ravi Zacharias and Michael Ramsden will both be in attendance and Michael will be speaking. Please pray for them as they cast their vision for the upcoming year and reflect on all the blessings from God during the past year.
 Singapore
L.T. Jeyachandran conducted lectures in apologetics at the Haggai Institute in Bali, Indonesia, from September 10 and 11 followed by a series of messages at Hng Hwa Methodist Church and Family of Grace Evangelical Free Church. LT will conclude his month lecturing on apologetics at Tung Ling Bible College from September 15-19.
 Middle East
Senem:
The ME office asks your prayers on their behalf this month as they host Michael Ramsden and hold several meetings and radio interviews. Senem writes, "We appreciate your prayers. We need the grace of God on us in order to be at his service. Thank you."
 China
Please continue to pray for Grace Lee as she conducts meetings and prepares for upcoming RZIM events in China.
Please know that we are here to serve you in any way that we can. Feel free to contact us by phone at (770) 449-6766 or via our website, www.rzim.org.
God bless you,
Ravi Zacharias
President
Ravi Zacharias International Ministries
4725 Peachtree Corners Circle, Ste 250
Norcross, GA 30092
770.449.6766
P.S. If you're interested in learning more about making a gift to support the ministry of RZIM or learning more about various unique gift opportunities through gift annuities, Estate Planning, or stock gifts, please contact Jeanette Chuquiure at (800) 448-6766 or click here if you would like to donate online.
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