A conversation overheard these days seems to be what the media is reporting about the economy, the state of insurance empires and financial institutions, what this candidate will do, what that one won't do, and what should be done. Purveyors of news pounce on each fresh tidbit weaving and spinning each fact to create a story. I've been struck by how readily we listen, how we take each headline to the bank. But banking on something isn't what we once thought it to be, is it? In all the change and uncertainty we are searching to be told what to think, what to believe.

A void of voices, or at least voices of differing opinions, seemed especially prevalent as Michael Ramsden, our European director, recently completed meetings at Berkeley and Stanford. After Michael finished his talk "Is Faith Delusional?" students crowded around him, peppering him with questions and almost quite literally hanging on his every word as he answered. They expressed the same frustrations, that credible Christian voices were absent and a respected voice to counter what they were getting on campus and in the classroom was desperately needed. As Michael was leaving the organizers asked him if he would return.

It is to speak the beauty and credibility of the Gospel into these spaces that RZIM exists. Our team is invited into places of learning around the world-Amy in Europe, Alison in the Middle East, Cyril in India, LT and I'Ching in Malaysia-and those who attend are future culture makers. Our ability to visit these arenas is made possible by God's calling in our lives, the doors that open to us, and you, our friends. We are so thankful for how you stand with us in partnership and prayer. As we keep many of these engagements that demand so much from us intellectually and emotionally, we are strengthened when we hear of your prayers for us, prayers that ears will be opened and lives changed. On behalf of the entire RZIM team I want to thank you for your part in the hearts and minds that are changed. In a time when we are asking to be told what to believe, RZIM is on the frontlines, equipping young minds to filter through the ideas and assertions, realizing that what we believe in our hearts can make sense in our minds.

Engaging Today's Culture with RZIM:

• Christmas Offer Available, Friday, Oct. 24
  
  RZIM's Christmas Offer will be available on Friday, October 24. Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to begin your Christmas shopping! This offer features products from our team, including the last four Foundations of Apologetics Curriculum DVDs with messages from Ravi Zacharias, John Lennox, Michael Ramsden, and Stuart McAllister. Also included in this offer is Ravi Zacharias's key note address from the 2008 National Day of Prayer, Amy Orr-Ewing's new book, Is Believing in God Irrational?, and the beautiful leather accented 2008 Inspirational Daily Planner.
  
  Receive Stuart McAllister's compelling documentary Gifts in a Holy Land free with every purchase and 10% off every purchase of $50 or more.
• Ravi Zacharias at the Atlanta Civic Center February 26, 2009
  
  Mark your calendars! Ravi Zacharias will be speaking at the Atlanta Civic Center on February 26, 2009. Join RZIM for a thought-provoking evening as Ravi Zacharias addresses the intellectual assumptions of atheism while contrasting the validity of the Christian faith in his special message "Is Faith Delusional?" This unique message promises to inspire, answer questions, and provide an opportunity to dialogue about today's most important questions. A Question & Answer session will follow. Tickets go on sale November 5, 2008 and will be available at Ticketmaster. Click here for more information.
• Michael Ramsden on the Road
  
  You can still be a part of Michael Ramsden's recent trip to the United States even if you weren't able to hear him live! Read a report from Jill Carattini, managing editor of Slice of Infinity, as she provides a firsthand account of Michael's university events. You can also listen to Michael's message given at Christ Community Church in Kansas City by clicking http://www.ccefc.org/resources/audio/2155-2144-081012_06DivorcefromReality.mp3 *Note:Clicking this link will launch your MP3 player
• Web Only Special!
  
  Purchase the RZIM Apologetics Study Bible through November 30 for 20% off. Real Questions. Straight Answers. Stronger Faith. The Apologetics Study Bible will help you better understand and articulate your beliefs. More than one-hundred key questions and articles placed throughout the volume about faith and science prompt a rewarding study experience at every reading. Highlights of this new edition of God's Word include the full text of the popular Holman Christian Standard Bible® translation, a two-color page layout, an introduction to each Bible book focusing on its inherent elements of apologetics, and profiles of historic Christian apologists from Justin Martyr to C. S. Lewis. Also featured are valuable contributions from apologists such as Ravi Zacharias, Chuck Colson, Norm Geisler, Josh McDowell, and J. P. Moreland. To purchase this unique Bible please visit this link.

Where in the World is RZIM? Highlights from across the globe...

Ravi Zacharias
At the beginning of October, Ravi Zacharias traveled to Hong Kong for a series of meetings alongside Grace Lee. He spoke to business and professional leaders and also delivered a message at the Union Church in Hong Kong.

Upon returning home, Ravi gave the opening prayer for the Christian Film & Television Commission Banquet in Atlanta and also gave a short prayer for the nation with James and Shirley Dobson for Pinnacle Forum.

During the week of October 20, Ravi will travel to North Carolina to speak to the Joe Gibbs's racing staff.

Stuart McAllister will be ministering in different cities throughout India from October 17-23, including speaking to Christian leaders and pastors on persecution and on the problem of pleasure.

Alison Thomas reports that she has had a wonderful time with the students at Northpointe High School during their spiritual emphasis week. There were many opportunities for personal discussion with the group and she enjoyed their spirited questions.

Michael Ramsden has been traveling extensively this month with a trip to Canada, the United States, and the Czech Republic. He began with a message at Stanford University on October 8. Michael reported that although attendance was low for this event, Os Guinness's message was very impactful. Afterwards, Michael was surrounded by students who wanted to continue asking questions. One answer Michael gave to a student during this time reduced another student to tears and he gave his life to Christ right there. Student organizers said this was among the best events they have ever had and they really loved it.

Michael continued his university tour with a stop at the University of California at Berkeley on October 9. Once again, Michael found himself talking to quite a large group of people afterwards and he left the venue very late. Interestingly, Michael met with the leaders of the group who organized these meetings on campus and they want to organize a repeat trip. Thank you so much for praying for Michael during these events.

On October 11-12 Michael traveled to Christ Community Church in Kansas City. He reports, "The first event went well, and there was a buzz in the room at the end of the message on ministry in the workplace." During the conference on Saturday he mentioned that he was tempted to change his Sunday message and preach on the current crisis in financial markets. The leadership responded very positively to this suggestion and so Michael woke up early on Sunday to prepare. About twenty people came to Christ after this service.

On October 19 Michael left for a week of student ministry in the Czech Republic. He took RZIM associates Raphael Anzenberger and Vlad Criznic to give several messages as well.

John Lennox again debated Richard Dawkins on October 21. Some are already billing it as Huxley versus Wilberforce-Part II because it was held in the Natural History Museum in Oxford where the famous debate of 1860 was also held. Due to this fact, it attracted some considerable interest from the media. This is the second time that they have debated together in the public arena. The event was staged by the Fixed Point Foundation, which organized their previous debate last October (in Birmingham, Alabama). We will bring you a report on this historic debate next month.

Please pray for Michael, John, and the entire RZIM team in Europe as they conclude their month of travel and speaking.

The first day of Fingerprints session on October 7 was packed as students listened to sessions led by Tejdor, Balajied Lang Nongrum, and others. There were 45 participants, mainly doctors and engineers, along with a few prominent people, including a member of the parliament and the chairman of the Meghalaya Public Service Commission. The group discussions and the Q & A revealed the seriousness with which they came to learn. Towards the end, one participant who was giving the vote of thanks said, "This seminar was an eye opener to me." Thank God for the fruit of the Academy.

Tejdor ministered at evangelistic meetings for students in Shillong from October 9-13. About seventy college students attended this meeting and 25 of them committed their lives to Christ.

On October 11 Neil Vimalkumar and Arun Andrews spoke at a seminar entitled, "The Other Six Days: Witnessing in the Workplace" held at the Press Club in Trivandrum. Over 100 business professionals attended. The day's sessions ended with a challenge and an altar call; three quarters of the audience responded and came forward.

Rev. Andrews spoke at Christ Church, Trivandrum on "Three Promises from the Resurrection." He also preached in the two morning services of the London Missionary Society's Matter Memorial Church in Trivandrum. The services had a special focus on persecution in the State of Orissa. The reminder that opposition may close the doors of the Church but not the doors of opportunity, shut the voices in a choir but never the song, and imprison the preacher but never the Gospel, brought great encouragement. Arun wrote, "The cry of intercession for our brothers and sisters in trouble and the view of a forgiving Savior at Calvary won a heartfelt response." Lastly, he presented a module on the question of destiny from ASK, the teen apologetics program, to a large enthusiastic group at a youth retreat. Many made commitments to the Lord that day. The ministry reached as many as 600 individuals during his visit to Trivandrum.

Please continue to pray for the Certificate Course on Christian apologetics at the Ravi Zacharias Centre for Learning during this session, which runs from October 6-24. The fifth batch of the three-week certificate courses is now taking place and there are fourteen delegates from different professional backgrounds and cities in India.

Last weekend Prakash Yesudian was in Madurai, the temple city of South India, preaching at meetings for the 172nd anniversary of the Church of God's Glory. There was great rejoicing when a fifty-voice choir led the singing and many people responded to the altar call. Please pray for Prakash as he prepares for evangelistic meetings in Ahmedabad, October 24-26, where the organizers are expecting 8,000 people.

The team is so thankful for the incredible response to their annual Builders' Dinner in Toronto, which Michael Ramsden and Ravi Zacharias attended. Many RZIM supporters gathered on a Thursday evening at the Royal York Hotel to celebrate what God has done in the past year through this ministr,y and they were encouraged to continue the journey as RZIM Canada endeavors to present the Christian worldview in a credible way to the Canadian culture.

Michael Ramsden then took the pulpit at Philpott Memorial Church on Sunday and gave a wonderful address on what it means to be "prepared to give an answer for the hope we have." This message was perfectly timed as the Canadian team is partnering with this church and two others to launch a series of apologetic training sessions in Canada next month. They want to help their congregations and invited guests to understand and defend their faith and have specifically chosen to partner with RZIM to accomplish this.

Many other events are taking place in Canada that will further the Gospel as well. The next key engagement is on November 7 at Grace Montreal Church. The leadership is very keen on the ministry of RZIM and has been sending people from their small congregation to RZIM training events. Montreal is an interesting city with spiritual needs and issues that may be unlike other cities. This church wants to assist their people in handling the tough questions they get in their very secular post-church culture. Pray for the team as they prepare, as well as for the guest speaker for the evening, Andy Bannister. Pray for inroads into that part of the Canadian landscape. Rachel, who is juggling a hectic PhD schedule, and other RZIM Canada staff will be attending as well.

Having just come off of its Thanksgiving weekend the Canadian Team realizes how much there is to be grateful for. Please join with them in celebrating God's goodness to RZIM.

L.T. Jeyachandran conducted the final session on apologetics and spiritual disciplines at Evangel Christian Church on October 11 before speaking at the Truth Baptist Church on October 12. On October 17 he spoke to a group of young adults at SIB Church in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

I'Ching Thomas taught at the Academy of Apologetics in India from October 16-22.

Senem:
RZIM ME team has been blessed to receive many requests to distribute the RZIM DVDs from previous events. Senem is now in the process of duplicating and shipping these messages to meet these requests. Also, the pre-production process of the Turkish Just Thinking radio program is well underway. Thanks for your ongoing prayers for these efforts!

Ravi Zacharias attended a series of meetings that incrementally introduced RZIM to a warm and welcoming Hong Kong community earlier this month. Ravi's availability to cast the vision and field questions was hugely important in leaving a strong impression on what this work is about. Gatherings included the Hong Kong business establishment as well as evangelical church pastors and a handful of bright and hearty skeptics. Grace Lee writes, "There are serious-minded Christians in Hong Kong who are voicing their hunger for educational ministry. This is a community that lives out the body of Christ in their everyday lives and in this particular area of need we can step in and build up." The vision for the work naturally extends into greater China, as many of these have direct family, business, ministry, and church ties in the Mainland.

Attendees at RZIM's events asked over and again about youth apologetics and how RZIM might help equip them in this particular area of great need. Grace Lee reports, "Parents are so eager to get their hands on any material in this region. Also, Christians are seeking general Bible study resources for various levels of home, church, and workplace teaching. Indeed, certain friends have memorized the Let My People Think library and are craving more!"

Union Church invited Ravi to preach the Sunday morning before his departure. He delivered a sermon from Daniel on drawing lines of resistance, dependence, and confidence in one's life. The message hit on areas where Hong Kong inhabitants are particularly vulnerable and it was thoughtfully received. Overall, the visit was an exciting time for RZIM Hong Kong. Please continue to pray for Grace Lee and the RZIM initiatives in Hong Kong as we seek to meet the questions of the seeker and feed the spiritual needs of Christians in the region.

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,

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.