Now three weeks on the road, I'm writing this en route to speak at the commissioning service of our newest team member in India, Arun Andrews (http://www.rzimindia.org/html/Ministry%20Team/AA.html). He is a fine and much-needed addition to our RZIM team. His principal responsibility other than speaking and training people in spiritual disciplines will be to mentor the younger team members in Asia. What a joy it is to welcome Arun on board.

RZIM continues to enjoy God's blessing and meet new challenges. We now face the last month of this fiscal year, and I earnestly pray that the Lord will help us meet our budget and begin another great year in serving Him. I want to thank you for standing with us and for keeping this ministry in your prayers. As we head into the fall we anticipate some exciting meetings across the globe and specifically in some universities. We are so grateful for your prayers as we prepare messages for tough settings and embark on heavy travel in the months ahead.

I should add that the new book, The Grand Weaver, is truly being used by the Lord as we receive wonderful letters of appreciation. That is a thrill to report and such an encouragement to my heart. Thank you again for your part in helping us stay the course and meet our commitments. As always, we need you alongside and are so grateful to the Lord for your friendship.

Engaging Today's Culture with RZIM:

• Atlanta Civic Center, Thursday September 13th, 7:00pm  Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster.Is America Really Christian? Join RZIM's internationally itinerant speakers Ravi Zacharias and Michael Ramsden as they take a candid look at how   American spirituality, values and actions relate to the teachings of Christianity in today's diverse and global culture. To begin, Michael will tackle what it means to be a Christian, followed by Ravi who will look at our current cultural moorings. The evening will end with a Q&A with the audience.
• Wellspring International Assist Peru - Last week Peru was shaken by an 8.0 earthquake, killing hundreds, injuring thousands, and leaving even greater numbers homeless. In response to this great need, Wellspring is supporting established projects currently providing both emergency and long-term relief. To partner with us in this effort, please visit our website to designate your gift.
• Faith and Reason - Are they Compatible? - The radio and television outreach of RZIM continues to grow. The weekly program Let My People Think is now aired on over 1600 outlets worldwide, and the daily program Just Thinking airs on over 350 outlets. The programs are aired in 29 different countries outside of the US, and the free Podcasts and downloads available from our website make it possible for anyone in the world to hear the programs via their computer. There are also several new developments within the radio and television ministry. We are now the only English language program on KLAR-AM 1300, an all-Spanish station in Laredo, TX. More information on the RZIM radio ministry is available on the website at http://www.rzim.org/radio/
• Is Christianity Relevant to Life?
  Does the Bible actually connect with our current reality? We invite you to visit the website of the RZIM Zacharias Trust to hear Amy Orr Ewing's message titled "The Book of Life."

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

United States

Ravi Zacharias During the month of August Ravi is overseas diligently working to finish various writing projects. He will travel to Bangalore, India, to speak at a Sunday evening service on August 26. While he is there, Ravi intends to meet with some of the India team. When he returns to Atlanta he will speak with Michael Ramsden at the Atlanta Civic Center on September 13 for their look at American spirituality called Is America Really Christian? He will finish September at an open forum at the University of Georgia tackling the theme, Heaven and Hell: Is There a Middle Ground?

Stuart McAllister is currently participating in the Operation Mobilization Bi-Annual Orientation Conference in DeBron, Holland. It is a conference for approximately 300 new OM staff members and also a group of 100 existing staff members. This conference is a joint orientation for new staff members combined with an innovative program to enhance the growth and development for the entire staff. He has been asked to do eight mornings of Bible studies as well as three seminars for the staff, in addition to the plenary sessions where he teaches alongside other speakers. Some of the session topics include, "Why Are We Here?", "Who Are You God?", and "Lie or Die." He has also been asked to give a message at a local church during his time in Holland.

Stuart will then be speaking in India during the month of September.

Alison Thomas continues her work at Hume Lake Camp where she is teaching apologetics to teens in California until August 27. Allison says the camp meetings are going "really great" and she says she is learning as much as she can as fast as she can to keep up with the pace of the inquisitive students.

When the program director of Hume was onsite last Wednesday he arranged for her to speak to the staff! She is undoubtedly enjoying her time with the staff, and they are having a good time together on the weekend breaks.

Last week there was a large group of inner city kids sponsored by local churches that had the opportunity to come to camp. Alison said that answering their question of "why are some people rich and others poor?" was challenging. So far this week the teens have asked numerous questions about Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses.

Alison's Monday seminars and Wednesday chapels followed by Q & A sessions have gone well, with most questions centering on evolution, women's roles, racism, and just war just to name a few. A thousand kids sang happy birthday to her last week and she carried a bunch of balloons around camp all day in celebration of her birthday. Her voice has finally become sore, which she takes as a sign that she is being productive!

  United Kingdom

Michael Ramsden gave several afternoon seminars from August 15-21 at Soul Survivor, a youth camp that had more than 10,000 people in attendance. Many people wanted to speak to him about difficult questions they had, and he spent hours each day with individuals and small groups. Though it is a Christian camp, there are some attendees who either are not Christians or are struggling in their faith. He always looks forward to this time of ministry and to seeing people come to know the living God.

A recent highlight for Amy Orr-Ewing was her ministry at New Wine Camp. She gave a series of five seminars entitled "Deep Church" (Deep Passion, Deep Mind, Deep Character, Deep Body, and Deep Community) and there was an astounding response with about 2,000 people attending each day. (They were expecting numbers to be in the hundreds.) During the second seminar, Amy gave a main stage talk on the topic of "personal calling" at the youth venue. It was exciting to see about 10 youths come to Christ that evening!

Here are just two emails RZIM United Kingdom received that illustrate the response from the "Deep Church" seminar series:

"My wife and I wanted to say a big thank you for the talks you gave at New Wine. On my part, I went to New Wine with my faith in tatters, having just read Richard Dawkins' God Delusion book. However, your talks have turned me around and restored my faith."

"Amy, your main morning sessions were outstanding and hugely popular. Thank you so much for all the time and preparation you put into these, which produced such depth of insight. Thank you, both of you, for all the other sessions you attended and spoke at - I know that they were extremely well received and people loved having you around once again."

  India

Recently 350 people attended a meeting and music concert put together by Youth for Christ & RZIM in commemoration of Friendship Day in Hyderabad. Neil Vimalkumar ministered at this event and about 25 people responded to the message and made a commitment for Christ. Sixteen of them wrote down their commitments in the forms provided at the event.

Neil Vimalkumar and Jerry Thomas ministered at the one day seminar on "New Spirituality" at Thiruvananthapuram on August 11.

Cyril Georgeson and Philip Samuel taught at the Seminar on "Spiritual Disciplines" at Nasik from August 4-9. Philip Samuel also spoke at the Students Camp at Indore from August 11-15.

India's newest itinerant member, Arun Andrews, attended meetings with the India Board at Mahabalipuram and Chennai from August 11-12 where he lead the prayer session, gave a brief scriptural reflection and Holy Communion service, and offered thoughts on the future ministry. Following these meetings, Arun spoke at a seminar on the subject he titled "Work and Family - Handling the Pressures," at the Jayanagar Methodist Church in Bangalore.

On August 10, Prakash Yesudian spoke at the dinner meeting for Christian leaders at Trichy.

  Canada

During the week of August 20, Joe Boot will be speaking at Muskoka Baptist Conference. The theme of the week is Colossians 4:2-4 and Joe is giving a message each day. "The first few days have gone very well so far and we are praying that the remainder of the talks this week will proceed likewise and that God will bring transformation in the lives of those attending," Joe shared.

Looking ahead to the fall, RZIM Canada will be hosting an important event in September, in addition to their many scheduled speaking events, called the Builders Dinner. The invitations have gone out and they are already beginning to receive responses. Please pray that God would hasten the opportunity for the Lieutenant-Governor (designate) of Ontario to confirm his intention to participate.

As they move ahead, the staff is committed and eager not only to maintain, but in fact gain new traction for ministry and funding endeavors in Canada. They recognize that with change comes challenge and opportunity. "We have spent time together in discussion and prayer and recently spent upwards of an hour in conference with Ravi (from Bangkok). We seek to minimize the challenge and maximize the opportunity which has been presented to us," says the team.

  Singapore

I'Ching Thomas conducted an apologetics seminar from July 27-30 in Jakarta that was attended by more than 30 people. It was the first time for many to attend an RZIM seminar, and some of the participants have indicated interest in joining the next training.

After that, I'Ching spoke on "Lotus and the Cross" at Evangel Christian Church on August 4. She then traveled to Bukit Panjang where she spoke to a youth group at a Methodist church on "Evidence for the Existence of God." Finally, I'Ching spoke to another youth group, this time at Bethesda Bedok-Tampines Church in Singapore on August 18.

L.T. Jeyachandran has also been traveling throughout the month of August. He gave lectures entitled "Leadership Patterns from Christian Doctrine" at the Marketplace Bible Institute in Singapore from August 16-18. Then he went to Osaka, Japan, to conduct apologetics seminars at Osaka International Church.

LT and I'Ching had several joint speaking engagements during this month. First, they attended the East Asia Graduates' Conference in South Korea on August 10-14. Then, from August 19-22, they traveled to Bacolod, Philippines, to teach at Students Missionary Outreach.

  Middle East

Daniel Khouri continues to settle in to his new role with RZIM in Syria as both he and Christopher Darla begin to prepare for Ravi and Stuart to speak in Syria and Jordan early next year.

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,

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.