Here we are into another year. It's hard to believe we're already nearing the end of January, isn't it? Beginnings and landmarks are always a good time to recalibrate, renew old goals or set new ones. Only the Lord knows what will unfold this year, though certainly the political pundits try in vain to predict some of the outcomes.

At RZIM we continue committed in our vision and calling to influence culture with the credibility of the gospel and to do this with integrity in all that we do. Below the team outlines ministry opportunities already underway. I pray you will be encouraged by all that God is doing. In addition to the team here and abroad, I am so pleased to have Tom Essenburg on board with us as our Director of Development. Tom brings extensive experience both from the academy (having served 18 years at Taylor University) and in evangelism (17 years with Youth For Christ). His relational strength, devotional heart, and integrity of life offer exactly the kind of person that RZIM seeks as a representative, and we are thankful to begin another year of ministry with Tom leading the development team.

We want you to know we as a ministry pray for you and are so thankful for how you have stood with this ministry. May God bless you in the weeks and months ahead as you serve Him where you are, and please too pray for us as we serve in the area God has called us. If there is anything we can do for you, or if you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Engaging Today's Culture with RZIM:

 

• RZIM named "A Shining Light Ministry"
  
  MinistryWatch.com recently named Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) one of 30 "Shining Light" Christian ministries for 2007. MinistryWatch.com compiles the annual list of 30 ministries from the nearly 500 ministries for which it has financial and other information. Those ministries on the list have demonstrated outstanding effectiveness and efficiency in their ministry and financial operations. This is the third year MinistryWatch.com has compiled the list, and RZIM has been on the list all three years. "Ravi Zacharias International Ministries is truly one of the 'best of the best,'" said Rusty Leonard, founder of MinistryWatch.com. "At a time when Sen. Charles Grassley is calling on some of the worst organizations to live up to their minimum responsibilities of financial self-disclosure, we are pleased to recognize RZIM as a ministry that goes well beyond the minimum. The staff and supporters of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries can be justifiably proud of their fine organization."

   

   

• Ravi Zacharias has a new book!
  
  Ravi Zacharias and his team of leading apologists and Christian teachers, including Alister McGrath and John Lennox, have written Beyond Opinion: Living the Faith We Defend. This book addresses topics present in the very future of worldwide Christianity--from the process of spiritual transformation to the challenges posed by militant atheism and a resurgent Islam. Destined to become a classic, Beyond Opinion is a touchstone that will affect Christians around the world. Click here to order this book now.

   

   

• The RZIM Foundations of Apologetics Curriculum is now available! Designed to introduce a comprehensive range of apologetic arguments and strategies, and featuring lectures by RZIM's team of apologists, this rigorous curriculum will help students become adept at recognizing the many worldviews influencing our culture and equipped to challenge the assumptions of these worldviews. The first volumes by Michael Ramsden, Stuart McAllister, Alister McGrath, and Ravi Zacharias tackle the subjects An Introduction to Apologetics, Truth and Reality, The Existence of God, and Establishing a Worldview. Each study is available individually, allowing you to craft your own experience according to your needs and interests. Complete with an in-depth workbook, you will find the studies foster not only knowledge but also cultivate the skills to communicate that knowledge in a way that is winsome and effective. These first four volumes are now available here.

   

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

United States

Ravi Zacharias
Ravi will be on sabbatical for the next three months. Please pray for his rest and refreshment.

Patrick Smith of Michigan Theological Seminary teamed up with Stuart McAllister for a seminar called "Jesus, Why Bother?," which was held on the January 11-12 at Woodmen Valley chapel in Colorado Springs, CO. There were 4 main sessions with an extended time for questions and answers. The audience was a good mix of regular church goers, students, and those active in the marketplace. Stuart writes, "Both Patrick and I had lots of individual time dealing with questions, issues raised by colleagues at work, or children facing struggles in college or university. The feedback received encouraged us as many commented that it was practical and accessible for the kind of concerns they were facing. The Woodmen Valley staff provided a welcoming atmosphere and made the whole seminar run smoothly. It is our constant prayer that these seminars, events, and efforts will build up lives and help advance the gospel in this country."

United Kingdom

The UK office reports a restful and blessed Christmas holiday for both Michael Ramsden and Amy Orr-Ewing. After Christmas the UK office busily prepared for and hosted The Zacharias Day. This event, held in Oxford, was a great success.

After this event, the whole team attended a retreat in Sunbury- on-Thames with associates from across Europe. The team writes, "The weekend was an inspiring and enriching time for everyone. It was so good to hear how each associate is getting on, the initiatives each is involved with, the good things as well as the struggles they face. It was really profitable to be able to spend a prolonged time praying for each individual."

Amy hosted an OCCA event called "Being Salt and Light in a Secular World" on January 15. She will then be speaking at St Paul's Shadwell, one of the churches planted from Holy Trinity Brompton, London, on January 19.

Michael left for Detroit, Michigan, for a series of meetings on Monday, January 14.

India

Balajied Nongrum concluded a series of important meetings in December including an open forum for young professional on "The Uniqueness of Christ in Incarnation." He also conducted a radio broadcast on the "Significance of Christmas," followed by a Q&A. The first question asked on the broadcast was about the mission and work of RZIM. The remaining part of the program he spoke on the crux of the Incarnation and its implication for the entire human race. Both Christians and non-Christians were in the audience. Balajied said, "We praise God for giving us such an opening and we do hope and pray that He would continue to open doors for us."

On January 13, Tejdor Tiewsoh spoke at the Student Christian Movement (SCM) Conference in Shillong.

From January 14-16 Rev. Arun Andrews will be ministering at the State Convention of the Tamil Nadu Evangelical Union in Salem.

Prakash Yesudian writes to us saying, "These days I see an unusual response for the undiluted proclamation of the Gospel. We witnessed it last weekend at the New Year convention of Christ Church, Madurai. On the last day almost the whole crowd stood up to say that they wanted to live a fruitful life for the Lord this year. Most of them made the first-time decision for the Lord. We are sending 73 items of follow-up literature to those who responded. Please continue to pray."

Please pray for the next class attending the RZIM Academy of Apologetics. The third batch of the three-week Certificate Course on Christian Apologetics from Ravi Zacharias Centre for Learning is being held from January 7 - 25, 2008. Dr. Dave Geisler, Mr. Michael Jebaraj, Dr. Jayakumar Christian, Rev. Arun Andrews, Mr. Cyril Georgeson, Mr. Neil Vimalkumar, and Mr. Vadivel Victor were the resource persons for the first week.

Canada

On January 20, Rachel Tulloch will be speaking at New Hope Church in Waterloo, Ontario. She will then speak on apologetics to the student groups at University of Toronto in Mississauga, Ontario, on January 24.

Singapore

I'Ching Thomas will be traveling to India to teach at the Academy of Apologetics from January 13-17.

Middle East

Daniel Khouri updated us on his schedule recently saying, "I traveled to Lebanon and met with Christian leaders there, including Reverend Sami Dagher, M.E. board member Milad Dagher, and Pastor Sharbel. We discussed the possibility of finding 20-30 people who are interested in committing themselves to studying apologetics, the need to translate the curriculum into Arabic, the possibility of having an event at the American University in Beirut, and the availability of potential candidates to attend the OCCA. Please keep praying for our work in the Middle East, as we pray for you as well."

Please continue to pray for the upcoming Middle East Advisory Board Meeting and the ECC men's retreat in Abu Dhabi where Arun Andrews will be the key note speaker.

Christopher Darla ministered in Telugu Church in Abu Dhabi on January 1. These meetings were well-received and he distributed 200 audio cassettes on the story of Jesus. We praise God for these wonderful opportunities for sharing his good news.

Senem Ekener writes, "I am very excited to announce that Ravi's first title in Turkish, Jesus Among Other Gods, has just been released at the beginning of January. We had so many difficulties up until this point, and it seems that the distribution of the book will be another challenge that we need to face." Please pray for God's intervention and wisdom as the team attempts to market this book.

Hong Kong

Please pray for Grace Lee as she is in the process of moving to Hong Kong.

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.