Greater NYC Pastors, Ministry Leaders Join Christians Across the World in Mourning, Celebrating the Life of Ravi Zacharias

Photo: Ravi Zacharias and A.R. Bernard (Facebook)

Ravi Zacharias, one of the world’s most foremost Christian apologists, has passed away. Zacharias, 74, died this morning at his home in Atlanta, following a brief battle with sarcoma. He is survived by his wife Margie; daughters, Sarah and Naomi; son, Nathan; and five grandchildren.

Ravi Zacharias spent the past 48 years commending the Christian faith and addressing life’s greatest existential questions of origin, meaning, morality and destiny with eloquence and grace. Through his founding and leadership of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM), he launched a global team of nearly 100 Christian scholars and authors who continue to speak, resource, train and address the questions of millions around the world.

On social media, reaction to his death was widespread, with various tributes and testimonies of how Zacharias impacted some of the world’s most reknowned leaders. Below are a few of the local and national leaders who eremembered him:

Dr. A.R. Bernard, senior pastor of Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn, New York

Jinu Thomas, founder of Collyde Summit. Ravi Zacharias was the keynote speaker of the 2019 Collyde Summit, entitled “Fearless.”

Eric Metaxas, NYC radio host and author

Last year I had the great honor of this time with the legendary @RaviZacharias. Please watch & RT & pray that the work of @RZIMhq thrives in continuing the work Ravi began. What a faithful instrument of God he has been in so many lives! Today he is home. https://t.co/FBjqAHV6Qq

— Eric Metaxas (@ericmetaxas) May 19, 2020

Max McLean, founder of Fellowship for the Performing Arts

Franklin Graham, founder of Samaritans Purse

Musician David Crowder

Today heaven rejoices & welcomes home a giant of the faith. Today we miss & mourn the loss of a friend & a teacher.

“When you come to a religion, you come to a place. When you come to Jesus, you come to a person.” @RaviZacharias

Today Ravi meets Jesus in person. That’s amazing pic.twitter.com/nilHO0EUzQ

— David Crowder (@crowdermusic) May 19, 2020

Jim Cymbala, senior pastor of Brooklyn Tabernacle

Thanking the Lord for the life and ministry of my dear friend, Ravi Zacharias. pic.twitter.com/me5J6dVkPs

— Pastor Jim Cymbala (@jimcymbala) May 17, 2020

Christine Caine, author and conference speaker

#ThankYouRavi Dr. Ravi Zacharias has had a profound impact on my life. He is such a brilliant, kind and compassionate man. I’m posting this video now because it’s important for people to know their impact on your life while you can still tell them. Thank you @RaviZacharias pic.twitter.com/QDOsGSwnpj

— Christine Caine (@ChristineCaine) May 11, 2020

Tim Tebow, former NFL quarterback, New York Mets minor league player, and founder of Night to Shine

To my friend, my mentor and a great hero of the faith @RaviZacharias — Thank you.

I know I’ll see you again and I look forward to that day. Love you brother!

— Tim Tebow (@TimTebow) May 19, 2020

Pastor Tim Mercaldo, Staten Island

Sam Mikhail, CEO of Jungle Communications and the publisher of EverythingJerseyCity.com