Vice President Mike Pence has delivered a eulogy at the memorial service of the late Ravi Zacharias.
Pence, who was a close friend of Ravi's and had made a personal visit to the family shortly after his death, called the late apologist a "kind giant of the faith."
"He spoke truth, he spoke it with kindness and a deep and abiding care for every person who would listen," Pence declared.
The Vice President continued: "On the death of Billy Graham, Ravi remarked 'A great voice has been lost but the message goes on.' Those two things are just as true today. In the late Rev Billy Graham, it's been observed that God gave us the greatest evangelist of the 20th century. In Ravi Zacharias, God gave us the greatest Christian apologist of this century."
Pence went on to describe Zacharias as "the C.S. Lewis of our day," adding that he "criss-crossed the globe to every mars hill he could find to answer sceptics, move obstacles of unbelief armed with intellect, with truth and love."
Pence said that "when giants fall, the impact is felt near and far," but encouraged all those in attendance that "the work of RZIM will go on."
The Vice President concluded: "We mourn with those who mourn, and we grieve with those who grieve. But we do not grieve like those who have no hope. Because, by faith, we believe that Jesus lives, and by faith we know that Ravi lives also.
"Ravi Zacharias fought the good fight, he finished the race, kept the faith, he clung to the power of the cross and the empty grave. Now we know there is laid up for him a crown, which the Lord will reward him with on that day. May God bless the memory of Ravi Zacharias. May God comfort his precious family as they mourn the passing of this good and great man.
"May God grant us all the grace to walk forward with hearts full of gratitude for the life that we honor today. A man who just a few short days ago undoubtedly heard 'well done, good and faithful servant.'
"Thank you Ravi, and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand."
You can watch the memorial service below:
