Ravi Zacharias International Ministries' president Michael Ramsden has apologized for the part that he and his ministry played abuse by the ministry's founder.
In February 2021, RZIM released a report detailing how author, apologist, and speaker Ravi Zacharias had engaged in sexual misconduct over several years. The misconduct included Zacharias groping several spa workers and sending romantic emails to women all around the world. The revelations were a shock for many in the Evangelical world. However, RZIM has often been silent in discussing the distinct role that the staff and leadership played in allowing Zacharias the leeway to do such.
Now, an unlisted video has been released by RZIM with its president, Michael Ramsden, addressing his role.
Ramsden expressed that he was "stunned at the duration and depth of his abuse and deception" and that he had believed the apologist to be naive, a notion he now realizes better applies to himself. "I was wrong to trust Ravi for so long. I thought I knew him."
Ramsden apologizes over attempts to protect Zacharias. This included Ramsden not listening to his staff and the ministry's condemnation of Lori Anne Thompson. She had been involved in a texting scandal with Zacharias in 2017.
"I am so sorry I failed by not hearing you sooner," Ramsden tells the viewers, noting how much "agony" RZIM had caused his victims.
Ramsden says that the last few months have been an experience of learning to follow a "listen, learn, confess, repent, make restitution" model of reconciliation that has been incomplete. However, he intends to do what he can to account for his role in Zacharias' abusive conduct.
Ramsden is now the third member of RZIM to apologize for their role. CEO Sarah Davis and RZIM Senior Vice President Abdu Murray have also made similar apologies. The RZIM board, which remains anonymous, has also apologized.
The ministry is currently undergoing what Ministry Watch describes as a "months-long independent assessment by management and compliance consulting firm Guidepost Solutions to evaluate the organization's structure, culture, policies, processes, finances, and the handling of any former abuse allegations."
