One of Christendom’s great apologists, evangelists, and beloved worldview teachers died at 74 on Tuesday, May 19, after a battle with a rare form of spinal cancer that was diagnosed in March. Ravi Zacharias had just celebrated his 48th wedding anniversary with wife Margie.

At 17 Ravi attempted suicide, ended up in a hospital, and then surrendered his life to Jesus in his hospital room. And then for the next 57 years, he dedicated his life to ministry. Ravi’s mission was “helping the thinker believe and the believer think.”

"Ravi saw the objections and questions of others not as something to be rebuffed, but as a cry of the heart that had to be answered," said Michael Ramsden, president of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM), the global ministry that Ravi started in 1984.

Ravi’s daughter, Sarah Davis, noted, “Even in his final days, until he lacked the energy and breath to speak, he turned every conversation to Jesus and what the Lord had done.” Sarah became the global CEO of RZIM last November to allow Ravi to focus on other pursuits.

Ravi leaves behind his wife, Margie; his three children: Sarah, Naomi, and Nathan; and five grandchildren. Ravi’s life verse, John 14:19, will be on his tombstone. The verse states, “Because I live, you also will live.”

A livestreamed memorial service will be held in Atlanta. Details have not yet been made public.

News Sources

Ravi Zacharias, Now With Jesus
Ravi Zacharias International Ministries

‘Because I Live, You Also Will Live’
Family Research Council

Obituary: Ravi Zacharias
Ravi Zacharias International Ministries

‘Now with Jesus’: Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias dies at 74
Christian Post

World-Renowned Christian Advocate Ravi Zacharias Dies
CBN.com

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