Tributes have poured in for Ravi Zacharias after the grave announcement that doctors can medically do no more for his cancer.
The Christian apologist was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer in March 2020 after going in for back surgery on February 20. Since then, he has undergone rounds of chemotherapy. However, the condition of the area where the cancer metastasized has deteriorated and Zacharias has returned home to be with his family.
Sarah Davis, daughter of Ravi and CEO of Zacharias International Ministries broke the news to the ministry's staff last week, saying: "We have just learned that while the tumor in my dad's sacrum has been responding to the chemotherapy, the area where the cancer metastasized has actually worsened."
Following the announcement, Tim Tebow choked back tears as he shared about how the evangelist has impacted his life and faith.
"I think it's really important in life to have heroes, and especially in the faith," Tebow said in an Instagram video. "I'm just so grateful for Ravi and his life, and our friendship and everything that he has helped and mentored me in.
He continued: "He's been an absolute inspiration, a hero of the faith, and he'll definitely be in the hall of faith. We're just so grateful for his life, for his impact, for his ministry."
Christian rap artist Lecrae said: "What in the world ties a black kid from hip hop culture to a scholar from Delhi, India? I used to find myself on tour rapping in front of thousands of people, leaving stage and coming back to my tour bus devouring his videos and lectures. As a former atheist and skeptic, now believer, I wanted my peers in the culture who didn't believe to have answers to hard questions. "Why is there evil in the world?" "Where is God in the midst of suffering and injustice?" I would digest his lectures in front prestigious universities and craft the insight into my own language. Because of #ravizacharias I had answers to hard questions. Who would've thought a tour bus full of young rappin city kids would go in between watching Hip Hop award shows to theological debates and lectures. I just want to give this man his roses while he's still here. I know God is likely taking him home soon, but Im glad he was here during my life time. #thankyouravi"
Evangelist Christine Caine said: "#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"
Zacharias' daughter Naomi Zacharias paid tribute to her father by sharing a video of a rendition of "How Great Thou Art" sung by a virtual choir by Metro Music Therapy.
Naomi explained that she was with her father in Houston when he received the uplifting video of the virtual choir.
"I got to sit next to my dad and push play and see the look on his face as he heard them using their beautiful voices to sing for him... and one of his favorite songs of all time," she said. "Words that he knows and has gone to for years and clings to... even today."
Naomi thanked Metro Music Therapy for creating the moving tribute for her father.
"I want to thank you for this labor of love, this act of love. I don't know how you guys created this virtual choir for him but I want to thank you with all my heart and we are so grateful for you, your friendship, thank you for what you did for him and for breathing life into his soul," she explained. "It truly was food for the soul. It blessed him, it blessed us and we wanted to share it because we know it will bless you too."
Metro Music Therapy offers a music therapy program called "Songs of Hope", which provides music therapy services for hospice patients, grief-stricken children, and refugees in the Atlanta area.
The video starts with a dedication to Zacharias: "For Ravi, with love and prayers. May this tribute to an old friend remind you that the one who placed the stars holds you in the palm of his hand."
Zacharias, 73, is an Indian-born Canadian-American evangelical apologist who founded his international apologetics organization, Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) in 1984. As a prolific author and speaker, he has written numerous Christian books and has publicly debated and defended the Christian faith.
