Contact: Audra Jennings, The B&B Media Group, 800-927-0517 ext.104, ajennings@tbbmedia.com
MEDIA ADVISORY, Jan. 2 /Christian Newswire/ -- In keeping with its ongoing mission to maintain the highest standards and integrity, Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) has announced it has appointed Tom Essenburg as its new Director of Development. RZIM, which last week was named one of MinistryWatch.com's "30 Shining Lights" in Christian ministry for its financial and ministerial integrity, was founded in 1984 by international speaker and best-selling author Ravi Zacharias. RZIM was chosen as one of the "30 Shining Lights" from a collection of more than 500 ministries worldwide.
Tom Essenburg, RZIM's new Director of Development, is a native of Muskegon, Michigan, where he grew up at the Maranatha Bible and Missionary Conference Grounds. He earned his degree in Business Administration at Taylor University and went on to serve almost 20 years in Chicago and Madison, Wisconsin, with Youth For Christ, first as a campus life director in three high schools for four years and as executive director for 15 years. For the last 19 years, Essenburg has served in the Advancement/Development Office of Taylor University in Upland, IN.
"RZIM is delighted to announce the appointment of Tom Essenburg as Director of Development. Tom brings extensive experience both from the academy (having served 18 years at Taylor University) and in evangelism (for 17 years with Youth For Christ)," said Ravi Zacharias. "His relational strength, devotional heart, and integrity of life bring exactly the kind of person that RZIM seeks as a representative of its development vision to support our worldwide program, now based in nine countries and responding to invitations globally. We are grateful for his addition to our team and I am sure those who stand with this ministry will be equally delighted as they get to know Tom."
Tom and his wife Julie have been married 34 years and have two children and one grandchild. They enjoy walking and praying together, water sports, and golf.
RZMI is celebrating its 23rd year in ministry. The organization is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with additional offices and staff in Oxford, Toronto, India, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates.
Ravi Zacharias was born in India in 1946 and is well versed in the disciplines of comparative religions, cults, and philosophy. Dr. Zacharias has spoken in more than 50 countries and in numerous universities worldwide including Harvard, Princeton, and Oxford University.
As the author of more than a dozen books, Zacharias has garnered some of publishing's highest praise including the Gold Medallion for "Best Book in the Category of Doctrine and Theology" for his second book, Can Man Live Without God (Word Publishing, 1994). It has been translated into eight languages. Zacharias' latest books include The Grand Weaver and Beyond Opinion. His weekly radio program, Let My People Think, is broadcast on over 1000 stations worldwide, and he has appeared on CNN and other international broadcasts.
