On Thursday (September 1), Lighten Group, a new ministry started by Sarah Davis, former CEO of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) and daughter of late Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias, announced that it is shutting down.
On the same day, Julie Roys of the Roys’ Report linked a July news release from Preston Sprinkle, President of the Center for Faith, Sexuality, and Gender. In that announcement, Sprinkle introduced Davis’ husband, Lou Phillips (RZIM, Lighten Group), as their new director of Church and Ministry Relations. Davis and Phillips were recently married.
Lighten Group, whose team is comprised of former RZIM employees, was founded in the fall of 2021 and was supported by RZIM funding.
“Lighten exists because we believe that Jesus extends rest, clarity, and joy to each of us. The Light of the World beckons our minds, hearts, imaginations, and souls,” the organization’s website says.
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The shutdown announcement appeared on the Lighten Group’s Instagram page.
“It was nearly a year ago when our team stepped out to form Lighten with the mission of extending God’s invitation to those who ask why. Our heart’s desire, our longing, and our calling has been to share the good news of God’s amazing love,” they said.
Lighten Group expressed they had known the hardships that come with starting a non-profit organization but strongly believed that God was calling them to do so.
“Over the past year, our team has prayed fervently God would open and close doors according to His will and He has honored our prayers. God is ultimately the Leader of this organization, and we have sought to follow His leading,” they shared.
“Currently, we believe God is leading us to prepare for shutting down the organization,” Lighten announced. “This decision was not easy, but we seek to be good stewards of the time, money, and resources entrusted to us. Given our small team and the growing financial challenges that lie ahead, we believe this is the right decision and timing.”
