Ian deGroot, Thompson’s accountant which used to act as the treasurer for Maranatha, corroborated Thompson’s tale

DeGroot stated personal bankruptcy filings demonstrated Visser’s organization due around $800,000 to about twelve members of Maranatha or their own people, such as the Thompsons. DeGroot additionally supplied paperwork of Thompson’s financing to Visser’s enterprises.

Thompson mentioned when he noticed that Visser was not browsing spend him right back, the guy registered case against Visser therefore the church to try and recover his money. (Thompson mentioned his attorney suggested suing for $1 million because plaintiffs typically bring 1 / 2 of what they inquire and Thompson could sustain appropriate charges.)

Thompson extra which he and Visser never hit funds as Zacharias’ fit alleged. Alternatively, Thompson said he dropped the fit because Visser moved broke.

Thompson mentioned he could have however pursued the suit resistant to the church plus the denomination. But instead, the guy and Lori Anne chose to operate around the CRC denomination to try and push responsibility.

a€?Significant monetary Distressa€?

Both Brad Thompson and Ian deGroot chuckled whenever I expected if Thompson was at a€?significant economic distressa€? after their so-called a€?settlementa€? together with his pastor, as Zacharias’ lawsuit alleges.

In the same way, Tamara Battiste, Lori Anne Thompson’s brother, mentioned: a€?Thompson are a millionaire . . . They just don’t want funds. They usually have never-needed revenue.a€?

Tax statements the Thompsons gave show that from 2010-2017, the Thompsons generated between $193,000-$552,000 every one of those many years. In 2017-the year the Thompsons delivered the requirements letter to Zacharias- the happy couple generated $443,000.

The happy couple furthermore provided generously to charities and ministries during those ages. In 2015, the Thompsons contributed over $102,000 to charity. In 2016 and 2017, the couple contributed about $50,000/year to charity.

James search, Chief Executive Officer of UCB Canada-the prominent Christian transmission system in Canada-said Brad Thompson was one of UCB Canada’s biggest followers in advance of 2017.

Look stated Thompson paid the airtime for Ravi Zacharias’ broadcast plan on UCB Canada. Look asserted that’s exactly why Thompson was asked to sponsor a table in the luncheon in which Brad and Lori Anne met Zacharias.

Over the years, quest said he’s reached learn Thompson better and explained him as an a€?honorable guya€? and a€?someone of stability.a€?

Exactly why the Need Letter?

a€?As Lori Anne and that I learned a little more about predation and brushing and the quantity of victims that predators has . . . we know we had a moral obligation, or a godly duty, prior to the Lord, to not do-nothing,a€? Brad stated.

Brad stated the happy couple considered a number of options. One, got heading right to the board of Ravi Zacharias worldwide Ministries (RZIM). However, the couple quickly ignored the idea since they thought Ravi Zacharias, his wife, and his child, Sarah-who’s now Chief Executive Officer of RZIM-were all members of RZIM’s board.

RZIM not any longer publishes the names of their panel members. But in 2014, whenever RZIM past published an IRS form 990, Zacharias, their girlfriend, along with his child, Sarah, had been throughout the board. I attained out over and over repeatedly to RZIM, asking who had been on the board in 2017, but RZIM would not answer my question.

Thompson said he and Lori Anne also considered visiting bumble or tinder the New York Times or some other big publishing. Nevertheless few chose against it because he said they both happened to be experiencing thoughts of committing suicide and couldn’t handle people humiliation that could deliver.

But the couple mentioned they performed launch their particular statements a number of webmasters since they comprise confident keyword won’t spread to their particular home town in Ontario.

However Thompson stated the guy and Lori Anne both noticed the only way to render Zacharias capture all of them honestly was to send the requirements letter. The guy mentioned their attorney, Mark Bryant, advised the $5 million figure while the partners dependable his view.