DeGroot mentioned bankruptcy proceeding filings revealed Visser’s organization owed around $800,000 to about twelve people in Maranatha or their unique businesses, such as the Thompsons. DeGroot additionally offered paperwork of Thompson’s financing to Visser’s people.

Thompson stated when he knew that Visser wasn’t probably pay your back once again, the guy recorded case against Visser while the chapel to try and recover his funds. (Thompson stated his lawyer advised suing for $one million because plaintiffs usually become half of whatever they inquire and Thompson would also incur appropriate charges.)

Thompson included which he and Visser never attained a settlement as Zacharias’ fit alleged. Instead, Thompson mentioned he dropped the match because Visser gone broke.

Thompson mentioned he might have nevertheless pursued the match from the chapel plus the denomination. But instead, he and Lori Anne decided to work within CRC denomination in an attempt to push responsibility.

a€?Significant economic Distressa€?

Both Brad Thompson and Ian deGroot chuckled as I questioned if Thompson was in a€?significant monetary distressa€? after their alleged a€?settlementa€? together with his pastor, as Zacharias’ lawsuit alleges.

Similarly, Tamara Battiste, Lori Anne Thompson’s sibling, stated: a€?Thompson is actually a millionaire . . . They do not need funds. They usually have never-needed revenue.a€?

Taxation statements the Thompsons provided demonstrate that from 2010-2017, the Thompsons generated between $193,000-$552,000 each one of those years. In 2017-the seasons the Thompsons sent the demand page to Zacharias- the couple made $443,000.

The couple additionally provided amply to charities and ministries during those decades. In 2015, the Thompsons donated more than $102,000 to charity. In 2016 and 2017, the happy couple contributed about $50,000/year to foundation.

James Hunt, CEO of UCB Canada-the prominent Christian transmission system in Canada-said Brad Thompson was certainly one of UCB Canada’s big supporters prior to 2017.

Quest stated Thompson paid the airtime for Ravi Zacharias’ broadcast plan on UCB Canada. Hunt mentioned that’s the reason why Thompson ended up being asked to sponsor a table in the luncheon where Brad and Lori Anne fulfilled Zacharias.

Through the years, search stated he is gotten to understand Thompson better and explained him as an a€?honorable guya€? and a€?someone of integrity.a€?

Exactly why the Need Page?

a€?As Lori Anne and that I found out more and more predation and brushing as well as the quantity of subjects that predators have . . . we realized we had a moral obligation, or a godly obligation, before the Lord, to not do nothing,a€? Brad said.

Brad said the happy couple considered several options. One, is heading directly to the panel of Ravi Zacharias Global Ministries (RZIM) bumble vs coffee meets bagel. However, the couple easily ignored the theory because they believed Ravi Zacharias, their partner, with his child, Sarah-who’s now CEO of RZIM-were all members of RZIM’s board.

RZIM no more publishes the names of its board users. But in 2014, whenever RZIM last printed an IRS type 990, Zacharias, his girlfriend, and his awesome child, Sarah, were on board. We attained out over and over repeatedly to RZIM, inquiring who was simply on their board in 2017, but RZIM would not respond to my personal concern.

Thompson said the guy and Lori Anne in addition regarded as visiting the nyc era or some other big book. Although few made the decision against they because the guy said both were fighting thinking of committing suicide and couldn’t handle the general public embarrassment that could deliver.

However, the happy couple mentioned they did launch their particular statements to several webmasters since they happened to be positive term wouldn’t wide spread to their own hometown in Ontario.

But Thompson stated he and Lori Anne both sensed the only method to render Zacharias capture all of them seriously would be to send the requirements letter. He mentioned their lawyer, Mark Bryant, proposed the $5 million figure plus the pair trusted his wisdom.