Ravi Zacharias Visits Friend of ‘Immense Courage’ Nabeel Qureshi

Jan 09, 2017 02:49 PM EST

Famous Christian apologist Dr. Ravi Zacharias recently paid a visit to his friend and co-worker Nabeel Qureshi in Houston, Texas and described him as a man whose "mind is stayed on the Lord."

The founder and chairman of the Ravi Zacharias International Ministries said he was "delighted" to have visited Qureshi, who had given up most of his speaking engagements since he was diagnosed with advanced stomach cancer in August 2016.

"Delighted to be with my dear friend, Nabeel Qureshi, this week," Zacharias said on a post to Facebook.

Writing in a separate blog, Zacharias said Qureshi's disposition in the face of cancer reminded him of what was described in Isaiah 26: 3: "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You."

"That is the picture I have of being with my dear friend, Nabeel Qureshi," Zacharias wrote.

Despite the cancer diagnosis, he said Qureshi remains a "man of immense courage" who has kept his focus on God, fully convinced that no matter what happens, God is in charge of his situation.

Zacharias added that Qureshi's "smile, his conversation, and his discipline" all show his deep commitment to Jesus Christ.

"His mind is stayed on our Lord. Nothing wavering - as sure as ever that he is in the hands of His Savior, come what may," Zacharias said. "The entire RZIM team and board stand closely with Nabeel and his family and the thousands all over the world that are praying for him."

Qureshi is a Pakistani American who converted from Islam to Christianity, embracing Jesus as his Lord and Savior. He is married to Michelle and has a baby daughter named Ayah.

He joined RZIM as a speaker a few years ago and fondly calls Zacharias as "uncle."

"What a privilege to spend the afternoon with my good friend & mentor, Dr. Ravi Zacharias! Excited about all the good work RZIM is doing!" Qureshi said on Facebook.

Qureshi has written three books: "Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus," "Answering Jihad," and "No God But One." The first one won the Best New Author and Best Nonfiction awards from Christian Book Awards. It is the only book that has ever won both awards at the same time.

In December, he gave an encouraging commencement address for the Fall 2016 graduating class of Biola University.

Qureshi had his eighth chemotherapy last week. Several weeks ago, he reported that the main tumor in his stomach is gone, but the surrounding areas still showed the possibility of being cancerous.

Zacharias urged the Christian community to continue praying for Qureshi and his family.

"Please continue to pray for them," he wrote. "We love you, Nabeel, and stand with you all the way. Stay strong. Will come by and visit again, friend."