Zachery Tims Dead: Florida Megachurch to Address 'Rumors' on Pastor
Members of the Florida megachurch founded by Zachery Tims will hold a meeting Monday night to address the “rumors” regarding their late pastor’s mysterious death.
New Destiny Christian Center (NDCC) in Apopka, Fla., issued a statement on its Twitter account Sunday and again on Monday notifying visitors that a meeting will be held tonight, August 15, at 7 p.m. to discuss the “several rumors and speculations” regarding Pastor Tims’ death.
A press release will also be issued at the meeting, according to the announcement.
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A representative with NDCC declined to give a statement this morning to The Christian Post and instead noted that any information concerning Tims would be provided at the 7 p.m. meeting.
By Monday afternoon, a recording had been posted on the Florida church’s main line thanking callers for their “concern and prayers for Dr. Zach.”
Tims, the senior pastor at NDCC since 1996, was found dead by cleaning staff in his room at the W Hotel in New York City around 6 p.m. Friday.
Police have ruled out foul play and have no plans to launch a criminal investigation.
An autopsy conducted Saturday failed to provide any clues as to what may have killed Tims, 42.
It was not immediately clear why the megachurch pastor, who often appeared on TBN’s “Praise the Lord” program, was in New York.
According to his biography on NDCC’s website, Tims had a troubled youth before he was “miraculously saved, instantly delivered from drug addiction, and called into ministry.”
Tims and his wife, Riva Tims, founded NDCC in 1996 and the church currently boasts about 8,000 members.
The Timses divorced in 2009, two years after speculation surfaced that the senior pastor had been involved in an extra-marital affair with an exotic dancer.
In October of 2007, Tims confessed to his congregation that he would be stepping down and seeking counseling for a so-called indiscretion. Tims returned to the pulpit three months later.
After the divorce, Riva Tims left NDCC and founded her own church, Majestic Life Ministries, also in Orlando.
Calls to Majestic Life Ministries remained unanswered Monday.
Tims leaves behind four children.
Well wishes had been pouring in on NDCC’s Facebook page since news of Tims' untimely death broke over the weekend, with both fans and fellow ministers expressing sadness over the pastor's death.
Paula White, pastor of Without Walls International Church in Tampa, Fla., mourned Tims, her "spiritual son" and "longtime friend," on Facebook, saying:
"While words are difficult for me to find during this time of loss, I honor the great work he has done for the kingdom of God and pray for every family member, friend, associate and the incredible congregation of New Destiny. The Bible says that we mourn with those that mourn and rejoice with those that rejoice. As the family of God we walk through this together…"
