The Passing of Pastor Zachary Tims...

On Friday, August 12, 2011, the 42-year-old Pastor Zachary Tims was found dead at W Hotel in Times Square, New York City, NY. A hotel employee found him at approximately 6 pm. The worker went to the room to check the minibar and noticed that the room was locked from the inside by the deadbolt. It is reported that he was in New York City for a meeting/conference and was supposed to preach that next Sunday in Texas.

I want to first state a disclaimer that the Dunlap Digest is not making any claims of opinion on the rumors of his death.

Pastor Tims founded New Destiny Christian Center with his then wife Riva in 1996. The NDDC grew to what now has a congregation of 8,000 members and two locations. The main sanctuary is located in Apopka, FL, where there is also a youth ministry building and a gymnasium and sits on 21-acres.

In his published biography, “It’s Never Too Late,” his memoir tells how a teenage criminal transformed his ways and became a prospering pastor. The book sold more than 25,000 copies through Charisma House Publications. In many of his sermons, he spoke of his addictions to drugs and his affiliations to gangs and selling drugs. It was reported that his body was found with a white powdery substance, hinting that there may have been a drug overdose. The drug toxicology test has not been released, so no cause of death has determined. The NDCC has experienced a great loss. There have been rumors that his ex-wife, Riva Tims, may be considered the new pastor.

Upon moving to Orlando, FL, I attended NDCC from January 2011 to June 2011. I began by just visiting and then joined the ministry and joined the choir and praise team. I can remember many messages Pastor Tims taught that seemed to be addressed right to me personally. He spoke and preached on faith, tithes, and success in Christ.

Amidst the many rumors regarding his death, I can only sympathize for his family and church members. What comes to mind is a saying my grandmother always told me, “Everyone is human and makes mistakes. What you judge may become your future.” I pray that others can live by this and realize that everyone has their own struggles and adversities to overcome. With that being said, let’s continue to stay prayerful and remember the good more so than the bad of anyone. RIP Pastor Zachary Tims.

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