Pastor Zachery Tims, 42, of New Destiny Christian Center died in a New York City
hotel room on Aug. 12. The rumored death of the Orlando-area pastor set the
social media world ablaze this weekend. Now, condolences are pouring in through
the same web 2.0 channels that first broadcast the news.
Even
as Charisma News works to confirm rumors related to Tims’ cause of death in a W
Hotel room in Times Square, support for his family and eulogies are flooding his
Facebook page. The medical examiner has not yet announced the cause of death. However, New York City police said there will not be a criminal
investigation.
“Words
cannot fully express the depth of my sorrow that I feel at this moment in time
having lost our shepherd, Dr. Zachary Tims. While I do not question God I am
simply perplexed,” writes Travis Warren. “I thank God for using DOC to show me
and the world that it was cool to be young, gifted, and be connected with a
great Church like New Destiny. RIP DOC, you will be truly missed for an
eternity. Thanks for keeping it oh so REAL!”
In
1996, Tims envisioned a ministry that “transcends beyond the normal religious
traditions of man.” Being sent from his Baltimore church, Tims and his family
moved to Orlando and planted a congregation with six members. That was the birth
of the multicultural New Destiny Christian Center.
“I
just watched his sermon ‘Just Get Up’ and it moved me so much. I was going to
bring my teenage daughter to church. I believed he would appeal to her as
well…I am so saddened to hear the news. He seemed to have such a promising
future. My condolences to his family as well as his church family,” writes
Shappelle Harris.
New
Destiny’s Sunday Worship Services and messages are seen worldwide in over 100
million homes daily through radio and television broadcast. Tims was often a
special guest or host on the Trinity Broadcasting
Network’s Praise the Lord. He penned the story of his salvation and deliverance from addictions
in It’s Never Too Late.
“My
heart is saddened by the news,” writes Patricia Henderson. “A great soldier in
the Lord has been called home. I’m praying for the NDCC family and that God
heals your hearts. My prayer is that you continue to operate in excellence as
you move forward.”
