Megachurch Pastor Zachary Tims Dies at 42

I've just been made aware that Florida Megachurch Pastor Dr. Zachery Tims, Pastor of New Destiny Christian Church, has died. He was 42, and was found dead in his hotel room in New York City. Details are still sketchy at this time, and at this writing, only a few websites are even reporting his passing. From what I'm seeing right now, there seems to be a lot of speculation as to cause of death, but I'm assuming that in time, the facts will come out as needed.



Very sad.  Unfortunately, there are many who will remember Dr.Tims' primarily because of a huge scandal back in 2007-2008 that rocked his Orlando area Charismatic church, one that would eventually lead to the dissolution of his marriage. I do hope Rev. Tims was able to make peace with God before he left this earth.   Tims was frequently seen on the Praise The Lord broadcast on TBN, and also had his own daily program on the Word Network. His church, and their 8,000 members will be in my thoughts and prayers in the days ahead, as well as his former wife Riva and his kids.

Even as I type this, I'm still pretty stunned, having just received this news within this past hour. Indeed, this just serves as another reminder that God can call our number at any time. Forty-two just seems too young for any one of us to go. May Dr. Tims rest in peace.

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News Article: Confirmed: Pastor Zachery Tims Dead

New York City, NY -- WFTV has confirmed the death of well-known Pastor Zachery Tims of the New Destiny Christian Center in Apopka.

The New York City Police Department confirmed Tims died on Friday, August 12, 2011.

Tims' body was found in room number 3711 at the W Hotel in New York's Times Square at approximately 6 p.m.

The New York City Police Department reports Tims was found unresponsive on the floor in the room. Emergency responders pronounced him deceased.

The New York City Medical Examiners office is awaiting results of an autopsy.

Stay Tuned to Eyewitness News for more information on this Breaking News.

http://www.wftv.com/news/28864192/detail.html

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The blog Obnoxioustv has some interesting info which may give a little background to the circumstances behind this still-developing story:

We are deeply sadden to report that Dr. Zachery Tims, Pastor of New Destiny Christian Church has been found dead in a hotel room in New York. Although, it is still very early it seems the cause of death was a massive heart attack!


The mega-church pastor was a lover of sports and took a trip to New York to attend a preseason football game. It is said that he was a season ticket holder for several football and basketball teams Church members became alarmed when did not make it back to church for Sunday Morning Service.


Several church employees flew to New York to confirm if the man found was in fact their pastor. It was confirmed with our sources at 8:05pm that Dr. Tims was dead.

Article here: http://obnoxioustv.wordpress.com/2011/08/15/breaking-news-dr-zachery-tims-found-dead/#entry