Thread: Florida megachurch pastor found dead in New York hotel room

Florida megachurch pastor found dead in New York hotel room

August 15, 2011

By Chris Boyette, CNN NEW YORK (CNN) — New York police are awaiting autopsy results in the death of Zachery Tims, the senior pastor of an Orlando-area megachurch who was found dead in a New York hotel room Friday.

Tims, 42, was found unresponsive Friday about 6 p.m. on the floor of a room in the W Hotel in Times Square, New York Police Department spokesman Sgt. John Bethorn said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Tims was the senior pastor and founder of New Destiny Christian Center, a nondenominational church in Apopka, Florida, about 15 miles northwest of Orlando.

The church declined to comment Monday on news of Tims’ death, saying a public statement would be made at 7 p.m.

Members of the church on Monday were mourning the loss of their pastor. “I was shocked to hear of Pastor Tims passing. I will miss you and am thanking God for the time you were here. Go rest high on that mountain,” one member posted on the church’s Facebook page Monday.

Wrote another: “Forever grateful to Dr. Tims and NDCC. Our daughter and son in law began their Christian journey with Pastor Tims. On this sad day we want to send our condolences to his family and flock and simply say… Thank you! His life and ministry were not in vain.”

Tims founded the church in 1996, overcoming a youth filled with personal struggles, including attempted murder charges and drug addiction.

He documented his troubles in the 2006 book “It’s Never Too Late,” published by Charisma House.

“We are saddened by the news of Pastor Tims’ untimely death,” the publisher said in a statement. “His ministry impacted many throughout Central Florida as well nationally through television, books and speaking engagements. His personal testimony of redemption became the earmark of his ministry and was continually demonstrated via community outreach, preaching and teaching.”

New Destiny’s first service was held in a hotel room; membership has since swelled to more than 8,000 members, according to the center’s website.

With television and radio broadcasts, the center’s site claims the Sunday worship service reaches more than 100 million homes worldwide.

As a major leader in the evangelical movement, Tims’ death reverberated through the Christian community.

“DEEPLY saddened to hear of the passing of Pastor Tims … praying for his family and church,” tweeted Bishop T.D. Jakes, founder and senior pastor of the Dallas-based megachurch The Potter’s House.

The New York Medical Examiner’s office has not released a cause of death, pending autopsy results.

Police say there are no current plans for a criminal investigation.

10 Comments

1. Anglican
August 15th, 2011 1:30 pm ET
May light perpetual shine upon him. Amen.
2. AGuest9
August 15th, 2011 1:37 pm ET
The h00k3r beat feet out of there after he had the heart attack, eh? (snip)

From CNN.com

###

Well, what's the verdict? Any guesses?

-- Natural causes
-- Drug overdose
-- Sexual asphyxiation
-- Murder
-- God called him home
-- Space aliens
-- Other

Originally Posted by IronAddict

"Tims founded the church in 1996, overcoming a youth filled with personal struggles, including attempted murder charges and drug addiction".

Once again proving my point, religeon, the last resort of every heathen.

Oh, my vote. Who cares.

Is that related to pigeons?