Zachery Tims’ Viewing, Funeral Plans Announced

Zachery Tims’ congregation united on Monday night to mourn their senior pastor as a family. Tims was found dead on Friday at 6 p.m. in a W Hotel room in New York City. The official cause of death is not yet known.

Tims’ wake will be held at New Destiny Christian Center on Aug. 19 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The funeral will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Orlando in Florida.

Zachery and Riva Tims started New Destiny Christian Center in a storefront with just a few members in 1996. The church rapidly grew to a peak of 8,000 members.

Results of the toxicology tests are pending after an autopsy conducted on Saturday did not offer conclusive evidence about Tims’ cause of death.

Tims is survived by four children, Zoelle, Zachery III, Zahira and Zion.