Zachery Tims Death: Fla. Megachurch Reveals Guidelines for Choosing New Pastor
The late Zachery Tims' church, New Destiny Christian Center, has revealed Friday one of the requirements needed for applicants looking to take over the senior pastoral role the charismatic preacher left vacant when he died in August.
Following a report last week that NDCC was about to announce its basic requirements that would be instrumental in selecting an effective replacement for the late pastor "soon," Minister Samuel Anderson, an executive administrator of the church, told The Christian Post Friday that NDCC is seeking "a pastor that is part of a husband and wife team."
According to Anderson, New Destiny is desirous of a pastor who is part of a supportive married couple, that would be committed to each other as they commit to the message and growth of the Apopka, Fla., megachurch.
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This is not out of keeping with the history of NDCC, which, many will recall, began due to the hard work and commitment of pastors Zachery and Riva Tims. After relocating from Baltimore, Md., in response to a directive by Zachery Tims' pastor, the couple moved to Florida and, after hard work and great dedication, built a ministry that would eventually grow to a membership of 7,500 in just ten years.
The Tims, who share four children, divorced in 2009.
Since the death of her 42-year-old ex-husband, who was found unresponsive in a New York City hotel room on Aug. 12, many members of the church have called for Riva Tims to take up the mantle of leadership and become pastor of the megachurch.
Tims, the founder, CEO and pastor of Majestic Life Ministries in Orlando, responded to these calls through a message on her Facebook page on Sept. 26:
"In response to so many of your inquiries...I have gotten an overwhelming response from my New Destiny Family to come home and/or at least minister to them. However, I have not been contacted by NDCC staff to return or to assist in the transition. I will continue to pray and cover NDCC that the vision Zack and I birthed will continue! Thanks for all of your love and prayers."
In an Oct. 4 interview with Anderson, the executive administrator informed CP that NDCC had begun the appropriate steps to ensure an effective transition, but explained, "We have not completed the final requirements" needed to guide the church to the right candidate that would be presented before the board of bishops.
On Oct. 14, the church announced that news on the requirements would be posted "soon." Today's information gives an insight into the type of pastor NDCC will eventually select.
