Funeral services held for pastor Zachery Tims – Central Florida News 13
ORLANDO –
A massive crowd of people said goodbye to mega-church pastor Dr. Zachery Tims Saturday.
“Oh, the church was packed,” said Herb McMillan who attended the funeral. Herb McMillan knew Pastor Tims while attending New Destiny Christian Center.
“Just the memories that I had with him, talking with him one on one or in service. I had to be here to say ‘thank you’,” McMillan said.
It wasn’t his home church, but First Baptist Church of Orlando is one of the few in Central Florida large enough to hold the funeral for Dr. Zachery Tims.
“The entire lower sanctuary was filled. A couple thousand easily,” McMillan said.
Serving as senior pastor, Tims’ congregation grew from eight members to 8,000. Tims also appeared on television and radio shows allowing his message to reach millions. One of those sermons was played during the funeral.
“He was speaking from the heart about what was important to him and that was really the people,” McMillan said.
Tims’ temporarily stepped away from the pulpit after an affair lead to the end of his marriage. He received counseling and returned as head of the church. Through his final years, Tims and his ex-wife Riva remained close. They had four children. Riva, a pastor herself, also spoke during the funeral.
“This is a difficult time for her,” McMillan said. “But she just showed strength getting up there and saying things from the heart.”
Tims’ cause of death is still unknown. He was found dead in his New York hotel room Aug. 12. Police found a suspicious powder in his pocket. Saturday, parishioners put the speculation aside.
“I think it’s an opportunity to remember the good things he did for you as a person and the community and that’s what we’re focusing on,” McMillan said. “We all make mistakes. We don’t really know what happened right now, but that’s what I came here to do, is remember the things he did for me as a person.”
The funeral service lasted nearly four hours. It was closed to the media. Security at the funeral was very tight. Cell phones and cameras were not allowed to be used inside the church.
Tims’ body was laid to rest at the Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, New Destiny’s website has suggested making a donation to Dr. Zachery Tims Jr. Children’s Trust at any Bank of America branch.