Pastor Zachery Tims Found Dead, Followers Say ?Judge Not?
Florida megachurch pastor Zachery Tims was found dead late Friday in a New York City hotel. He was lying on the floor unresponsive and pronounced dead at the scene.
The police believed he was alone and do not suspect foul play. Drugs, however, are suspected. (The New York Medical Examiner has not yet published any definitive results).
A white powdery substance, believed to be narcotics, was found in the right pocket of his shorts, reported the Wall Street Journal.
As a youth, Tims struggled with drug addiction. However, he was miraculously delivered from it when he converted to Christianity and was called to ministry, according to his church New Destiny Christian Center's (NDCC) Web site.
Shortly before his death, the NDCC claimed to have 8,000 members and reach over 100 million households through broadcast.
Before news of the white powdery substance was reported, his followers and fellow Christian leaders poured out their grief and condolences.
"Today my heart is grieved over the loss of my spiritual son and long time friend and associate, Pastor Zachery Tims," wrote Pastor Paula White on her Facebook page.
After the controversial information leaked, some of his followers urged the public not to judge Tims, especially before any official reports have been issued.
"Don't listen to all the negative things, wait for the conclusion of the matter," wrote one commenter on NDCC's Facebook page.
"One day you will be judged and I am sure you dont want to be judge with the same strong hand you judge him... RIP Pastor Tims may you be remember for the good deeds and let those good deeds be over shadowed by the bad ones," wrote another.
"Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again," wrote a third, quoting from Matthew 7:1-2.
The white powdery substance found on his body isn't the only controversy surrounding Tims.
In 2009, he divorced his wife of 15 years after admitting to having an affair with a stripper.
Tims is survived by his ex-wife and four children.
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