APOPKA, Fla.,None — The new year brings a new pastor for the New Destiny Christian Center in Apopka. Paula White took on the new role during a church celebration Saturday night.
White replaces Zachery Tims, who was found dead in a hotel room with a white powder in his pocket over the summer in New York City.
In a web-televised sermon, White accepted her new role Friday.
“This is a great gain for us and the kingdom of God, and I trust that you will celebrate with me as we continue to expand and we take care of business,” White said in her first service at the church.
Her appointment has been met with resistance ever since church members learned she will lead the church. Tims' ex-wife and other members aren't too happy with who the church has chosen. Riva Tims said she filed a lawsuit against the church, even though she filled out an agreement saying she wouldn’t press charges.
Tims said that the agreement could be argued in court on her Facebook page.
"This was signed while Dr. Zachery Tims, Jr. was alive when there would never be a reason for me to file a complaint against NDCC. This can be challenged in a court of law but our desire is not to lose focus of our eminent goal to expose any possible deception of the NDCC board in their selection of the new pastor," she wrote.
The church released a statement saying the lawsuit doesn't have any merit, but they still respect Tims.
“As a co-founder of our church, she will always be loved and respected, but we are moving forward now with our new senior pastor, Paula White," the statement said.
Tims wrote on her Facebook page that she is concerned about her children. Tims wrote, “My complaint against NDCC board is and always has been an issue of the alleged negligent and illegal process NDCC’s board used to select a new pastor. My concern, as the mother of the children of the late Dr. Zachery Tims Jr., Zoelle, Zachery III, Zahria and Zion Tims is that they will never have an opportunity to receive the inheritance their father left for them.”
White's new role comes as Tims’ family is trying to block his autopsy results from becoming public. When WFTV asked Tims’ ex-wife about it Friday, she offered no comment.
WFTV
