Funeral Service Held for Florida Megachurch Pastor Zachery Tims

A funeral service was held on Saturday for Florida megachurch pastor Zachery Tims who was found dead in a New York City hotel room last week.

The circumstances surrounding Tims' death is still a mystery and the 8,000 members of the New Destiny Christian Center, which was run by Tims, will have to start moving forward and begin rebuilding without knowing what resulted in the death of their leader. Tims, 42, founded the church in 1996 after moving to Orlando with his now ex-wife Riva. He survived by her and four children.

New York police have said a white, substance believed to be drugs, was found in an envelope on Tims' dead body. One police source anonymously told the media that the pastor's death was probably from a drug overdose. However, the New York Medical Examiner hasn't released an official cause for Tms's death, and said that toxicology test will be done, which could take weeks.

Tims was a former drug addict, a habit he kicked when he became a Christian, according to the church's website.

But until a cause of death is known, police in New York will continue with an open investigation.

The New York Daily News said police believe Tims was alone when he died because staff at the W Hotel in Times Square had to break through the door's security bar, which can only be put in place from inside the room. Another source told the paper that police are checking on Tims' whereabouts during his stay in New York, and his phone records.

Police don't suspect foul play in the incident, according to reports.

Thousands of people who have been touch by Tims' messages, whether by television or in person, continue to mourn his death. Some have taken to the Facebook page for the New Destiny Christian Center to spread their love and encourage each other.

Dr Zachery Tims has rested, one user wrote. (It)'s upon us now to do great works too hoping we can achieve as much as he did. The ball is in each of our courts! Let's live our lives in purpose, power, and prosperity

Some followers of have urged the public not to judge the dead pastor.

My heart was so heavy to hear about Pastor Tims. I first want to say Judge Not lest ye be judged. Matthew 7:1. My prayers got out to the family of Pastor Tims. To his wife and children I am praying for your strength during this time. For the New Destiny family I am praying for you as we all know how the enemy comes to kill steal and destroy but I stand in agreement with you that NO WEAPONS formed against you all shall prosper. My husband and I have watched Pastor Tims on several occasions and what a might Man of God. You are all in my prayers, wrote one commenter on the NDCC Facebook page.

But not all were so forgiving.

When I get to Heaven I'm gonna pop this man with the first harp I see. I am so angry that he left us. Why? Did he forget that people love him. Did he forget that his children needed their Father? I love Pastor Tims but I am angry about this tragedy. Got people devastated because he was selfish. Now his wife kids family all of us have to suffer behind this. I am hurt. I am hurt for his wife who was with him and saw a full life with him for him to just snatch it from her. I am going to stop cry one day over this loss but my tears help my heart front hurting so bad. Awesome man of God just gone. I'm hurt but prayerfull for his family. I am gonna miss hearing his powerfull messages and seeing his bright smiling face. Pastor Tims used to glow, wrote on commenter.