Riva Tims files lawsuit against New Destiny Christian Center

In a previous post I made you aware that New Destiny Christian Center named Paula White as its new Senior Pastor and that Riva Tims planned to file a lawsuit.  Chanel 13 Apoka has the following report on Riva Tims press conference held earlier today.

 

 

By John W. Davis, Reporter           

APOPKA —

New Destiny Christian Center named its new leader Thursday, as a co-founder of the church filed a lawsuit in protest.

Paula White, who heads up the Without Walls International Church in Tampa, was named the pastor of New Destiny Thursday.

Protesters have been vocal though against installing White as the new pastor, replacing the late founder of the church, Pastor Zachery Tims. He died in August.

Tims’ ex-wife, Riva Tims, has filed a lawsuit against the church. She says the church bylaws make it plain that she should be pastor of the church.  She says she has tried to meet several times with New Destiny’s board and with White, but they have refused to meet her.

Tims held a news conference before the church formally announced White has the new head of New Destiny on Thursday.

“I’m here to declare to you today that as a founder of New Destiny Christian Center, that I am the real mother,” Tims said to cheers.

Tims and her attorney say if nothing else, the congregation should be allowed a final vote on who should be pastor of the church.

There is a contingent of people at the church who are suspcious of White. Her church, Without Walls, has been saddled with controversy. A 2006 audit found the church had more than $26 million in debt, while her and her ex-husband, who believe in the “prosperity gospel,” lived a lavish lifestyle.