Dr. Tims is a graduate of Maranatha Bible College and Towson University (MD), with degrees in both divinity and accounting.

In addition to serving as the senior pastor of New Destiny, Tims has become a nationally recognized and sought after speaker. Zachery and his wife Riva have appeared as guests on TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network), as well as numerous other Christian TV networks. They have a television program, No Limits, and a radio ministry that are also both broadcast nationally on various TV and radio networks.

A controversial story was leaked and then aired by WOFL-TV, an Orlando area FOX-TV news affiliate on Nov 6, 2007 alleging that Pastor Tims had committed "numerous adulterous affairs". According to the report, Tims publicly asked for forgiveness and patience from the community, while he and his wife deal with what he called a "difficult situation". According to a press release issued by the church, Tims volunteered to submit to counseling within the Christian church community.In actuality, what had reportedly happened that Tims had admitted to an almost 2 year long affair with a woman, Judy Nyugen, 38, that began while vacationing in Paris, France in early 2006. After three months of both in-state and out of state counseling by fellow clergymen, Tims resumed his role as Head Pastor of NDCC. Tims's wife, Dr. Riva Tims who filed for divorce in December 2008, would leave NDCC to to pursue her own ministry, Majestic Life Institute. Their divorce, after 15 years of marriage, was finalized in August 2009, with the couple sharing joint custody of their children.as of 2010, Tims has resumed his role as Head Pastor of NDCC, while his former wife Riva has continued in her own ministry.