Most know Dr. Riva Tims as a riveting preacher and dynamic pastor. She’s also recognized as the co-founder of New Destiny Christian Center in Orlando, FL, the church that she and her former husband, the late Dr. Zachery Tims, built together. She’s also known as a woman who has been through the fire and lived to tell the story. But what many don’t know is that she is a lover of music, specifically Gospel music.
“One of the reasons I love Gospel music so much is that it sets the atmosphere for worship,” states the Pastor. It was during a time of preaching, however, that she felt led to record a CD. “Doing this CD was out of my element, but I knew it was something that the Lord wanted us to do,” says Tims. The Pastor tapped her Praise & Worship Director, Lydell Tate, to spearhead the recording. Tate and Ernest Collins both participated in the songwriting and production of the release.
Tims doesn’t consider herself a musician or singer – although she did play the flute in high school and took piano lessons in college — but she understands the power of music. “Music complements the prophetic gift, the anointing. For me, it’s an important element for worship. Some see it as entertainment; I don’t see Gospel music as entertainment. I see it as a vehicle for ministry and worship to the Most High God.”
The musicians and singers of the ensemble, Majestic Praise, are from Majestic Life Church and are members of the praise team and the church. The gifted singers are clearly capable of setting an atmosphere for praise and worship, evident in the new CD, Access Granted. In addition to the riveting, “Incredible God”, the CD contains tracks like the title tune, “Access Granted”, inspired by a sermon by Tims and “When It All Falls Apart”, also the title of Tims’ autobiography. The singles and the full release are available online through iTunes and other major online distributors. To connect with Riva Tims & Majestic Praise, find them on Facebook at http://facebook.com/majesticpraisemusic and on Twitter at @RivaTimsMP.