Did You Know? 10 Questions with Dr. Zacharias
On the Friday following Bible Conference, I got the chance to meet with Dr. Tim Zacharias and ask him ten questions. Since he’s a newer face around campus, I wanted all of us students to get to know him a little better as a person rather than a preacher, especially since he’s been so personable from the pulpit.
Below are my questions with his answers. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I did asking them!
1.) What kinds of things do you do for the Campus Church?
“As the assistant pastor, my job is to assist Pastor McBride in leading the church effectively and efficiently. That involves many ministry roles and responsibilities. My main responsibility is to supervise the Campus Church staff. I oversee their responsibilities, and make sure that the church is functioning properly.”
2.) Dogs or cats? And why?
“Dogs, not cats. Dogs aren’t as finicky. I have two Lhasa Apsos—little white fluffy dogs. I‘ve always loved dogs, and we’ve always had dogs.”
3.) What’s your favorite holiday?
“Well, I like all of them. You get time off, you get to eat food, and be with family. I love Christmas. I love the lights, the sounds, the sights, the events, the family functions. I love coming home. My wife decorates the house big time. I love Thanksgiving—stopping and thinking about what all God’s done for you and enjoying the family time together. I’m patriotic, so I love the Fourth of July. You know what? I love them all.”
4.) Dream job before you were called to the ministry?
“I know this might be hard for people to believe, but I wanted to be a farmer at one time. When I was a kid, I ’d plan my farm. I don’t know why—maybe because my uncle was a farmer and I saw him. Then I worked on his farm for a week and I realized that’s not what I want to do.
And then I wanted to be a pilot. I studied books on how to fly, and a pilot took me up and let me fly his plane. He sat in one seat, and he let me steer the plane from my seat.
Toward the end of my high school life, I wanted to be a businessman, but my heart really wasn’t in the right place. I just wanted to make money. I was fighting the Lord’s will, and I knew the Lord wanted me in the ministry.
And so, here I am today, doing what I love to do. That’s another thing I do for the Campus Church—preach and lead songs. I love to sing. I love to teach the Bible. I love to disciple people and counsel them one-on-one. I love what I’m doing.”
5.) What’s a weird talent you have?
“I can do voices—impressions. I can mimic preachers. I’ve heard lots of preachers over the years so I just picked it up. Oh, and I can do a really good nerd skit. I was known for it when I was a student here. I’d put the outfit on, the glasses, the hiked-up pants and all that, and I’d turn into a different person. One time, people watching the skit didn’t even realize who I was. I’m not going to do it for you— those days are done. I’m trying to keep my pastoral image, but I do make a really good nerd. And I think there’s a little nerd in everyone. You just gotta find your inner nerd.”
6.) Waffles or pancakes?
“Both!”
7.) When did you first meet Pastor McBride? First impression of him?
“I changed my major to Youth Ministries between my sophomore and junior year in ’86. That’s when I met Pastor McBride. He taught my Youth Ministries practicum, and he was one of my favorite teachers. He only taught that one class back then at the college, and I always looked forward to that class. I don’t know if he remembers me from back then, but that class was really formative in my life because I was learning from a youth pastor. I went on into youth ministry after college.
But I don’t think I really got to know him until probably two years ago when I was coming down here to speak. And my first impression of Pastor McBride? If he likes you, then he’s going to be sarcastic with you and he was with me—so I figured he must like me.
He also has a real compassion for people. He has a very sharp mind for remembering names which I admire. He can meet someone and remember their name, and care about the particular details of their life. That’s a very admiral trait for a pastor. We’re going to miss him here at the Campus Church.”
8.) What are some hobbies you have enjoyed throughout your life?
“Well, I like sports. Before my cancer, I was an avid jogger, and I loved it. Every now and then I’d do the road races—I loved being outside in the scenery, competing against myself.
I can’t jog anymore because the cancer was in my back—I can’t do that pounding movement. But I’ve taken up cycling. I love to get on my bike and go out for an hour, and just ride. I’ll play golf now and then, too. So mostly sport hobbies.
Oh! And my wife and I love to remodel. We love to take a room and redo it. We love to decorate. So for her and I, our hobby is our house. And together, we love to take older homes and turn them into beautiful homes.”
9.) Favorite book of the Bible? And why?
“Well, I read Proverbs every day. I’ve read Proverbs every day for about 25 years, and I always get something out of it. It’s so practical. It always speaks to me. It’s a book of wisdom, and it’s immediately applicable. I like I and II Timothy, too—I can relate to them. They’re about pastoral ministry, so I go back to that a lot.”
10.) What’s your favorite change on campus since you were a student?
“Hmm. A big change? I can’t think of anything. One thing that is really different from when I was a student is Four Winds. When I first came, we were assigned seats at the meal table where we all ate the same thing. There are so many choices in Four Winds now. Back then, you’d rotate your assigned seats every two weeks. You got to meet people that way—and you know, that’s how I met my wife! We were forced to meet new people, which I think is good on a large campus. It’d be easier to just have your little friend group, and not know anyone outside of it.
One change I would have liked as a student is no Lights Out. You guys have no Lights Out!”
Over my time being at Pensacola Christian College, I’ve learned that the best way to get to know someone is to talk to them. Pastor Zacharias is no exception to that!
He has shared stories on stage and given heartfelt messages from the pulpit in chapel, but he is much more than just a man on stage. He’s a man who has faced hardship and has learned to lean on God the whole way. He may be new, but his heart is certainly there for the Campus Church and the student body.
Can you think of someone else you’d like to know more about? Let us know in the comments! We’d love to hear from you.
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