Teenage rebel-turned-pastor Zachery Tims got the first Charisma Book Expo off to a rousing start last night, bringing those at the Georgia International Convention Center in Atlanta to their feet as he challenged them to trust God for dramatic intervention in their lives.

They applauded as he told how when he was 14, he was written off by a judge who told him he would never amount to anything. But after shooting a man, being jailed and taking drugs, his life was turned around by Christ, he said.

“It can't be too late because Jesus is not stuck in time,” he said. “You are stuck in time. He is outside of time, and He steps into time to reverse time, and when He comes, He commands the devil to give back everything he stole.”

The pastor of New Destiny Christian Center in Orlando, Fla., Tims said he told his life story in his new Charisma House book, It's Never Too Late, to encourage others. Speaking from the story of Jesus' healing of Jairus' daughter and the woman with an issue of blood, Tims said God's timing was perfect even when it didn't seem to be.

Tims said God often “shows up when nobody else can take credit. It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when.” He urged people to humble themselves and reach out for God, as the woman with an issue of blood sought healing for her medical condition.

Tims' sermon followed music ministry by Judy Jacobs, with the two greeting attendees in the exhibition hall after the service, as the trade-show section opened its doors for the first time.

Around 100 Christian product suppliers and ministries have booths at the expo, which combines an industry event with a celebration of the charismatic publishing market that is open to the general public.

In addition to large-scale evening celebrations, there are smaller daytime workshops and seminars, book-signing sessions, opportunities to receive personal ministry, and training and panel discussions with a retailing and publishing industry focus.

The expo runs through Saturday, with music and ministry tonight from Marco Barrientos and Kim Daniels, and tomorrow from Martha Munizzi and John Bevere.

Saturday sees a family focus with a special VeggieTales appearance and premiere.

For more information, visit www.charismabookexpo.com.

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