Preacher of the Week

Bishop Eddie Long, the senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, a megachurch in unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia, United States, near Lithonia. When Long started as pastor for New Birth in 1987, there were 300 church members. Since his installation, membership has grown to 25,000.

Long was honored in 2005 at the Trumpet Awards for his leadership, dedication and service around the world.

In 2006, Long was chosen by the family of Martin Luther King, Jr. to host and officiate the funeral for Mrs. Coretta Scott King, wife of the late civil rights pioneer. The event was attended by four Presidents (George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Jimmy Carter).

Long was a prominent supporter of George W. Bush's faith-based initiatives. His ministry received a $1 million grant from the U.S. Administration of Children & Families. Rev. Timothy McDonald suggested a link between Long's anti-gay activity and the grant saying "If you look at the black pastors who have come out with the faith-based money, they're the same ones who have come out with campaigns on the gay marriage issue."

Long features on rapper Ludacris' album Release Therapy where he delivers a speech about God and faith on the track "Freedom of Preach."

The congregation of New Birth may be considered part of the Bapticostal movement. Long says that he has experienced speaking in tongues.

Long was born in Huntersville, North Carolina, to Floyd and Hattie Long and graduated from North Mecklenburg High School in 1972. Long is the husband of Vanessa Griffin Long and the father of four children, Eric, Edward, Jared and Taylor.

Long married Dabara S. Houston in 1981 and were divorced after a brief marriage. The couple's son Edward Long is New Birth's youth director for junior and senior high ministries.