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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.<ref name=ell-bio>{{Cite web|date=2008-02-08 |url=http://www.thehistorymakers.com/biography/biography.asp?bioindex=1851&category=ReligionMakers&occupation=Minister&name=Bishop%20Eddie%20Long |title=Bishop Eddie Long Biography |work=Religion Makers |publisher=The History Makers |accessdate=24 September 2010}}</ref>
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.<ref name=ell-bio>{{Cite web|date=2008-02-08 |url=http://www.thehistorymakers.com/biography/biography.asp?bioindex=1851&category=ReligionMakers&occupation=Minister&name=Bishop%20Eddie%20Long |title=Bishop Eddie Long Biography |work=Religion Makers |publisher=The History Makers |accessdate=24 September 2010}}</ref>


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. Bishop Eddie Long's ex-wife claimed in divorce papers that he was physically abusive, alleging he beat her when she was seven-and-a-half months pregnant with the couple's only child. Dabara S. Houston said she was the victim of "cruel treatment" and was afraid of Long's "violent and vicious temper," according to Fulton County Superior Court records. She and her son "had to flee [the couple's Fairburn home] in order to ensure their safety," the documents say.
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.<ref name=1stmarr>{{cite news |last=Boone |first=Christian |author2=Ty Tygami |date=29 December 2010 |url=http://www.ajc.com/news/dekalb/bishop-eddie-long-ex-646136.html |title=Bishop Eddie Long&mdash;Ex-wife accused him in divorce papers of abuse |newspaper=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]] |accessdate=29 September 2010}}</ref>

The couple was married in 1981 and separated after a couple years, according to the documents. Long's first wife made the abuse allegation in a counterclaim after he petitioned for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.<ref>http://www.ajc.com/news/dekalb/bishop-eddie-long-ex-646136.html</ref>


==Books==
==Books==

Revision as of 17:01, 3 October 2010

Bishop
Eddie Lee Long
Born (1953-05-12) May 12, 1953 (age 71)
Huntersville, North Carolina
NationalityAmerican
CitizenshipUSA
Alma materNorth Carolina Central University
OccupationPastor
EmployerNew Birth Missionary Baptist Church
SpouseVanessa Griffin
ChildrenEric, Edward, Jared, and Taylor
AwardsTrumpet Award

Eddie Lee Long (born May 12, 1953) is the senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, a megachurch in Lithonia, Georgia, United States. When Long started as pastor for New Birth in 1987, there were 300 church members. Since his installation, membership has grown to 25,000.

Education

Long attended North Mecklenburg High School before attending North Carolina Central University, where he received a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration.[1] Long is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity[2] and he received his Master of Divinity degree from Interdenominational Theological Center. He holds a PhD in Pastoral Ministry from the International College of Excellence,[3] a Bible college accredited by an organization not recognized by either the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or United States Department of Education, the two institutions responsible for recognizing educational accrediting institutions in the United States[4][5] (see Accrediting Commission International).[6] North Carolina Central University, Beulah Heights Bible College, and the Morehouse School of Religion have given him honorary doctorates.[7]

Career

After getting his undergraduate degree, Long worked in sales for Ford Motor Corporation but was fired due to inaccurate expense accounts.[8] "He moved to Atlanta to study theology and became the pastor of a small Jonesboro, GA church."[8] In 1987 he became head of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, which at the time at 300 members; under Long, membership grew to 25,000.[8] In 2002, John Blake of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution wrote that Long "was consecrated a bishop in 1994 by the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship, a relatively new movement within African-American Baptist churches that embraces Pentecostal beliefs."[9]

In addition to serving as the senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, Long has been active in the metro Atlanta community since the 1990s.[10] He serves as a member on several boards, including the Morehouse School of Religion Board of Directors (Vice Chair); Board of Visitors for Emory University; Board of Trustees for North Carolina Central University; Board of Trustees for Young Life; Board of Trustees for Fort Valley State University; Board of Directors for Safehouse Outreach Ministries; and 100 Black Men Of America (honorary). In 2006, Long was unanimously voted as Vice Chair of Beulah Heights Bible College’s Board of Trustees. He’s also served as co-chair for the “Hosea Feed the Hungry” project since 2001.

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.[11] The event was attended by four Presidents (George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Jimmy Carter).[12] Long's appearance at Atlanta's Interdenominational Theological Center's graduation stirred up controversy, and led to some students discussing a boycott. Long's invitation prompted Black liberation theologian James Cone—who was scheduled to receive an honorary degree—to boycott the ceremony. Thirty-three graduating seniors sent a letter to the seminary's president "questioning Long's theological and ethical integrity to be their commencement speaker." Many students did not agree with Long's beliefs that God can "deliver" homosexuals and his teachings on prosperity.[13]

CNN has said "Long frequently denounces homosexual behavior."[14] Long has ministered “homosexual cure” programs to recruit gays and lesbians for what he called “Sexual Reorientation” conferences and his church offers an ongoing “Out of the Wilderness” ministry to help convert homosexuals into heterosexuals.[15] In 2004, Long led a march with Bernice King to the grave of her father, Martin Luther King, Jr. The march was a protest against same-sex marriage and in support of a national constitutional amendment to protect marriage "between one man and one woman."[16] A 2007 article in the Southern Poverty Law Center's magazine called him "one of the most virulently homophobic black leaders in the religiously based anti-gay movement."[14]

Long was a prominent supporter of George W. Bush's faith-based initiatives.[17] His ministry received a $1 million grant from the U.S. Administration of Children & Families.[17] 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."[17]

Long features on rapper Ludacris' album Release Therapy where he delivers a speech about God and faith on the track "Freedom of Preach."[18]

Controversies

Salary and Senate investigation

Wikinews has related news:
  • [[wikinews: Senate committee investigating six televangelists

    | Senate committee investigating six televangelists

    ]]

On August 28, 2005 the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that during the period between 1997 to 2000, Long received more than $3.07 million worth of compensation and benefits from his eponymous non-profit charity, Bishop Eddie Long Ministries Inc. Long contended that the charity did not solicit donations from members but instead gained its income from royalties, speaking fees and several large donations.[19] In 2007, Senator Chuck Grassley announced an investigation into the tax-exempt status of six ministries under the leadership of Benny Hinn, Paula White, Eddie L. Long, Joyce Meyer, Creflo Dollar, and Kenneth Copeland by the United States Senate Committee on Finance.[20]

Allegations of impropriety and lawsuits

On September 21 and 22, 2010, Maurice Robinson, Anthony Flagg, and Jamal Parris filed separate lawsuits in DeKalb County Superior Court alleging that Long used his pastoral influence to coerce them into a sexual relationship with him. In June, one of the accusers, Robinson, was arrested and charged with burglary in connection with a break-in to Long's office. An iPhone, iPad and other items—more than $1,300 worth—were taken from the office, according to the police report.[21][22] On September 24, Spencer LeGrande, a member of a New Birth satellite church in Charlotte, North Carolina, filed a similar suit, making him the fourth man to file a lawsuit claiming sexual misconduct by Long.[23] The plaintiffs state that Long placed the men on the church’s payroll, bought them cars and other gifts, and took them separately on trips to destinations such as Kenya, South Africa, Turks and Caicos Islands, Trinidad, Honduras, New Zealand, and New York City.[23][24][25] The lawsuits read "Long would discuss the Holy Scripture to justify and support the sexual activity."[24] Flagg's suit claims that Long presided over a "covenant" ceremony between the two of them. Flagg's attorney said "it was essentially a marriage ceremony, with candles, exchange of jewelry, and biblical quotes."[21]

Long has denied the allegations through his attorneys and spokesman, and said, "I have devoted my life to helping others and these false allegations hurt me deeply," he said. "But my faith is strong and the truth will emerge. All I ask for is your patience as we continue to categorically deny each and every one of these ugly charges."[26][27][28] Roland Martin, a commentator for TV One was scheduled to interview Long during a segment on the Tom Joyner Morning Show to discuss the two lawsuits. The lawsuit filed by Parris on September 22 prompted Long's team to cancel the Martin interview and a news conference.[14] Martin did speak with Long's attorney on the Tom Joyner Show.[29] On September 26, Long spoke to the New Birth congregation but he did not address the issue directly. Long spoke of painful times and said "I've been accused. I'm under attack. I want you to know, as I said earlier, I am not a perfect man, but this thing, I'm going to fight."[30]

Parris spoke publicly without his attorney present and said "that man cannot look me in the eye and tell me we did not live this pain. While you can sit in front of the church and tell them that you categorically deny it, you can't say that to our face," he said. "And you know this. You are not a man. You are a monster."[31]

Reaction

Ted Haggard, who pastored a megachurch until a gay sex scandal forced him to resign, said, "Long deserves a fair hearing. If the accusations are false Long will survive the ordeal."[32]

Georgia Democratic gubernatorial nominee Roy Barnes canceled a fundraiser that Long had been scheduled to co-host.[24]

Kenneth Samuel, who was pastor of New Birth before Long took the helm, said "whether it's true or not, the church has an issue of duplicity, hypocrisy and denial in terms of sexuality that the church has to deal with" and "unfortunately, I think Bishop Long is emblematic of a culture ... that causes pastor and parishioners to preach and testify one thing and practice something else."[33]

Roland Martin stated: "I also hope that when Long speaks, he does one of two things: If in his mind and heart he has done no wrong, he will launch a vigorous defense of his name and integrity, and vow with every fiber in his body to fight the charges, even if that means spending every dime he has and not settle the lawsuits. With all that said, and I fully understand that he has vigorously denied the allegations for the sake of the church, Long and his family, he needs to remove himself from the pulpit as the leader of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in order for the issue to be resolved to its conclusion."[29]

Julian Bond, former chair of the NAACP said if the sexual coercion allegations made by four young men against Bishop Eddie Long are true, it will be a "sad victory for gay rights."[34]

Personal life

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.[3]

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.[35]

Books

  • I Don't Want Delilah, I Need You
  • Power of a Wise Woman; What a Man Wants, What a Woman Needs
  • Called to Conquer
  • Taking Over
  • It's Your Time!
  • Gladiator: The Strength of a Man
  • The Blessing in Giving
  • Deliver Me From Adam

References

  1. ^ "Bishop Eddie Long donates $1M to alma mater". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 8 August 2008. Retrieved 25 September 2010.
  2. ^ "Famous Kappa Men". Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Fort Worth Alumni chapter. Retrieved 22 September 2010.
  3. ^ a b "Bishop Eddie Long Biography". Religion Makers. The History Makers. 2008-02-08. Retrieved 24 September 2010.
  4. ^ "Accrediting Agencies Not Recognized Under GAAP". Degree.net. 2008. Retrieved 2009-03-23.
  5. ^ Great Moments in Accreditation: The Case of IAC, ACI, and The Three Stooges, by John Bear, Quackwatch
  6. ^ "Accreditation". International College of Excellence. Retrieved 2009-03-23.
  7. ^ "EDDIE LONG MINISTRIES". Biography Ministries. Retrieved 25 September 2010.
  8. ^ a b c James C. McKinley and Robbie Brown (25 September 2010). "Sex Scandal Threatens a Georgia Pastor's Empire". The New York Times.
  9. ^ John Blake. "Titles from God: What's in a title? Quite a lot, to a new generation of pastors who leave 'the Rev.' behind in favor of more elaborate designations." The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Jan 12, 2002. p. B.1
  10. ^ Bishop Eddie Long through the years. Atlanta Journal-Constitution picture gallery. 13 of 13. Accessed 24 September 2010.
  11. ^ Day to Day (2006-02-07). "New Birth Missionary Church Hosts King's Funeral". NPR. Retrieved 2010-09-22.
  12. ^ McNamara, Melissa (2006-02-07). "Four Presidents Join 10,000 Mourners At Coretta Scott King's Funeral". cbsnews.com. CBS. Retrieved 22 September 2010.
  13. ^ "Bishop Eddie Long tackles controversy". New Pittsburgh Courier. highbeam.com. 2006-05-17. Retrieved 22 September 2010.
  14. ^ a b c CNN Wire Staff (23 September 2010). "Atlanta pastor cancels interview, news conference about sex scandal". cnn.com. CNN. Retrieved 23 September 2010. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  15. ^ Kirven, C.D. (2010-09-23). ""Ministering Treachery", The Truth Concerning Bishop Eddie Long's Spiritual Wilderness". lezgetreal.com. Retrieved 24 September 2010.
  16. ^ "Eddie Long, Atlanta Bishop, Denies Accusations Of Sexual Abuse By Male Parishioners". huffingtonpost.com. Associated Press. 2010-09-21. Retrieved 23 September 2010.
  17. ^ a b c "Ga. Pastor Who Backed Bush 'Faith-Based' Plan Under Fire Over Salary". Church & State. 58 (9): 16–17. 2005. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  18. ^ "BISHOP EDDIE LONG & FRIENDS". NuthinButGospel.com. Retrieved 22 September 2010.
  19. ^ Blake, John (2005-08-28). "Bishop's charity generous to bishop". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Atlanta Journal Constitution.com. Retrieved 28 September 2010.
  20. ^ "Read Grassley's Letters", npr.org, December 04, 2007. Retrieved on December 10, 2007.
  21. ^ a b By the CNN Wire Staff (21 September 2010). "Men allege sexual coercion by prominent Atlanta pastor". CNN.com. Retrieved 2010-09-23. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  22. ^ Matterucci, Megan (2010-09-22). "Third lawsuit filed against Bishop Eddie Long". ajc.com. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 2010-09-22.
  23. ^ a b Bluestein, Greg (24 September 2010). "4th Man Sues Ga. Megachurch Pastor". abcnews.com. ABC. Associated Press. Retrieved 24 September 2010.
  24. ^ a b c Matteucci, Megan; Boone, Christian (23 September 2010). "Bishop Eddie Long Radio interview, press conference canceled in wake of 3rd lawsuit". ajc.com. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 23 September 2010.
  25. ^ Gay, Mara (22 September 2010). "Preacher Eddie Long Faces Third Sex Abuse Claim". aolnews.com. Retrieved 24 September 2010.
  26. ^ Boone, Christian (2010-09-24). "Bishop Eddie Long". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Atlanta GA: Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved 2010-09-25. {{cite news}}: Text "4th lawsuit filed; Long tells followers ‘we will arise'" ignored (help)
  27. ^ Poole, Sheila M. (2010-09-23). "Bishop Eddie Long: Pastor, attorney speak out about lawsuits. Is it enough?". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Atlanta GA: Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved 2010-09-25. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  28. ^ Haines, Errin (22 September 2010). "Atlanta Megachurch Pastor Long Denies Sex Claims". abcnews.com. ABC. Associated Press. Retrieved 22 September 2010.
  29. ^ a b Martin, Roland (2010-09-24). "Bishop Eddie L. Long Must Step Down". creator.com. Retrieved 25 September 2010.
  30. ^ "Ga. megachurch pastors congregation standing by him despite claims of sexual relationships". foxnews.com. Associated Press. 27 September 2010. Retrieved 29 September 2010.
  31. ^ CNN Wire Staff (29 December 2010). "Accuser's message for Bishop Eddie Long: 'You are a monster'". cnn.com. Retrieved 29 September 2010. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  32. ^ Gay, Mara (23 September 2010). "Haggard: Atlanta Pastor Deserves Fair Hearing". aolnews.com. Retrieved 27 September 2010.
  33. ^ Davis, Mark; Sheila Poole (26 September 2010). "Powerful pastor's ministry put to test". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. A6.
  34. ^ Bagby, Dyana (25 September 2010). "Civil rights leader Julian Bond speaks out on Eddie Long same-sex scandal". The GA Voice. Atlanta, Georgia. Retrieved 30 September 2010.
  35. ^ Boone, Christian; Ty Tygami (29 December 2010). "Bishop Eddie Long—Ex-wife accused him in divorce papers of abuse". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 29 September 2010.

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