Bishop Long-head of mega church New Birth Missionary-in Georgia is one of the most powerful African American churches in the world. New Birth has been rocked by a scandal involving Long and 4young men claiming Long coerced them into gay sexual relations.
Church by definition is a leader in any community, however a church with over 20 thousand followers has
influence, power and authority. In the Lithonia section of Georgia there sits on a 200 plus acres of land one of the most beautiful church’s in the world “New Birth Missionary” lead by prominant and affluent pastor Bishop Eddie L. Long.
Bishop Long has been the leader of New Birth since 1987 when it had approximately 150-300 members. Under Long’s leadership the church has grown into a strong powerful entity in the community of more than 20 thousand members.
Long is best known for delivering some of the most powerful televised didactic messages from the New Birth marble pulpit podium-preaching God’s word on love,marriage,relationships and faith-reaching millions of people all across the globe.
Long has been awarded with numerous accolades of accomplishments from the CDC, Dignataries,Various Schools and local officials. The Bishop is a rockstar within the church community-his undesputed giving of money and jobs to many in his congregation and others. He is also involved in third world giving and development of schools, hospitals and homes in Kenya for the underprivaledged.
”Bishop Long is so awesome-he would give you anything if you needed it, he once gave away 2 range rovers during service while paying off a mortgage’s of others” said Ms. Sparkle a New Birth member.
Having such a prestine reputation for successfully building and developing communities along with speaking out against gay and homosexual lifestyles-it’s nearly inconceivable to believe allegations of this magnitude would be against the very respectable anti-gay Bishop Long. 
Married to his second wife Vanessa-the Long’s have 4 children, Eric, Edward, Jared and daughter Taylor. The Long’s live in a 5thousand sq ft. 1.5million dollar home-cars including luxury vehicles such as Range Rover, Mercedes and a Bently
.
None could imagine Long being accused of such horrific ugly allegations.
New Birth Missionairy Plaintiffs include Anthony Flagg and Maurice Robinson both men in their 20′s have obtained attorney B.J. Bernstein, filing a law suit in a Dekalb County court against Bishop Eddie L. Long alleging of sexual coercion-claiming gave them gifts,cars,money,jewelry and trips. The suit also claims Long used his pastoral influence of mentoring to engage in sexual activities with the two men to satisfy his own sexual gratification.
Allegations filed against Long include a ritual ceromony engaging in a gay sexual performace with Bishop and the young men. With the exchanging of rings declaring full devotion between the two very similar to gay marraige wich Long has been very outspoken of. All of these allegations Bishop Long vehemently denies said his attorney Craig Gillen.
”It’s sad and unfortunate that these two men would take this course of action against Long who has not been served with any copies of the law suit” said Gillen.
“New Birth Missionary Baptist Church is one of the mega-churches in the lithonia section of Georgia. B.J. Bernstein, attorney for the plaintiffs said relations started with Bishop Long when they were passed 16 yrs old which is the legal age in the state of Georgia. When asked if motives where involved, Long’s attorney Gillen said Robinson broke into the Bishop’s office stealing jewelry supposedly worth up to $100k along with an Iphone and Ipad. B.J. Bernstein, attorney for the plaintiffs-has included the burglary in the law suit stating Robinson admits to breaking into Long’s office as a form of retaliation.
Saying he was upset to discover Long was involved in another relationship with another young man. In other words Robinson (allegedly) was apparantly jealous to find out he was being “played” by Long.
The two plaintiffs are seeking a trial by jury and undisclosed damages. If it were one person making accusations then some may say hhhmmm if were two, others would probably say well now that accusation may have some validity to it-But when it’s a third person? What’s really going on.
A Civil Law suit has been filed against Bishop Long indicating gay sexual intimate acts from now a third man. A Colorado man Jamal Parris 23yrs old has come forward filing a Civil Law suit against Bishop Long-indicating a gay sexual affair-saying this affair started with Jamal at the age of 17.
A fourth man-Spencer LeGrange now 22yrs old has come forward filing a Civil Law suit alleging Long coerced him into a gay sexual affair in 2005-LeGrange went with Bishop Long on a trip to Africa.
The Fox 5 I-Team has faxed copies of the lawsuit over to Bishop Long’s office-however there has been no response from Bishop Long nor his attorney Craig Gillen since Tuesday Sept 21,2010. Dale Russell, of Fox 5-discussed these allegations 20 days ago with a New Birth Church spokesman who responded back via email indicating no comment could be made at this time due to the nature of the potential malicious allegations against Bishop Long.
As a man of faith-My constant prayers are with you and your family during this time. Here are a few young members of New Birth giving their opinion on Long’s allegations during a CNN interview with Don Lemon.
Bishop Long speaks to the New Birth congregation today and didn’t deny allegations-”I have never claimed in my life to be a perfect man-but I am not the man they say I am on tv, I feel like I’m David and fighting Goliath, this thing I will fight“ said Bishop Long during today’s Sunday morning’s service.
At a press conference following services Bishop Long didn’t take any questions nor did he deny the allegations of the four young men.
“Thank you all for coming today, I didn’t know how important New Birth was-as advised by my council I will not take any questions regarding these allegations, thank you.” Bishop Long said.
What is most interesting to all is-it took Bishop Long a week to say this? hhhmmm also if he was going to have a press conference as indicated by his attorney Craig Gillen-why not let the reporters ask questions? If you are not guilty of these allegations why not say ”I am innocent”-not one time did Bishop Long say I am innocent. That alone was very disturbing sending yet more shock waves to many within the Black church community.
A bigger question is why would these four men who don’t all know one another lie about something so damaging? To add insult to injury all men have strikingly similar stories of Long’s coersion…Are these mere allegations or facts? hhhmmmm
We will all see how this is going to play out in the court room and the media.
No one is here to pass judgment-Only God can and will judge. All everyone wants is the truth to be told. One must understand the influence and huge impact that the New Birth Mega Church empire has had within the Lithonia community and globaly for the last 20 plus years.
These are ugly allegations that warrant full explanations from both sides. The truth lies between Long and the plaintffs that may never be revealed.
Developments of this story will follow as more public information is released:
I pray and have faith in God that he will reveal all truths.

Article written by Miss Cat
Shara 7:53 pm on September 22, 2010 Permalink |
i couldnt believe it when i heard this.. actually i could unfortunately.. such a shame!
Miss Cat 9:31 pm on September 22, 2010 Permalink |
Shara-This is so unfortunate for everyone-No one wins in cases like this.This story has sent Shock waves through out the world. My prayers are with everyone involved and that these allegations are completely false.
joanne campbell 3:03 am on September 24, 2010 Permalink |
I wasn’t aware of these allegations. It’s ashame and so sad. One thing I’ve learned in life…Don’t judge your fellow man. I know my God is real and the Truth will be revealed. Another sign to show us that he is coming soon. Peace
Miss Cat 4:12 am on September 24, 2010 Permalink |
Joanne Campbell-Yes this is truly unfortunate and sad-God is really real and he will reveal all truths..