Overview

Eddie Lee Long (May 12, 1953 – January 15, 2017) was an American pastor who led New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, a large congregation in DeKalb County, Georgia, from 1987 until his death. Under his leadership the church expanded into a prominent megachurch, and Long became a widely recognized figure in contemporary African-American evangelicalism and televangelism. For more on the church he led see New Birth Missionary Baptist Church.

Ministry and influence

Long's ministry emphasized charismatic preaching, personal transformation and material blessing, elements often associated with the prosperity and charismatic movements. He built an extensive program of weekend services, outreach initiatives and media broadcasts. He published books and spoke at conferences, attracting national attention and drawing a sizable, devoted congregation. Profiles and interviews documented his style and approach; a sample overview is available at biographical coverage.

Characteristics and operations

New Birth under Long operated multiple ministries including youth outreach, educational initiatives and community events. Its facilities and programs reflected megachurch organizational structures: large worship gatherings, staff teams, volunteer networks and fundraising campaigns. The church's rise illustrated broader trends in late 20th-century American evangelicalism and urban ministry. For context on such churches see related resources.

Long's public life was marked by controversy. In the early 2010s several young men filed lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct; Long denied wrongdoing and the cases were resolved out of court. His ministry and personal lifestyle drew scrutiny from religious peers, journalists and critics who debated issues of pastoral accountability, wealth and theological emphasis. Media reports and legal summaries are collected at news and legal coverage.

Death and legacy

Eddie Long died in 2017 after an extended illness attributed in public statements to an aggressive form of cancer. His passing prompted reflections on both the growth he brought to New Birth and the controversies that shaped his final years. Evaluations of his impact consider pastoral leadership, institutional influence and the wider conversations his career provoked about transparency and governance in large congregations. Further commentary and memorials are available at tribute and analysis.

  • Tenure: Senior pastor of New Birth, 1987–2017.
  • Roles: Pastor, author, public speaker and televangelist.
  • Notable issues: Rapid church growth, media profile, later legal controversies.