Bishop Eddie Long, the controversial leader of one of the nation’s largest megachurches, has died. Recent report by Christian Post said according to a statement released by Georgia-based New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. The cause of death has been confirmed as cancer, the statement explained (below). Long was 63.
The church, which is one of the nation’s largest megachurches and has boasted about 25,000 members at its peak, has said, “Bishop Long was known as one of the most influential faith leaders in the world. He stood strong as a Kingdom Builder, pioneering leader, and revolutionary mind changer.”
The church has also confirmed that Long died following a battle with an “aggressive form of cancer.”
Since his announcement, his illness has resulted in prolonged absences from his ministry for more than a month at one point, and he told his congregation just weeks before the New Year’s Eve service that the church would start holding just one service.
In that same service, Long told inquiring members of his congregation that he stopped answering their calls because they were asking too many questions. If they wanted to help him, he said, just keep coming to church and bring a friend.
“I know a lot of you try to contact me, and call me and text me. I can’t return all the texts, I get all the love. Just know I can’t do it. It’s just too many, too many,” stressed an Long in a clip from the Dec. 11, 2016, sermon posted on YouTube.
His wife, Vanessa Long has added: “Although his transition leaves a void for those of us who loved him dearly, we can celebrate and be happy for him, knowing he’s at peace.”
Over recent months, Long had been in the news repeatedly for his drastic weight loss, and it was confirmed that he was battling an undisclosed “health challenge.” He publicly announced last September that he was facing the “health challenge” after he could no longer say that his fast disappearing figure was due to a raw vegan diet.