Bishop Eddie Long of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church Must Come Clean

Bishop Lee Eddie Long financially settles sexual coercion lawsuit against four boys.

Bishop Eddie Long of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church located in Lithonia, Georgia is not guilty nor has he been charged with any wrong doing. However, I am reminder of the idiom – Where there's smoke, there's fire!

Maybe it is a coincidence; but public court case records do indicate that 4 (four) lawsuits were filed against Bishop Long by young men between the ages of 20 through 23. Record does indicate that the plaintiffs were unfamiliar with one another, prior to the first plaintiff going public with his lawsuit.

After the plaintiffs went public, Bishop Long said he was anxious to defend himself against the "ugly charges" from the pulpit Sunday. That was also followed by another statement from Bishop Long, the powerhouse leader behind mega-church. In the statement, Bishop Long again denied that he coerced the teenage boys into sexual relationships and promised that the "truth will emerge." He also added, "I am anxious to respond directly to these false allegations and I will do so". In another statement distributed by his publicist, Bishop Long said, " However, my lawyers have counseled patience at this time."

I guess Bishop Long way of defending himself is by paying monetary settlement; most likely at the expense of membership dues, donations and contributions. What ever happened to his statement, “I am anxious to respond directly to these false allegations and I will do so"?

Curious as to what Bishop Long will tell the congregation the Sunday after his settlement announcement went public, I visited the church during their early Sunday morning service. Thanks to the two older ladies I sat next to – I heard another juicy news. One of the ladies says to the other, “Sister Bernice King has submitted her letter of resignation to Bishop”. Bernice King is the youngest daughter of the late Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and an elder minister at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. I have not authenticated this juicy news nor could I verify it. It however, has some element of truth to it.

With members cheering, the Bishop took to pulpit Sunday, but talked or preached about progress and prosperity to the several hundred gathered. The choir did a series of beautiful songs including Moving Forward.

To my disappointment, Bishop Long did not mention a word about the settlement, he acted as if he was moving forward.

After the service ended, I got into my car and played the CD Moving Forward by Israel Houghton and finally got the Bishop's Message.

Israel Houghton- Moving Forward (w/ lyrics)

Moving Forward

What a moment
You have brought me to
Such a freedom I have found in You.
You're the healer
Who makes all things new
Yeah yeah

I'm not going back
I'm moving ahead
Here to declare to you
My past is over in You
All things are made new
Surrendered my life to Christ
I'm moving moving forward

You have risen
With all power in Your hands
You have given me
A second chance

Hallelujah hallelujah
Yeah, yeah, yeah
yeah, yeah, yeah

I'm not going back
I'm moving ahead
I'm here to declare to you
My past is over in you
All things are made new
Surrendered my life to Christ
I'm moving, moving forward

You make all things new
Yes
You make all things new
And I will follow You
Forward