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Top 10 Interesting Facts about Eddie Long

As an avid follower of influencers, I am delighted to serve as your guide through this article spotlighting 10 fascinating facts about Bishop Eddie Long.

While his charismatic preaching captivated thousands, there are lesser-known details that shaped this prominent pastor’s complex legacy. Join me as we explore Long’s unconventional rise from humble Southern origins to lead one of America’s largest megachurches.

This collection of obscure trivia and surprising insights illuminates a multidimensional figure beyond the pulpit. From his business savvy to lavish lifestyle and controversial scandals, I uncover eye-opening perspectives on Long’s enduring impact on modern Christianity.

Follow along as I reveal fascinating revelations beyond the surface-level narrative.

1. He received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 1977

Eddie Long was born on May 12, 1953 in Charlotte, North Carolina to Reverend Floyd M. Long Jr. and Hattie Long. He studied at North Carolina Central University in Durham, graduating in 1977 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Long pursued his education in his home state before embarking on his career.

2. Eddie Long worked as a factory sales representative for the Ford Motor Corporation

, , via Wikimedia Commons

After earning his Bachelor’s in Business Administration in 1977, Long began working as a factory sales representative for Ford Motor Company.

However, he was terminated from this position for submitting expense reports that contained personal phone calls, which was against company policy.

Long’s first job after college was cut short when he improperly included personal expenses while working for Ford.

3. Long claimed to hold a doctorate in “Pastoral Ministry” from the unaccredited International College of Excellence 

Eddie Long asserted that he possessed a doctorate in “Pastoral Ministry” from the International College of Excellence, an unaccredited institution.

Notably, this college lacks recognition from the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the United States Department of Education, the primary entities responsible for accrediting educational institutions in the United States.

Therefore, the legitimacy of Long’s claimed academic credential is questionable as it originates from an institution without recognized accreditation.

4. He moved to Atlanta to study theology

, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

After being fired from Ford Motor Company, Eddie Long moved to Atlanta to study theology.

In Atlanta, he became the pastor of a small church in Cedartown, Georgia. This transition marked a pivotal shift in Long’s career path, from working in business to pursuing ministry.

His enrollment in theology courses and appointment as pastor of a small Georgia church represented the beginnings of his pastoral work

5. Eddie was the senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church – one of the largest churches in the U.S.

 In 1987, Eddie Long became the pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, which had around 300 members at that time.

Under Long’s leadership as pastor, the church membership grew substantially to 25,000 people. New Birth Missionary Baptist incorporated elements of both Baptist and Pentecostal traditions, placing it within the Bapticostal movement that combines the two.

Long’s appointment as pastor and subsequent efforts helped expand the congregation from a few hundred to thousands of members over his decades of ministry there.

6. Long was given the title “bishop” in the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship in 1994

Eddie Long

Eddie Long was granted the title of “bishop” within the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship, a coalition of black Baptist churches incorporating charismatic practices in 1994.

His sermons, writings, and teachings emphasize a hierarchical “chain of command” that advocates for “respect, submission, and obedience” within specific relationships.

Long outlines the chain’s first link as a man choosing to be respectful, submissive, and obedient to God. In this structure, a woman then chooses to extend these qualities to her father or husband.

Deviating from this divine order, Long contends, leads to the forfeiture of both spiritual and natural benefits.

7. Several Lawsuits were filed against him

Several lawsuits were filed against Eddie Long. In 2010, four young men accused Long, the then senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Georgia, of sexual misconduct and coercion.

The lawsuits claimed that Long used his influence and authority to coerce the young men into engaging in sexual acts. Eddie Long vehemently denied the allegations, and the cases were settled out of court in 2011.

The settlements were confidential, and specific details were not disclosed. The controversies surrounding these accusations had a significant impact on Eddie Long’s reputation and the New Birth congregation.

8. He was a prominent supporter of George W. Bush’s faith-based initiatives

, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Long was a prominent supporter of George W. Bush’s faith-based initiatives. His ministry, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, received a million-dollar grant from the U.S. Administration for Children & Families as part of these initiatives.

The grant was intended to support community outreach programs. However, Rev. Timothy McDonald suggested a link between Long’s anti-gay activity and the grant, implying that pastors supporting faith-based initiatives were also involved in campaigns against gay marriage.

This connection raised questions and discussions about the intersection of religious activities, government funding, and social issues like LGBTQ+ rights.

9. Long donated $1 million to his alma mater, North Carolina Central University in 2008, to establish a professorship in his name 

In 2008, Eddie Long donated $1 million to his alma mater, North Carolina Central University. The donation was intended to establish a professorship in his name.

Long claimed that the money for the donation came from his income, derived from various real estate ventures and royalties from his books.

The act of philanthropy aimed to support education and create a lasting impact at the university where he had pursued his studies, reflecting his commitment to contributing to academic initiatives and leaving a positive legacy in the field of education.

10. He died on January 15, 2017, at the age of 63 from an “aggressive form of cancer”

Eddie garnered significant attention on Twitter when he posted a video on Facebook showcasing a drastic weight loss in August 2016.

In the video, he mentioned consuming “raw vegetables” instead of what he referred to as a “slave menu” and claimed not to be on any medications. Subsequently, in September 2016, Long released a statement stating that he was “recovering” from an unspecified illness, emphasizing that it was “unrelated” to his dietary choices.

Unfortunately, Eddie Long passed away on January 15, 2017, at the age of 63. The official cause of death, as stated by the church, was attributed to an “aggressive form of cancer.” 

The facts presented illuminate Eddie Long’s complex legacy beyond the pulpit, spotlighting his rags-to-riches rise, lavish lifestyle, scandals, and influence on modern Christianity.

Obscure trivia provides eye-opening perspective into this prominent yet polarizing pastor. The insights revealed here exceed the surface-level narrative and mythos surrounding this legendary Bishop of Bling.