Eddie Long funeral news: New Birth Missionary Baptist Church announces Jan. 25 service for late bishop

(Facebook/NewBirthMBC1)New Birth Missionary Baptist Church is holding a Night of Prayer and Praise on Jan. 18 for Eddie Long and his family.

It has been a hard couple of days for the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Georgia. Long-serving bishop Eddie Long passed away on Sunday, Jan. 15, and his funeral service will be held on Jan. 25.

According to AJC, New Birth will be holding the service on Wednesday, Jan. 25, at 11 a.m. Elder Craig Heath revealed the news during an international prayer call. Further details will be included in an email that will be sent to church members. On Sunday, New Birth shocked everyone when Long's passing was announced. 

"Bishop Long, Senior Pastor of New Birth, transitioned from this life early Sunday morning after a gallant private fight with an aggressive form of cancer," the church's statement reads.

Long had been battling with the illness in secret for a while and even failed to show up for numerous services in recent months. He was, however, in attendance during the services held on Christmas and New Year's Eve. The Watch Night Services turned out to be his last sermon.

But the bishop was no stranger to scandal and controversy, having been accused of sexually abusing five boys and misusing the church's funds. Long, a prominent televangelist, was also greatly opposed to gay marriage.

However, Long also had backing support from a number of friends and believers. A lot of people from his congregation wept when news of his death was announced.

"He would talk with you and laugh with you, without a collar on he was a human being first," Long's friend, Dr. Collette Gunby of Green Pastures Christian Ministries, told WSB-TV Channel 2

"His legacy will live on. He did a lot of good and we won't let that fade," Lela Brooks a long-time member of New Birth said. "I've been a member here for 34 years and it's just devastating," Keith Crowley, another member, said. "It's sad for the world."

New Birth announced that a special Night of Prayer and Praise will also be held on Wednesday, Jan. 18, for Long and his family.

Copyright © 2016 Ecumenical News