Controversial Atlanta megachurch Bishop Eddie Long has died

ATLANTA — Bishop Eddie Long, the Georgia-based head of one of the nation's largest megachurches, has died, according to the church Long presided over. He was 63.

New Birth Missionary Baptist Church announced the information stating Long had transitioned from this life early Sunday morning after a gallant private fight with an aggressive form of cancer.

“I am confidant through my belief in God that my husband is now resting in a better place.  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," First Lady Elder Vanessa Long,  Long’s wife of 27 years said.

Long was 63 years old.  He is survived by his wife, 4 children Eric, Edward, Jared and Taylor and 3 grandchildren.

Long disclosed last year that he was recovering from an undisclosed health challenge. Many had speculated he was ill after he posted a video in August that showed him looking very gaunt.

Long had said he was eating a raw vegan diet and giving up on a “slave menu,' trusting “God to deliver me from” from the challenge.

On New Birth’s website, Long is described as:

Bishop Eddie L. Long is known worldwide as a pioneering leader, revolutionary mind changer, a family man, and a caring and loving pastor.  As a pioneering leader, Bishop Long is highly regarded for his vision, boldness, and unapologetic courage to walk in the supernatural. As a pastor, he is well respected and loved for his passion to bring souls into the body of Christ and join them to a local church body, and for preaching and teaching messages that change mindsets and encourage hearts.  At home, he is a doting husband to his beautiful wife, First Lady Vanessa Long and loving father to his 4 children and 3 grandchildren.  At New Birth, Bishop Long is most loved for being the ‘father of many’ – a pastor who loves God, God’s people, and who speaks life and declares, You shall  NOT die but live to proclaim the goodness of the Lord!

Long also spent time as a pastor in Huntersville and in 2011 announced that he would be taking some time off, just days after his wife of 21 years filed for divorce.

Members of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta applauded him after he announced his decision.

“We're not hiding nothing or anything like that,” he said in 2011. “I'm going to take a little time off to work with my family.”

The divorce came more than a year after allegations surfaced that Long used his position of authority to lure four young men into sexual relationships.

One of the men was from Charlotte.

Long settled the cases, but never admitted to any wrongdoing.

Cox Media Group