Bishop Eddie L. Long

The pastor of one of America's biggest churches, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in DeKalb County, GA, which boasts well over 25,000 members, Bishop Eddie L. Long also has a recording career of sorts, recognizing that sermonizing to the beat of an urban groove was an effective way to reach a large audience. A native of North Carolina, Long earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from North Carolina Central University, a Master's of Divinity degree from Atlanta's Interdenominational Theological Center, and a doctoral Ph.D. in Pastoral Ministry from the International College of Excellence, an affiliate of Life Christian University in Tampa, FL. Ever media savvy, Long's Taking Authority TV broadcasts have reached a world-wide viewership, and Long and New Birth produced the Emmy-winning The Face of Homelessness in 2004. Long has also brought several audio and video series to the market, as well. He released two albums of inspirational sermonettes and singing with his Total Praise Choir, 2004's Spirit & Truth and 2006's New Beginning, both of which were produced by Kevin Bond. His 2009 album, The Kingdom, Vol. 1, released by Ultimate Entertainment in 2009 and produced by former Def Jam executive James Jones, featured guest spots from Mary Mary, Tye Tribbett, Dorinda Clark-Cole, and the GW's, and was distinctly and deliberately more urban in tone and feel. The first single, "Righteous Forsaken," received a fair amount of airplay.