Thousands Attend Funeral For Bishop Eddie Long: UPDATED

LITHONIA, GA — New Birth Missionary Baptist Church is in the midst of a two-day funeral service for its longtime pastor, Bishop Eddie Long, in Lithonia.

The "Celebration of Life for Bishop Eddie Long — The Apostle" begins Tuesday with Long's body lying in state in the New Birth cathedral sanctuary from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., the church announced.

More viewing of the body will take place Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

New Birth has provided a live link to the funeral procession.

In a message Wednesday, New Birth said, "We solicit your continued prayers today ... Please cover our 1st Lady Elder Vanessa Long, the entire Long family and New Birth as we celebrate the Life of Bishop Eddie Long."

Those present at the memorial service included Georgia luminaries such as former Gov. Roy Barnes and football great Deion Sanders, who spoke at length about his "dear friend."

The church shared pictures Monday on Facebook of its choir preparing for memorial services.

Long, senior pastor of New Birth, died Jan. 15 at the age of 63 after a fight with an aggressive form of cancer.

Read more: Bishop Eddie Long dead at 63

Image via Facebook / New Birth