New Birth Names New Pastor Following Eddie Long's Death

LITHONIA, GA -- New Birth Baptist Missionary Church in Lithonia is moving on after the death earlier this month of its longtime pastor, Bishop Eddie Long.

The Rev. Stephen A. Davis will take over as lead pastor at the church. Long's widow Vanessa Long delivered the news to the nearly 25,000-member congregation Sunday.

"I want you to know that (Bishop Eddie Long) did plan for us. Bishop Long put together a succession plan back on November 12, 2013, he documented who he wanted to succeed him," she said to applause.

"Let me tell you about his successor: He has his heart in every way. He is a son of our bishop. He has been faithful to Bishop throughout his ministry," she said to roars from the crowd.

Davis has been in the church's family for a number of years, serving as senior pastor of New Birth Birmingham in Birmingham, Alabama and presiding over its campus in Tuscaloosa.

“My wife, Darlene and I, are blessed beyond measure and thoroughly thrilled to serve New Birth Lithonia, building on the foundation that Bishop Eddie L. Long established for this amazing ministry.” Davis said in a news release, according to WGCL. “We look forward to advancing the Kingdom of God, transforming more unsaved into believers for Christ, continuing to bridge the gap in the communities that New Birth serves and elevating New Birth to new heights.”

Read more: Thousands attend funeral services for Bishop Eddie Long

Bishop Eddie Long died Jan. 15, after a battle with cancer. He was 63.

Vanessa Long vowed to the congregation that she will back Davis.

"I want you to know he has my full support, my family's full support and the board has confidence in him and I know that you will as well," she said.

Image via New Birth