Georgia Mega-Church Pastor Back in Pulpit after Leave of Absence

Deseret News
January 15, 2012

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700215164/Georgia-mega-church-pastor-back-in-pulpit-after-leave-of-absence.html

FILE - In this Sept. 26, 2010 file pool photo, Bishop Eddie Long walks to the pulpit with his wife, Vanessa Long, at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta. After more than 20 years of marriage, Vanessa Bishop filed for divorce from Bishop Long, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011.

LITHONIA, Ga. — Beleaguered mega-church pastor Eddie Long is back in the pulpit after a leave of absence to deal with his divorce and other personal issues.

Long's spokesman, Art Franklin, said Tuesday that the senior pastor at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church returned to preaching at a New Year's Eve service. Franklin said Long will attend weekly services at the suburban Atlanta church.

In September 2010, Long was accused of sexual misconduct by former church members. He settled out of court eight months later for an undisclosed amount.

His wife, Vanessa, filed for divorce in December.