Georgia Pastor Vows To Fight Sex Allegations

Prominent megachurch pastor Eddie Long vowed Sunday to fight accusations that he had sex with four young male church members.

But he stopped short of denying the allegations, saying he was following his lawyer's advice to avoid commenting directly on the charges.

"I want you to know that I am not a perfect man, but this thing I intend to fight," Long declared to a supportive congregation in a televised service at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in the Atlanta suburb of Lithonia, Ga.

Long pledged in three separate events Sunday to fight the charges — speaking twice in church services and once in a statement to reporters. The first service and his statement were broadcast on television. The second service was on the church's website.
 

Long avoided talking about the charges. "I want this to be dealt with in a court of justice, not by public opinion," he said. He gave no indication that he planned to step down and promised to be back in the pulpit next week.

Church members greeted Long with standing ovations Sunday. Many voiced their support after the services.

"It was amazing," member Anne Wilkerson said. "It just brought chills over my body. He made it clear that this thing is not him."

"I think he made his members feel comfortable by saying that isn't who he is," member Juan Davis said. "It's not who any of us believe he is, but he's not perfect."

Long is one of the nation's best-known black ministers, heading a 25,000-member church that includes politicians, entertainers and pro athletes. He led a march against gay marriage in 2004 and his church counsels gay men and lesbians to become heterosexual.

This year, Long opened a new $50 million cathedral, including a 10,000-seat sanctuary, on a 240-acre campus.

On Sunday, Long was preceded to the pulpit by Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr. It was his first public appearance since the four men filed lawsuits last week in state court accusing him of coercing them into sex when they were 17 and 18 years old. The men, now 20 to 23, say Long seduced them with trips, money, cars and other gifts.

Long doesn't face criminal charges because the men say they were older than 16 — the age of consent in Georgia — when the sexual acts allegedly occurred.

Long, 57, is married and has four children. His wife, Vanessa, stood by his side Sunday. Long said all people go through painful situations.

"I feel like David against Goliath, but I've got five rocks and I haven't thrown one yet," he said before turning and leaving the pulpit.