His wife, Vanessa Long said this: "Although his transition leaves a void for those of us who loved him dearly, we can celebrate and be happy for him, knowing he's at peace".

Over recent months, Long had been in the news repeatedly for his drastic weight loss, and it was confirmed that he was battling an undisclosed "health challenge". He publicly announced last September that he was facing the "health challenge" after he could no longer say that his fast disappearing figure was due to a raw vegan diet.

Since his announcement, his illness has resulted in prolonged absences from his ministry for more than a month (at one point), and he told his congregation just weeks before the New Year's Eve service that the church would start holding just one service. In that same service, Long told inquiring members of his congregation that he stopped answering their calls because they were asking too many questions. If they wanted to help him, he said, just keep coming to church and bring a friend.

Long is survived by his wife, four children and three grandchildren. The church also stated that it would announce details of a home-going service to honor Bishop Long in the near future. His death comes at a sensitive time. It was just a few weeks ago Kim Burrell called Eddie Long out over controversial news that has surrounded him and his alleged battle with homosexuality.

Prayers have been extended to Bishop Longs family from many high profile figures.

Sending prayers and condolences to the family of #BishopEddieLong... https://t.co/B53lYzz5wL

Rickey Smiley (@RickeySmiley) January 15, 2017

 

There are MANY reasons to be critical of Eddie Long. But I hope we don't use his death as an occasion to invoke dangerous theology.

Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) January 15, 2017

 

My heart is heavy, but God is in control. See you in the rapture Bishop Eddie Long. It was my honor to serve New Birth for 12 years.

Byron Cage (@RealByronCage) January 15, 2017

Bishop Long died from an aggressive form of cancer at the age of 63 on Sunday 15th January. New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, which is one of the USA's largest megachurches and has boasted about 25,000 members at its peak, has said, "Bishop Long was known as one of the most influential faith leaders in the world. He stood strong as a Kingdom Builder, pioneering leader, and revolutionary mind changer".