Eddie Long
After losing his job as a sales representative for Ford Motor Corporation, Eddie Long would move to Atlanta, where he studied theology and became a pastor at a small Georgia Church. In 1987, he would take over the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, helping membership grow from 300 to over 25,000 in a few years.
Long’s success, however, did not come without controversy. His finances was once investigated by the senate, and he also made headlines after being accused of having inappropriate relationships with underage males.
Long managed to settle the many issues that plagued him outside the court, and he would continue to serve as the Senior Pastor of Georgia’s New Birth megachurch until his death in January 15, 2017.