According to New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, Bishop Eddie L. Long has died at the age of 63.
The church says that he “is now spiritually healed and home with the Lord.”
The statement went on to say, “Bishop Long, Senior Pastor of New Birth, transitioned from this life early Sunday morning after a gallant private fight with an aggressive form of cancer.”
Those in the know say that Long had maintained his commitment to God and had said that the cancer would not kill his faith or his spirit.
Many had speculated about his health after a video he published last month showed him looking thin and frail. He had not disclosed his illness previously.
While Long had missed multiple services over the last few months, he was at the Church for the Christmas and New Year’s Eve services.
His wife of 27 years, First Lady Elder Vanessa Long, said, “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.”