AT2W

Bishop Long’s Church Packed with Members Despite News of Centino Kemp

Bishop Long's New Birth Church on August 14, 2011

This week at Bishop Eddie Long’s New Birth Missionary Baptist Church continues with church members packing in the sanctuary and worshiping a  church and pastor who has used parishioners’ money to fund lavish trips and lifestyles for young men and their Bishop.

On this Sunday, Bishop Eddie Long’s ‘Taking Authority’ broadcast went on as scheduled but without sound for over 30 minutes. All we could see was the lights flickering on and off as a young group of praise team members sing and dance. We are not sure why there was no audio with the broadcast but a message popped up stating, ‘Stay Tuned. This live event is not yet available.’ These were professional words for ‘We are having technical difficulties due to reaping of our pastor’s sexually exposed indiscretions with young boys and men.’

The praise team continued on as the broadcast finally gave way to available audio. With all of the youth singing and dancing on the stage, you’d think it was ‘youth Sunday’ or something similar. But this is Bishop Long’s usual way of embracing the modern an corporate church. He permits the youth to sing as the lights turn on and off like a rock concert. We are not sure how anyone can feel God in that place with a night club atmosphere.

New Birth and Praise Team worhip in the dark

The announcer comes up to give announcements but oddly he’s distracted by his feelings from the magnificent performance from the untalented praise team as the singers could hardly hold a note. He goes on to mention that Bishop Long will be celebrating his 24th year in ministry and he wants the church to give their offering for the Pastoral Anniversary today. Of course, Bishop Long does not want to miss out on his offering as it was announced he is away in Johannesburg, South Africa for a four day conference. Hope he’s taking his wife on this trip and not some young men.

Bishop T.D. Jakes will be attending and speaking at New Birth Missionary Church on the Sunday of August 28th for Bishop Long’s Pastoral Anniversary.

In the absence of Bishop Eddie Long this Sunday, the pastor of New Birth Augusta, Tommy Powell will issue the sermon of the day. Powell who has been a faithful member and follower of Bishop Long for 23 years, says he is standing on holy ground in this church. He explains that the church is standing on holy ground and should not come in with shoes on and bring in any dirt.

Pastor Tommy Powell of New Birth Augusta Preaches

While Pastor Tommy Powell has been by Bishop Long’s side since the beginning at  Long’s old building on Snapfinger Road in nearby Decatur, Ga, he still sees the ‘anointing’ being present in this church. He says that the Lord is here and the church is even stronger after all they have been through. Our sources know Powell has been very close to Long for years. Would he cover up for Bishop Long all of this time, just to honor a friendship?

Pastor Powell refers to 1 Samuel 9, 10 in the bible which is summarized as:

“Saul, the son of Kish, a Benjamite, is a choice and goodly person—He is sent to seek his father’s donkeys—The Lord reveals to Samuel the seer that Saul is to be king—Saul goes to Samuel and is entertained by him. ” [From LDS]

Powell explains in the scripture that this is the occasion that demands that we be turned into another man, woman.

“Some of us have been chasing donkeys for far to long. Some people don’t have any discernment”.

Pastor Powell defends the New Birth founder and his brand by stating “Bishop Long is still a prophet and still a man of God.” He respects him and honors who he is as he reinforces their commitment to Bishop Long.

He brings the sermon to a close as he tells the congregation to “go to Rachel’s tomb, for it is a place of favor and it represents favor for you.”

As many church members place money on the altar for Powell and his great performance, they stand and kneel down in prayer as the cult atmosphere deprives them of the truth one more day.