Bishop Eddie Long has responded to the departure of Bernice King from his New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, saying he is in “full support” of King’s decision to leave the congregation and pursue a new calling from God.
King, the youngest daughter of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King., Jr., announced that she would no longer be a member or serve as an elder at the Atlanta megachurch. After eight years of sharing the New Birth pulpit with Long, King said she felt God was calling her to launch a new ministry and pursue a “pastoral calling.”
“Reverend Bernice King has made tremendous and profound contributions to New Birth as an Elder and faithful servant of our Lord Jesus Christ,” said Bishop Eddie Long in a statement.
“For some time now, Reverend King and I have been in discussion and prayer about the call of God on her life to continue the legacy of her father and mother, the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Coretta Scott King,” he continued.
“This is a compelling mandate that places Reverend King squarely in the center of God’s Will for her life and I am in full support of her decision to leave New Birth in pursuit of this worthy endeavor.”
King’s last day at New Birth was on Sunday, the same day that Long preached his first sermon since lawsuits against him were settled. Four young men launched suits last fall alleging the pastor of sexual misconduct. Media speculation arose as to whether King’s departure was related to the case since her decision to leave New Birth Became public just two days after a settlement had been reached in the Long case.
