New Birth Missionary names successor to Bishop Eddie Long

New Birth Missionary Baptist Church has named Pastor Stephen A. Davis as the new pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Georgia, effective immediately. He is replacing the late Bishop Eddie Long, who died Jan. 15. First Lady Elder Vanessa Long, Bishop Long’s wife, made the announcement at the church’s Sunday-morning services.

Davis is the senior pastor, president and board chairman of New Birth Birmingham, in Birmingham, Alabama. He reportedly intends to continue leading New Birth Birmingham.

In 2013, Long and New Birth’s board of directors reportedly created a succession plan, which named Davis as Long’s replacement. According to 11Alive, Davis has had ties to Long for over a decade.

Davis said, “My wife, Darlene and I, are blessed beyond measure and thoroughly thrilled to serve New Birth Lithonia, building on the foundation that Bishop Long established for this amazing ministry.”