Tamaki's mentor denies sex claim

Brian Tamaki. File photo / Martin Sykes

An American megachurch pastor cited as Bishop Brian Tamaki's "spiritual father" travelled to New Zealand with four young men he is accused of molesting, their lawyer has claimed.

Bishop Eddie Long, of New Birth Missionary Church in Atlanta, yesterday said the "claims of sexual misconduct are not true", in a court filing in response to the allegations.

He has for weeks vowed to fight the lawsuits in court, and promised in church sermons he would not let the legal troubles prevent him from doing his church work.

In October 2003, Bishop Long and his wife Vanessa travelled to New Zealand after Destiny Church leader Bishop Brian Tamaki invited him to speak to church members here.

Bishop Tamaki referred to Bishop Long as his "spiritual father" in his book Bishop Brian Tamaki - More Than Meets The Eye.

The men, who were 17 and 18 at the time of the alleged incidents, say Long abused his spiritual authority to lure them into trysts with cars, jewellery and cash.

Their lawyer, B. J. Bernstein, said she did not have much physical evidence backing up the complaints but she planned to obtain records from Long through subpoena that would show he travelled with the young men to New Zealand and elsewhere.

Over four separate court filings, Bishop Long said that he often encouraged his New Birth Missionary Church members to call him "daddy" and that some even called him "grandaddy," but that the term was a sign of respect.

The bishop also said in the documents that he has frequently shared rooms with some of his church members and that his parishioners often hug him.

And while he admitted to giving the plaintiffs gifts, he said he often provided many members of his church with financial assistance.

Long became one of the nation's most powerful church leaders over the past two decades, transforming a suburban Atlanta congregation of 150 into a powerhouse of 25,000 members that includes high-profile athletes, entertainers and politicians.

- AP, staff reporter