Atlanta

LITHONIA, Ga. - A megachurch pastor accused of luring four young men into sexual relationships said Sunday that he won't be pulled into a street fight over the allegations and vowed that his faith has been strengthened.

ATLANTA - A billboard near an Atlanta highway reads, "Love Like Him, Live Like Him, Lead Like Him." The motto refers to Jesus Christ, but the smiling face next to it is that of Bishop Eddie Long.

ATLANTA - One of the young men accusing a megachurch pastor of coercing him into a sexual relationship told a TV interviewer he loved the pastor, but nevertheless called him a "predator." "I loved him and I'm always going to have love for the things he taught us, but how he left us hurt worse than anything I ever felt in my life," Jamal Parris told Atlanta's Fox TV affiliate WAGA in an interview broadcast Tuesday.

LITHONIA, Ga. - Sunday's services at a Georgia megachurch will give its famed pastor the chance to address the congregation for the first time about allegations that he lured young men into sexual relationships with gifts and travel.

The 2006 scandal that ousted one of America's most prominent preachers forced independent charismatic and evangelical churches to consider how to keep a closer eye on their leaders, an issue raised again this week with lawsuits accusing another megachurch pastor of misconduct.