Bishop Eddie Long loses more weight but vows to return to the pulpit

Bishop Eddie Long joined his congregation on a prayer call earlier this week where he revealed that he has lost more weight. The pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church recently announced that he would be on a "sabbatical" because of an unspecified "health challenge."

The megachurch pastor promised his followers during the prayer call that he will be back on the pulpit next month. He said that he went to the church despite his wife's disapproval. His wife apparently told him to rest but he insisted that his followers need to hear him. He added that he has been away from the church for too long.

"This is the longest kind of sabbatical I have taken from New Birth in almost 30 years," Long said. "It was one much needed. Should have been doing it but I also know how much I miss my congregation and how much they miss me. And just sometimes I get a text saying 'Bishop, I need to hear your voice,'" he added.

Long said that he'll be back by Oct. 1 and that he looked forward to joining his congregation again.

Long revealed that we was at the church on Tuesday to record an inspirational prayer CD for his followers so they will be able to hear him despite his absence.

The pastor posted a video last month showing significant weight loss which led to some speculations about his illness. He said that this was caused by a newly adopted vegan diet and added that he has given up fast food.

Some people believed that Long was ill after seeing the video but a culinary expert said that the weight loss is likely caused by the new diet.

"Usually you do lose weight because it (a raw vegan diet) is cleansing and detoxing," said Nina Curtis, executive chef at The Ranch at Live Oak, Malibu, California.

Long also maintained that his "health challenge" was not related to the vegan diet when he announced his sabbatical last week.