Meet the Staff
Elder Melvin Green
Assistant Director of Facilities:Melvin Green is married with four children. Minister Green has been a member of New Birth for 13 years and has served on staff in various capacities, his latest being Senior Director of Outreach. His duties include overseeing the Prayer Ministry, Prison Ministry, Evangelism Ministry, Athletics Ministry & Missions Ministry. Additionally, he has responsibilities in our Facilities Department. Melvin Green has a degree in Heating & Air and is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Science Degree in Religion. His hobbies include running, reading and spending time with his family.
Elder Horatious Harris
Chief Development Officer:With a Godly upbringing and strict rearing by his parents, Horatious Harris received his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Electrical Engineering. He later became a successful entrepreneur building a software consulting company. However, his passion was ignited for ministry through his spiritual father Bishop Eddie Long. He was licensed as a minister and ordained as an Elder at New Birth. Currently, as the Chief Development Officer, he has oversight of the following initiatives: The WatchMen, Father’s House, New Birth Church Association, and more.
Elder Harris is married to his lovely wife of 12 years and they have three God-fearing children.
Elder April McLaughlin
Chief Executive Administrator:April McLaughlin has served as the Chief Executive Administrator for the office of the Senior Pastor for 14 years. April is responsible for the day-to-day handling of all administrative needs of Bishop Long. Prior to her employment at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, she worked as a Quality Control Director for American Express. She served 6 years in the United States Army and is a graduate of the University of Tennessee of Chattanooga. She has been married for 15 years to John McLaughlin.
Adolphus Armstrong
Chief Financial Officer:Adolphus Armstrong is the Chief Financial Officer. Adolphus started with New Birth in 2007 as the Church’s controller. Prior to joining the New Birth team, he was an auditor for Grant Thornton, LLP, in Atlanta and Ernest & Young, LLP, in Boston. Mr. Armstrong brings a wide range of industry experience, including working with not-for-profit entities, local governments, financial services clients and employee benefit plans. In 1994, Adolphus received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics-Accounting from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. He enjoys genealogy research in his spare time.
Elder Maurice Waddell
Chief Operating Officer:Maurice Waddell has served as the Chief Operating Officer of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church since January 21, 1999. Maurice is responsible for the day-to-day operations including the New Birth Cathedral, Bishop Eddie L. Long Family Life Center, Samson Health and Fitness Center and other properties owned by the church. Prior to becoming the Chief Operating Officer, he was the Executive Officer for the Social Security Administration (Atlanta Region). During the course of his 25-year career, he held various management positions. Maurice earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from North Carolina Central University. He has been married for more than 33 years to Sylvia (Jones) Waddell, and they are blessed with two children, Ashley and Andre.
Elder Reginald Finley
Director of Fulfillment:Reginald Finley first met Bishop Long in 1994 at a men’s conference in Virginia Beach, VA. In 1997 he completed his 12th year of military service in the United States Navy and immediately moved to Atlanta and joined New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. Reginald serves in various areas of ministry and loves meeting the new members when they come through the orientation class he teaches. His current responsibilities as a staff member include overseeing the contracted phone center, e-commerce store shipping, downloaded media and product development. In his spare time he loves hiking, spending time with his children, and helping friends with their home improvement projects.
Art Franklin
Director of Public Relations:Art Franklin is C.E.O. of Franklin Media Group and oversees the consulting, public relations and media training divisions of the Atlanta-based company. Art’s broadcast journalism career spanned 27 years and earned him more than 100 journalism and community awards, including two coveted Emmy Awards. Most recently, Art was an Anchor/Reporter for WAGA-TV FOX 5 in Atlanta. The University of Michigan graduate is originally from Detroit. Atlanta Tribune: The Magazine named Art a Man of Distinction in its April 2008 issue. He’s also been honored by the 100 Black Men of South Metro Atlanta, The Concerned Black Clergy of Atlanta, The Birmingham Business Journal as one of the Top Forty Under Forty and others.
Johnny Clarkson
Director of Samson's Health & Fitness:A seasoned fitness professional with 10 years of experience, Johnny has an incredible passion for the health and well being of all. As the resident lifestyle coach for UrbanLux Magazine, Atlanta’s 2010 Weight Loss Expert and a columnist with TheExaminer.com, Johnny has transformed thousands of lives. He is a Certified Personal Trainer with The Aerobics and Fitness Association of America. Also, he draws inspiration and technique from serving and training with The United States Army. Johnny’s approach to fitness from a spiritual, mental and physical standpoint keeps his methods fresh, effective and relevant. Johnny has over 7 years of experience in sales and 5 years in fitness management where he has honed his ability to increase revenue, target audiences and effectively build a stronger staff.
Did You Know? Johnny once weighed 286 lbs. before his quest for a better life. He managed to lose almost 100 lbs. in 3 months. This is a true example of his determination and intolerance of failure.
Elder Patricia Riley
Inernational Missions:Dr. Patricia Riley has a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Christian Education Administration from Life Christian University. She is an ordained minister at New Birth.
In September 2008, she established New Birth Liberia, a Computer and Professionalism Empowerment Center in Monrovia, West Africa.
Her corporate work history consists of 16 years as an Instructional Designer, Corporate Trainer, Customer Service Supervisor, and a Sales & Service Specialist.
Elder Roberto Woods
Senior Director of Communications and Events:As Senior Director of Communications and Events, Roberto Woods leads a team that is responsible for communicating vital ministry information both internally and externally. Woods oversees a department that provides planning, troubleshooting and logistic direction for New Birth’s domestic and international conferences and events.
Roberto also is charged with contract negotiations, large group management, writing and editing. Woods supports Bishop Long and his Executive Office in ensuring the coordination of all events, conferences and communication projects.
Factoid: Roberto enjoys cooking and entertaining family and friends at his home.
Jean Lamour
Senior Director of Facilities:Jean-Raymond Lamour is the Senior Director of Facilities and has been a member of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church family since 2006. He is responsible for managing day-to-day facility operations, which include: building maintenance, housekeeping, HVAC, landscaping and grounds, transportation and vendor management. Jean-Raymond is a graduate of the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor degree in English with Business concentration. He enjoys spending time with his wife and three children. He also serves as a member of the Transportation Ministry at New Birth. Jean–Raymond is currently perusing his designation in Facilities Management Administration.
Deacon Michael Hughes
Senior Director of Finance:Michael Hughes serves as the Senior Director of Finance; he is responsible for the overall management of assets, budgetary planning, expenditure control, revenue and operating costs. Michael holds a Bachelor degree in Accounting from Paine College. Michael has been married for 18 years and has three children. He enjoys traveling and spending time with his family and coaching his 501(c)(3) nonprofit football team, the P.A.S.S. Mustangs.
Elder Mary Hill
Senior Director of Human Resources:Mary Hill, Senior Director of Human Resources and a native Ohioan, joined the staff in 1996 after enjoying a long career with Urban Retail Properties Company as Human Resources Director and Temporary Tenant Coordinator. Mary founded and currently oversees the Human Resources department team who support New Birth Atlanta, New Birth Christian Academy and all New Birth Church Associations. Some area responsibilities include recruitment and hiring, benefits administration, payroll, employee development and training, performance evaluation and labor relations.
Having recently joined the empty nester’s club, she plans to further her studies in the field of Christian counseling and leadership development. Mary loves relaxing with her family and friends. She enjoys traveling, the arts and reading.
Elder Vicki Lister
Senior Director of Membership Development:Vicki Lister, Senior Director of Membership Development, provides leadership to our First Impression (visitors) and Member Connection teams (new members), Discipleship, Volunteer Connection, Education and Employment Resources. Prior to New Birth she has been employed with major corporations as regional director, district operations director, and as a communication trainer and specialist. Vicki has served in ministry leadership over 25 years in roles such as ministry of helps and new member’s director, evangelism director, and administrator liaison. She holds a Bachelors of Arts degree in Communication and a Masters of Arts in Theology. Her witty sense of humor and transparency brings a delight in the classroom and to everyday living.
Factoid: Vicki enjoys time laughing with her three children, two grand’s and her precious friends, even from kindergarten.
Elder Wallace Prude
Senior Director of Pastoral Services:Wallace Prude is the Senior Director of Pastoral Services, where he provides leadership to Visitation and Bereavement Ministry, Stewardship Ministry, Health Ministry, Deaf Ministry, and Empowerment Ministry (Benevolence). Wallace holds a Bachelor degree in Technology from the University of West Alabama and a Master of Divinity from the Interdenominational Theological Center specializing in Pastoral Care and Counseling. He is also a Georgia Law Enforcement Chaplain. Wallace has been married for 14 years and has two children. He enjoys spending time with his family, martial arts, reading and teaching, dirt bike riding, traveling and staying abreast of the latest technology.
Jaffa Breedlove
Senior Director of Television:Jaffa Breedlove is a seasoned veteran of professional television broadcasting with some 28 years experience in videography, editing, producing and directing. A natural storyteller, he started his career in 1980 and has won more than 70 awards, including 4 Emmys as part of the NBC Affiliate WXIA (Atlanta) News staff.
In 1996, Jaffa ended his career at WXIA, and God promoted him to serve under Bishop Eddie L. Long at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church.
Under the leadership of Bishop Long, Jaffa has helped New Birth earn 30 awards, including the highly acclaimed New York Film Festival Award. The highly rated Taking Authority broadcast airs in 173 countries.
