The mood at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church this morning was one of cheer and elation as thousands of parishioners gathered to show their devoted support to their bishop, Eddie Long.

Long, currently embroiled in scandal after four young men filed lawsuits against him last week alleging he used his power as their spiritual leader to coerce them into sexual relationships, told the some 8,000 gathered for the 8 a.m. service that he was like David fighting Goliath.

"I feel like David against Goliath, but I got five rocks and I haven’t thrown one yet,” he said after a brief sermon and then walked off the dais. Congregants cheered and stood and applauded Long.

A defiant Bishop Eddie Long took to the pulpit of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church this morning to vow to fight the sexual coercion allegations leveled at him by four young men who attended his church.

Referencing notes from his iPad, Long first rallied his congregation about the "painful and difficult situations" that they all face, listing everything from Hurricane Katrina to car accidents and "loving someone who doesn't love you back."

He did not address the allegations against him until the end of his brief remarks.

"There have been allegations and attacks made on me. I have never in my life portrayed myself as a perfect man, but I am not the man that is being portrayed on the television," Long said to cheers from the congregation. "That is not me."

Long said that he has been advised by his lawyers "not to try this case in the media," but closed with a defiant vow to fight back against his accusers.