Harold E. Long: Mastering Diverse Skills to Maximize the Power of Faith in Society

Harold E. Long is a multifaceted leader whose life exemplifies resilience, faith, and purpose. Born on July 20, 1965, in Nevada, Missouri, Long has navigated a journey filled with hardship, education, entrepreneurship, and ministry, ultimately becoming a beacon of hope and empowerment rooted in faith. His diverse skill set spanning business acumen and pastoral care has allowed him to harness the power of faith into transformative action within various communities.
Long experienced instability during his early years. By age fifteen, he left home and school, living independently and working various jobs to survive. This challenging time built the grit and self-reliance that later fueled his educational and ministerial pursuits. Long overcame early obstacles and earned a Bachelor of Professional Studies and an MBA from Missouri Baptist University. He also completed a Master of Divinity at Eden Theological Seminary. He actively pursues a Doctor of Ministry at Andersonville Theological Seminary, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to intellectual and spiritual growth.
One of Long’s most notable strengths is his ability to connect the secular and spiritual worlds. Before fully dedicating himself to ministry, he enjoyed a successful insurance and financial services career. Inspired by his mother, Patricia Ann Long, a trailblazer in insurance sales at AAA Missouri, he carved out a thriving entrepreneurial path for himself. Long founded and operated his own AAA Entrepreneur Agency and later established HALO Insurance & Benefits Group. Throughout his years of leadership in business, he earned seven professional designations, demonstrating his expertise in navigating intricate industries while maintaining a steadfast commitment to integrity and service.
Long’s background in business complements his ministry remarkably well. It has equipped him with essential leadership, strategic planning, and communication skills tools he has adeptly applied to his pastoral mission. His transition into full-time ministry in 2016 marked not a departure from leadership but a transformation. As a Senior Teaching Pastor at Mt. Olivet UMC, LifeSong UMC, Hillsboro UMC, and now at Transformation UMC, Long has guided congregations with theological insight and organizational proficiency.
At the core of Long’s mission is a profound dedication to holistic recovery and spiritual renewal. Since 1987, he has advocated for alcoholism and addiction recovery, mentoring individuals and addressing global audiences. His faith-informed approach delves deeper, tackling root causes and promoting spiritual transformation. His new book, The Big Delusion: Shattering the Delusions of Alcoholism and Addiction, is already a best seller and is quickly becoming a cornerstone in the realm of faith-based recovery literature.
In addition to his recovery efforts, Long has been actively involved in the corrections ministry since 1993. By volunteering with the Missouri Department of Corrections, he offers spiritual mentorship to incarcerated individuals, particularly within maximum and high-security facilities. His consistent presence in prisons underscores his belief in the power of redemption and faith, irrespective of a person’s past.
Beyond individual recovery, Long has employed his skills to drive systemic change. He leads community initiatives encompassing recovery housing, mental health awareness, outreach for youth and adults, and advocacy for inclusive, faith-based support networks. His proficiency in grant writing and securing funding is crucial, enabling him to expand services and reach more people in need.
Long’s leadership is continuously evolving. He is currently planting Transformation Church in Eureka, Missouri, with a launch planned for summer 2025. This new church embodies his vision for a faith community that welcomes brokenness while promoting healing, unity, and outreach.
Throughout every phase of his journey from business to ministry, mentorship to authorship Harold E. Long has effectively utilized diverse skills to enhance the transformative power of faith. Whether he is guiding an individual through recovery or leading a congregation toward spiritual growth, Long exemplifies that faith, combined with action and a wide-ranging expertise, can profoundly impact society.