In a world where young people face increasing emotional, spiritual, and societal challenges daily, Harold E. Long is a beacon of guidance. He uses his faith-based approach to reach and mentor youth with compassion, wisdom, and authenticity. As a pastor, author, mental health coach, and recovery advocate, Long has prioritized investing in the next generation, empowering them to discover their identity, resilience, and purpose through a personal relationship with God.
Harold E. Long’s own early life prepared him uniquely for this mission. Born in Nevada, Missouri, on July 20, 1965, and later raised in Arnold and Kirksville, Long experienced a turbulent adolescence. At just 15, he left home and school, navigating life independently and working various jobs to survive. These formative experiences gave him insight into the struggles young people often endure: feelings of abandonment, identity loss, and a search for belonging.
Instead of being defeated by his hardships, Long used them as fuel for transformation. Over time, he pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor of Professional Studies, an MBA from Missouri Baptist University, and later a Master of Divinity from Eden Theological Seminary. He is currently completing a Doctor of Ministry. These achievements reflect his resilience and the transformative power of faith, an idea he passes on to every young person he mentors.
Long’s approach to working with youth is deeply relational and rooted in authenticity. He does not preach from a distance but walks alongside young individuals, sharing his story of brokenness and redemption. By being open about his battles with alcoholism, recovery, and early life struggles, he creates a safe space where young people feel seen, heard, and understood.
His pastoral leadership at churches such as Mt. Olivet UMC, LifeSong UMC, and Hillsboro UMC included dynamic youth outreach initiatives. These programs went beyond traditional sermons, incorporating mentorship, recovery discussions, and real-life applications of scripture. Through engaging formats like workshops, devotionals, and community events, Long encouraged youth to ask questions, explore their beliefs, and develop a personal connection with Christ.
Central to Long’s method is the belief in holistic development, nurturing young individuals’ spiritual, mental, and emotional well-being. As a mental health coach and recovery advocate, he recognizes the importance of addressing anxiety, depression, peer pressure, and substance use head-on. His faith-based mental health coaching integrates prayer, scripture, and psychological principles, offering young people tools to navigate life’s challenges with faith and clarity.
In addition, Long has championed recovery housing and community programs that include youth participation. These initiatives provide practical resources and instill a sense of mission and responsibility in the younger generation. His leadership in securing funding and grants has ensured these services are accessible to those in need, especially those from underserved communities.
Through the founding of Transformation Church, set to launch in Eureka, Missouri, in 2025, Long is creating a new platform for engaging youth in meaningful faith-based discussions. Preparatory meetings in House Springs emphasize youth involvement, community worship, and spiritual growth as central pillars of this new ministry.
One of Long’s most impactful contributions to youth and faith is his consistent message: Faith is not about perfection but about direction. He teaches that young people don’t have to have all the answers to begin their spiritual journey. Instead, he equips them to lean into God’s grace, build resilience, and become leaders within their own circles, whether at school, work, or home.
Harold E. Long’s approach to youth is not limited to mentorship; it’s a movement. A movement rooted in compassion, forged through experience, and powered by faith. His ability to connect with young individuals and lead them toward spiritual and emotional transformation continues to leave a lasting legacy in churches, schools, and communities.