Atlanta ( CNN ) -- Bishop Eddie Long , head of one of the nation 's largest mega churches , announced Sunday he will take `` time off '' from the pulpit to work on his family . The announcement came three days after his wife Vanessa filed for divorce . Although her husband 's church issued a statement Friday , attributed to Vanessa Long , saying she was withdrawing the divorce petition , her attorney said she was proceeding with it . Last spring , Long , head of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church , settled a lawsuit filed by four young men who accused him of pressuring them into sexual relationships while they were teenagers and members of the congregation . He denied the allegations against him . `` I 'm going to take a little time off to work with my family , '' Long said Sunday to a packed house at the televised service . `` I do want you to know that this is , for me and my family , especially with me , one of the most difficult times and things I 've had to face , and only because my strength , other than God , is in Miss Vanessa , '' he said to huge applause . `` And I want you to rest assured that I love her and she loves me . ... In all the things that I 've ever had to deal with and being pastor , my rock has been to be able to come home to a virtuous woman who always had peace in my house , '' he said . `` We 're going ( to ) work it out , '' he said . He insisted that the two of them are not fighting , and that they are not mad at each other . Long said the situation is `` not because of allegations '' of sexual relationships last year and instead blamed the pressures of being a pastor 's wife . `` It 's been very difficult to her , some of the things that she 's had to endure , '' he said . The church issued a statement emphasizing that Long is not stepping down , and `` will continue to be the senior pastor of New Birth . '' Eddie Long 's wife files for divorce . Her attorney 's statement Thursday said Vanessa Long `` continues to hope that this matter may be resolved expeditiously , harmoniously and fairly . '' Her divorce documents say the Longs are `` living in a bona fide state of separation . '' The 12-page petition adds that Vanessa Long `` is entitled to a divorce upon grounds that the marriage between the parties is irretrievably broken , there being no hope of reconciliation of the parties , and it being in the best interest of all parties concerned that this marriage be terminated by divorce . '' The statement attributed to her that was issued by the church had said , `` Upon prayerful reflection , I have reconsidered and plan to withdraw my petition for divorce from my husband , Bishop Eddie L. Long . I love my husband . '' `` I believe in him and admire his strength , and courage , '' that statement attributed to her said , adding , `` My filing followed years of attacks in the media that frustrated and overwhelmed me . I love my family and church family , New Birth Missionary Baptist Church . Therefore , my husband and I have mutually agreed to find healing from these attacks . We ask that you respect our privacy during this time . '' In announcing that she was still seeking divorce , her attorney Michael W. Tyler said , `` To avoid any undue confusion , Mrs. Long 's future statements , if any , will be issued through her attorneys only . At this time , neither she nor we will have any further comment on this matter . '' Two Eddie Long accusers break silence . The lawsuit filed against Eddie Long by the four young men alleged that he used `` monetary funds from the accounts of New Birth and other corporate and non-profit corporate accounts to entice the young men with cars , clothes , jewelry , and electronics . '' Long has preached passionately against homosexuality for years . In an August interview , two of Long 's accusers said they were haunted by what happened between them and the powerful pastor and added they are writing a tell-all book about their experiences . Church member talks about reals estate lawsuit against Long . `` It 's just not enough anymore . I thought I could cover the pain up . I thought I could move , start over and everything will go away . I was terribly wrong , '' Jamal Parris , one of the accusers , told CNN affiliate WSB . Parris pointed to a `` JL '' tattoo on his arm , which he said stands for `` Jamal Long . '' He said Long was with him when he got the tattoo . He said that he grew up without a father and that Long preyed on that vulnerability . `` To have a man love me for just who I was . I just had to be me and love him back , '' Parris said . CNN 's Mia Aquino contributed to this story .
NEW : Church insisted Long is not stepping down . Eddie Long blames the pressures Vanessa has faced as pastor 's wife . Vanessa Long said she is proceeding with divorce , despite a church statement that she was withdrawing it . Long settled a lawsuit by young men who said he pressured them into sexual relationships .