Pastor & Sister Long met at church camp in 1980, and were married in 1981. They immediately began ministry work as they were Youth Pastors at Lawrence Apostolic Church from 1981 until 1993. During that time, they were voted as first, Associate Pastor, and then Assistant Pastor of Lawrence Apostolic, assisting the late Bishop Harold R. Hunt. They worked faithfully with the Bishop until they felt the call of God on their lives to begin a new work in New Palestine, Indiana.

In 1993 the Longs and their 4 children, Amanda, Ashley, Amber, and TJ ventured into a new area of ministry. They labored faithfully in New Palestine until 1996, when they received a call that Pastor Hunt was retiring and the church requested that they return as Senior Pastor. In September of 1996 Pastor and Sister Long returned to Lawrence Apostolic as Senior Pastor. Under their leadership the church has seen physical expansion from just over 8000 square feet to their beautiful new campus of just over 24,000 square feet. The church has a daycare ministry, Christian school, commercial kitchen, and a brand new family life center. TLC has seen consistent growth under their direction and intends by the grace of God to continue to grow and serve the community as a spiritual beacon and safe place for the hurting.