Gateway Church Founder Resigns Amidst Sexual Abuse Allegations

Gateway Church‘s founding pastor, Robert Morris, has stepped down following accusations of sexual abuse from a woman named Cindy Clemishire dating back to the 1980s.

In a statement released by the Board of Elders at Gateway Church, they confirmed Morris’s resignation on Tuesday and expressed their shock at the revelations.

The allegations were initially brought to light on the religious watchdog blog Wartburg Watch and later covered in the Dallas Morning News.

Clemishire claimed that Morris had abused her multiple times between 1982 and 1987 in locations spanning Oklahoma and Texas, starting when she was only 12 years old.

Following the public disclosure of these allegations, Morris’s name was removed from the church’s website listing its leadership, with his son James now occupying the role of senior leader.

Morris founded Gateway Church in 2000, establishing it as a prominent «Bible-based, evangelistic, spirit-empowered church» with multiple locations in North Texas, including Southlake, Fort Worth, Plano, and Grand Prairie.

He also served as an executive board member for Donald Trump‘s faith advisory group during his presidency, providing counsel on matters of importance to Evangelicals and people of faith across America.

Local politicians, such as former Southlake Mayor John Huffman and Texas Representative Giovanni Capriglione, have condemned Morris’s actions and called for accountability.

The Board of Elders at Gateway Church has engaged the services of the law firm Haynes and Boone, LLP to conduct a thorough investigation into the sexual abuse allegations.

In response to these developments, Capriglione emphasized the importance of addressing such misconduct and ensuring that leaders, particularly pastors, are held to the highest standards of moral conduct.

If you or someone you know has been impacted by sexual violence, support is available 24/7 through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE.