Gateway Church Founder Indicted on Child Abuse Charges After Decades of Allegations

SOUTHLAKE, Texas — Robert Preston Morris, founder of Gateway Church, has been indicted on five counts of lewd or indecent acts to a child by a multi-county grand jury in Oklahoma, the state Attorney General’s office announced Wednesday. The charges stem from allegations made by Cindy Clemishire, who claims Morris sexually abused her from the ages of 12 to 17, beginning in 1982.

Morris, 63, was the senior pastor of Gateway Church until his resignation on June 18, 2024, shortly after the accusations came to light. The Oklahoma Attorney General, Gentner Drummond, said the statute of limitations does not apply in this case because Morris has never been a resident of Oklahoma.

“After almost 43 years, the law has finally caught up with Robert Morris for the horrific crimes he committed against me as a child,” Clemishire said in a statement. “My family and I are deeply grateful to the authorities who have worked tirelessly to make this day possible.”

Willbanks, chair of Gateway’s elder board, stated the church is aware of the indictment and is cooperating fully. “We are grateful for the work of the justice system in holding abusers accountable for their actions,” he said. “We continue to pray for Cindy Clemishire and her family, the members and staff of Gateway Church, and all those impacted by this situation.”

Despite multiple attempts, Morris has not responded to inquiries from The Dallas Morning News seeking comment on the allegations and the indictment. Following the public revelation of the abuse allegations, Gateway Church retained the law firm Haynes Boone to conduct an independent investigation.

A report from the investigation indicated that several church elders had prior knowledge of the allegations against Morris before they became public. Willbanks acknowledged at a November service that a “failure of culture” allowed Morris’s power to overshadow accountability within the church.

Clemishire recalls the alleged abuse starting on Christmas Day in 1982 when she was just 12 years old. “It went on for many years. He says there was no sexual intercourse, but he did touch every part of my body,” she stated, emphasizing the severity of her experience, which she claims has taken decades to fully process.

At the time of the alleged abuse, Morris was a traveling preacher who had established a friendship with Clemishire’s family. Morris has previously acknowledged to being involved in “inappropriate sexual behavior” with a young woman but has denied the extent of Clemishire’s allegations.

Clemishire, 54, expressed hope that this legal action would lead to justice. “Now, it is time for the legal system to hold him accountable,” she added, reflecting on a painful history that has followed her throughout her adult life.

Morris’s resignation has had significant consequences for Gateway Church, which has seen a drastic decline in attendance. Reports indicate a loss of about 35% of its congregation since the allegations surfaced, prompting the church to reevaluate its leadership structure and policies surrounding child safety.

In the wake of these events, Gateway’s leadership announced the removal of several board members who were believed to have known details about the allegations against Morris. The church has faced significant scrutiny and criticism for its handling of the situation, and many former employees have spoken about a toxic environment under Morris’s leadership.

As the legal proceedings continue, the focus remains on the accountability of church leadership and the historical context in which these allegations occurred. Citizens await further updates as this case unfolds, hopeful for a pursuit of justice that has eluded the victim for decades.