Gateway Church Selects New Senior Pastor Amid Controversy

SOUTHLAKE, Texas — Gateway Church announced during its Sunday morning service that Daniel Floyd will be the new senior pastor, following months of searching after the church’s prior leader stepped down amid serious allegations.

The Floyds, who previously founded Lifepoint Church in Fredericksburg, Virginia, approximately 20 years ago, will transition to Gateway around August. Lifepoint Church now operates five locations across Virginia.

Gateway Church has been without a senior pastor since June 2024, when Robert Morris resigned after being accused of sexual abuse in Oklahoma. Morris faces charges related to lewd acts against a child and has a preliminary hearing scheduled for September 4.

Floyd interviewed with the church in March and quickly became a standout candidate. He told The Dallas Morning News that until early this year, he had no intention of leaving Lifepoint. “Honestly, in 20 years, I’ve never looked — I’ve just been really content in the calling that we have right now,” he stated.

Tra Willbanks, chair of Gateway’s board of elders, contacted Floyd through a mutual friend in January. Floyd expressed his concerns about the impact on his family and whether he was capable of the new role. “At some point, my wife and I felt like we couldn’t make this up anymore; how much God is directing and guiding this,” Floyd said.

Floyd emphasized that prayer played a significant role in his decision. He begins each day with Bible readings and prayer, asking for guidance before making decisions. He noted feeling compelled by divine signs to lead Gateway Church.

Willbanks acknowledged the challenge ahead, indicating that they needed someone like Floyd, who is aware of the repairs needed in the community. “We needed somebody that understood that for what it was,” he explained.

“I don’t want to coast in my life,” Floyd remarked, noting both the daunting and exciting aspects of the task ahead. The church established a committee of 20 to 30 people to assist in the pastor selection process, ensuring input from various community members.

“Humility was a top priority,” Willbanks said about the qualities they were seeking in Floyd. In a moment of self-reflection, Floyd asked close friends whether he seemed like a celebrity, indicating an awareness of his public persona.

The congregation responded positively to Floyd’s earlier appearance, with recorded greetings shared during the announcement. In a video message, Tammie Floyd said they were “honored and humbled” by the call, emphasizing that this transition wasn’t merely an assignment but a sacred calling. Daniel Floyd mirrored these sentiments, asserting, “With full confidence, we can say that God has called us here.”