Megachurch Pastor Scandal: Shocking Accusations Shake Faith Community

Robert Morris, founder of Gateway Church in Texas, will surrender to Oklahoma authorities to face five felony counts related to alleged child sexual abuse spanning years in the 1980s, potentially carrying up to 100 years in prison.

Quick Takes

Gateway Church founder Robert Morris, 63, faces five felony counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child from alleged abuse in the 1980s
Accuser Cindy Clemishire claims abuse began when she was 12 and continued until she was 14
Morris previously admitted to “inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady” but will plead not guilty
The pastor has resigned from his leadership position at Gateway Church, one of America’s largest megachurches
Each charge carries a potential 20-year prison sentence, with the judge setting a $50,000 bond and ordering Morris to surrender his passport

Decades-Old Allegations Lead to Multiple Felony Charges

Robert Preston Morris, the 63-year-old founder and former senior pastor of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, faces serious legal consequences after being indicted on five felony counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child. The charges stem from allegations by Cindy Clemishire, now 55, who claims Morris sexually abused her starting in 1982 when she was just 12 years old. According to court documents, the abuse allegedly began when Morris stayed at Clemishire’s family home in Oklahoma and continued for approximately four years while Morris worked as a traveling evangelist.

Morris’s attorney, Mack Martin, has indicated that his client will enter a not guilty plea when he surrenders to Oklahoma authorities. An Osage County judge has set bond at $50,000 and ordered Morris to surrender his passport. The case has sent shockwaves through the evangelical community, as Gateway Church grew to become one of the largest churches in the United States under Morris’s leadership, with multiple campuses and tens of thousands of weekly attendees.

Victim Speaks Out After Four Decades

Clemishire, who has chosen to be publicly identified in connection with the case, expressed both relief and determination that her alleged abuser might finally face justice. The indictment comes after decades of silence regarding the alleged abuse, which Clemishire claims involved inappropriate touching when she was between 12 and 14 years old. The statute of limitations for these types of crimes does not apply in Oklahoma when victims come forward years after childhood abuse.

In a statement, Clemishire said, “After almost 43 years, the law has finally caught up with Robert Morris for the horrific crimes he committed against me as a child. Now, it is time for the legal system to hold him accountable.”

The accuser has further stated that she and her family are “deeply grateful to the authorities who have worked tirelessly to make this day possible” and remain hopeful that justice will ultimately prevail. Her willingness to come forward publicly has drawn attention to the challenges victims face when accusing powerful religious figures of wrongdoing, particularly when the alleged incidents occurred decades earlier.

NEW: Robert Morris resigned as pastor of Gateway Church, — a megachurch attended by 100,00 in Dallas, Texas — after allegations of child sex abuse of a 12-year-old girl in the 80s.

Daystar Television announced they are removing all of Morris' content and he's been removed from… pic.twitter.com/kq6LUiHqWo

— Caleb Parke (@calebparke) June 20, 2024

Church Response and Political Connections

Gateway Church has acknowledged the legal proceedings against its founder in a public statement. The church expressed support for the justice system’s role in holding abusers accountable and offered prayers for Clemishire, church members, and all those affected by the situation. Morris founded Gateway Church in 2000, growing it into one of the nation’s largest megachurches with reported weekly attendance exceeding 100,000 people across multiple campuses before his resignation.

The church released this statement on the matter: “We are aware of the actions being taken by the legal authorities in Oklahoma and are grateful for the work of the justice system in holding abusers accountable for their actions. We continue to pray for Cindy Clemishire and her family, for the members and staff of Gateway Church, and for all of those impacted by this terrible situation.”

Morris previously served on a faith advisory council during former President Donald Trump’s first term and hosted Trump at Gateway Church in 2020. Reports confirm that Morris is not involved in Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. The case has reignited discussions about accountability within church leadership and the procedures religious institutions use to handle allegations of abuse, particularly when those accused hold positions of significant influence and power.

Legal Consequences and Admission

Each of the five felony counts Morris faces carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, meaning he could potentially face up to 100 years behind bars if convicted on all charges. According to reports, Morris has previously admitted to “inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady” in a statement to The Christian Post, though the specific timing and context of this admission remain unclear in relation to the criminal proceedings.

The case highlights ongoing concerns about sexual abuse within religious institutions and the challenges of addressing historical allegations. As the legal process moves forward, both Morris’s defenders and critics will be watching closely to see how the church community responds to these serious allegations against one of its most prominent leaders. The proceedings also underscore the importance of institutional transparency and accountability measures designed to protect vulnerable individuals from potential abuse.