Gateway Church Founder Indicted on Child Abuse Charges

Gateway Church Interior

News Summary

Robert Morris, founder of Gateway Church, has been indicted on five counts of lewd acts with a child stemming from alleged incidents in the 1980s. The allegations brought forth by Cindy Clemishire, who was 12 at the time, have led to a significant response from authorities and the church. The indictment highlights serious concerns regarding individuals in positions of trust. If convicted, Morris could face a lengthy prison sentence, igniting discussions on accountability and justice for victims of abuse.

Gateway Church Founder Robert Morris Indicted on Multiple Counts of Child Abuse

In a shocking turn of events, Robert Preston Morris, the founder of the well-known Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, has been indicted on five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child. This news was brought to light by the Oklahoma Attorney General’s office, and it has certainly sent ripples through the community and beyond, as many had held Morris in high regard.

Allegations Surface from the Past

These charges stem from incidents that allegedly took place back in the 1980s. Specifically, the abuse reportedly began in December 1982 when Morris was just 21 years old and was then a traveling evangelist. A woman named Cindy Clemishire has come forward, sharing that she was only 12 years old when the abuse started during a visit to her family’s home in Hominy, Oklahoma. It is a heartbreaking tale of suffering that lasted for four long years, as events escalated from that initial encounter.

According to Clemishire, the incidents not only began on Christmas but unfortunately continued as she grew older, while she was aged 13 and 14. There are chilling accounts of Morris allegedly engaging in inappropriate and lewd behavior towards Clemishire, that included touching her in a manner that was disturbing and inappropriate for her age.

The Reaction from Authorities

The Oklahoma Attorney General, Gentner Drummond, has made a strong statement regarding this case, emphasizing the absolute unacceptability of adults preying on children, particularly someone in a position of trust like a pastor. The gravity of the situation has not gone unnoticed, as this is not just about legal repercussions but about the moral and ethical responsibilities individuals carry when they hold such influential roles.

Clemishire has expressed her deep gratitude towards the authorities for their willingness to listen and act on her claims, especially after almost 43 years of silence on her part. The good news for victims like Clemishire is that the statute of limitations for child sex abuse doesn’t apply here because Morris was not a resident of Oklahoma during the time the abuse was said to have happened.

Grand Jury Indictment and Potential Consequences

The indictment came after a multi-county grand jury spent two days taking secret testimony, weighing the evidence before reaching their verdict. If convicted, Morris could face a hefty sentence, with the potential to spend up to 100 years in prison. That’s a real humdinger of a consequence, and it’s clear that the legal system is taking these allegations very seriously.

Interestingly, even during the time of the alleged misconduct, Morris was married and had a young child, leading many to reflect on the responsibilities he had in his personal life as well. While Morris previously admitted to being involved in “inappropriate sexual behavior” during his early twenties, he attempted to diminish the severity of those actions, referring to them as merely “kissing and petting.”

Gateway Church’s Response

After the allegations came to light, Gateway Church has publicly stated their commitment to praying for Clemishire and others affected by the situation. In light of these events, there has been a significant shift within the church’s leadership, leading to some church elders being removed amid a wider cultural reckoning within the organization. The church has also been facing scrutiny from a 2020 lawsuit alleging child sex abuse cover-ups, though they maintain that they did nothing wrong in that case.

With Morris scheduled to turn himself in next week, many are left wondering about the future of both Morris and the church he built into one of the largest megachurches in the nation. It’s a convoluted situation, and as the legal proceedings unfold, there’s hope for justice and healing for all those impacted by these tragic circumstances.