The founder of Gateway Church in North Texas, Robert Morris, has turned himself in to authorities in Oklahoma after being indicted on multiple charges of lewd or indecent acts with a child. The charges stem from an allegations made by Cindy Clemishire, who claims that Morris sexually abused her starting on Christmas Day in 1982, when she was just 12 years old, and that the abuse continued over the next four years.
Morris, now 63 years old, resigned from his position as lead pastor at the megachurch last summer after these allegations came to light, which included earlier claims that he had sexually abused an Oklahoma woman in the 1980s. Following a warrant issued for his arrest last Thursday, Morris surrendered to authorities and was booked into the Osage County Jail. His bond has been set at $50,000, and he has been mandated to surrender his passport.
While Morris admitted to being involved in “inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady” after the allegations surfaced, he did not specify the victim’s age at that time. The indictment has been described by Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond as particularly appalling, given that Morris held a position of authority as a pastor.
Cindy Clemishire expressed her hope for justice in a statement, highlighting the long wait for accountability regarding the crimes committed against her during her childhood. She noted, “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 and her family have expressed gratitude to law enforcement for their efforts in bringing this case to light.
The Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office has indicated that the statute of limitations is not applicable in this case, as Morris was not a resident of Oklahoma during the time of the alleged offenses. Morris co-founded Gateway Church with his wife, Debbie, in 2000, and the church has expanded to multiple campuses across North Texas.
In the wake of Morris’s resignation, several other staff members, including his son James, have left the church. James Morris has since announced plans for a new church, while Gateway Church has initiated changes in its leadership structure, including the departure of multiple elders as part of an internal investigation.
As this case unfolds, it has raised significant concerns surrounding accountability and the systemic issues related to abuse within religious institutions, with many in the community closely monitoring the legal proceedings.
