Former Megachurch Pastor Robert Morris Surrenders to Authorities on Felony Charges
Former Gateway Church pastor Robert Morris voluntarily surrendered to an Oklahoma sheriff's office on Monday after he was indicted on five felony counts of lewd or indecent acts to a child in Oklahoma. Morris, who founded Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, near Dallas-Fort Worth, stepped down as senior pastor last June after Cindy Clemishire alleged him of sexually abusing her in the 1980s starting when she was 12 years old, USA Today.
"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 to the Oklahoman following the public disclosure of the indictment.
The Osage County Sheriff's Office told USA TODAY that Morris turned himself in on Monday morning, posted his $50,000 bond, and was arraigned later that afternoon.
In addition to Morris' resignation, Gateway Church attempted to dissociate itself from him during an independent investigation by Haynes and Boone, a Dallas-headquartered law firm, into the church.
Additionally, the church severed ties with Morris' son and daughter-in-law, James and Bridget Morris; executive pastor Kemtal Glasgow; and several of its elders.
"What happened to Cindy Clemishire was heartbreaking and vile," Tra Willbanks, an elder at Gateway Church, said during a November livestream. "We denounce sexual abuse in all of its forms, and we feel deep sorrow for those who have been victimized by such despicable actions."
Speaking to USA Today, Willbanks confirmed that Gateway was cooperating with the ongoing investigation, and clarified that the investigation does not apply to the church of its current leadership.
At the time the allegations broke, the church maintained that while they knew Morris had an "extramarital relationship" with a "young lady," they did not know it involved the "abuse of a 12-year-old girl."
"We are heartbroken and appalled by what has come to light over the past few days, and we express our deep sympathy to the victim and her family," the church said in a statement to multiple outlets at the time.
Photo Credit: ©X/Amy Smith/ Retrieved from Osage County Sherrif
Originally published March 18, 2025.
