Senior Pastor Jimmy Evans Denies Knowledge of Morris’ Sin

Former Gateway Church lead apostolic senior pastor, Jimmy Evans, shared that although Texas megachurch’s founder, Robert Morris, told him he had an affair in his early 20s while he was a minister, Evans was not aware that the affair was with a 12-year-old girl. “I was shocked and devastated by Cindy Clemishire’s account, published this June, and I applaud her courage to come forward. First and foremost, I pray for God’s comfort to surround Ms. Clemishire, her family, and all those who know and love her,” Evans, who is now founder and president of XO Marriage, shared in a statement on the Tipping Point Prophecy Update last Friday.

“Prior to the launch of Gateway, Robert Morris shared with me that he ‘had an affair with a woman in [his] early 20s.’ He represented that he stepped out of ministry and was fully restored. I was unaware of anything like the allegations shared last week until I read Ms. Clemishire’s story,” Evans said.

Earlier this month, Gateway Church elders announced that Morris resigned as senior pastor after Clemishire, a 54-year-old grandmother, alleged that he abused her for four-and-a-half years when she was 12 years old.

When the allegations went public, Morris confessed to having “inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady,” of which he repented and was restored to ministry, The Christian Post reported.

“When I was in my early twenties, I was involved in inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady in a home where I was staying. It was kissing and petting and not intercourse, but it was wrong. This behavior happened on several occasions over the next few years,” he said.

“In March of 1987, this situation was brought to light, and it was confessed and repented. I submitted myself to the Elders of Shady Grove Church and the young lady’s father. They asked me to step out of ministry and receive counseling and freedom ministry, which I did. Since that time, I have walked in purity and accountability in this area,” Morris added.

Two years later, he returned to ministry with the blessing of Clemshire’s father and the elders of his church. He added that he and his wife met with the survivor and her family in October 1989.

Prominent evangelical leaders have spoken out against Morris in light of the sex abuse scandal, including Saddleback Church founder Rick Warren.

“Perpetrators are to be publicly fired, not allowed to resign,” Warren, whose wife, Kay, was sexually abused as a child, said. “Child abuse STILL enrages Jesus: ‘If anyone offends one of these little ones, it would be better for him to have a millstone hung around his neck and drowned in the sea.’ Matthew 18:6.”

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Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for CrosswalkHeadlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.