Robert Morris, the founder and senior pastor at Gateway Church in North Texas, resigned on Tuesday after being accused of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl in the 1980s.
The church’s Board of Elders released a statement saying they accepted Morris’ resignation and will review the allegations to understand the events better.
Morris is accused of having a sexual relationship with a minor from 1982 to 1987 when he was a young Evangelist. On June 14, Cindy Clemishire, whose parents were friends with Morris, accused him of repeatedly molesting her during that time.
The elders said they were unaware of the details, including Clemishire’s age and the length of the abuse. They thought Morris had an extramarital affair with an adult, not a child.
“We are heartbroken and appalled by what has come to light, and we express our deep sympathy to the victim and her family,” the statement reads. “We hope for healing for all those affected.”
Clemishire expressed mixed feelings about Morris’ resignation, stating she wished he had been fired instead. She criticized the church elders for believing Morris’ version of events despite knowing about her claims.
Morris founded Gateway Church in Southlake in 2000, which has grown to nine campuses in North Texas and is one of the largest evangelical churches in the U.S.
The allegations were first reported by The Wartburg Watch, a church watchdog blog, and then by The Christian Post. Morris admitted to “inappropriate sexual behavior” with a young girl in his early twenties, describing it as kissing and petting but not intercourse. He acknowledged it was wrong and happened several times over the years.
In a sermon from 10 years ago, Morris spoke about his past sexual immorality, explaining that he learned to manipulate and target vulnerable girls due to his fear of rejection.