A prominent Dallas-area megachurch, Gateway Church, announced on Tuesday the resignation of its senior pastor, Robert Morris, following allegations of a past inappropriate relationship with a 12-year-old girl.


In a statement, the Board of Elders at Gateway Church revealed that they had not been fully aware of the nature of the allegations before June 14. 


"Previously, the elders understood that Morris's extramarital affair, which he had spoken about on numerous occasions, involved a young adult woman, not the abuse of a 12-year-old child," the statement said. "Despite the incidents occurring years before Gateway was established, as church leaders, we regret not having this critical information sooner." 


The elders expressed their deep sorrow and concern, extending their sympathies to the victim and her family.



Morris, in his statement, recounted his actions from his early twenties, admitting to inappropriate sexual behavior with a young girl in a home where he was staying. "The interactions involved kissing and petting, not intercourse, but it was still wrong," Morris said. "This behavior continued on several occasions over the next few years."


The victim, Cindy Clemishire, shared her account with WFAA, stating the abuse began on Christmas Day in 1982 and lasted until 1987, when she disclosed the incidents to her parents. The church watchdog blog, The Wartburg Watch, first reported Clemishire's story on Friday. 


Clemishire expressed mixed feelings about Morris's resignation, stating through her attorney, "While I am relieved that he is no longer a pastor at Gateway, I am disheartened that the Board of Elders allowed him to resign. He should have been terminated."


Morris's misconduct was exposed in 1987 when he was a pastor at Shady Grove Church in Grand Prairie, which later became one of Gateway Church's 11 locations. Morris confessed and sought repentance at that time. "In March of 1987, I confessed my actions and sought counseling and ministry. Since then, I have maintained purity and accountability in this area," he said. Morris also mentioned a meeting in 1989 with the survivor and her family, during which he asked for and received their forgiveness.


Clemishire, however, emphasized that while her family forgave Morris, they never supported his return to ministry. "Leaders may feel it is their duty to protect God's image, but our primary responsibility is to protect people. God is bigger than all of that," she added