Gateway Church founder Robert Morris pleads guilty to child sex abuse

Robert Morris is the founder and former senior pastor of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, who pleaded guilty in October 2025 to felony charges of child sexual abuse. The abuse took place in the 1980s, when Morris was a young traveling evangelist.

Sexual abuse conviction

Guilty plea: On October 2, 2025, Morris pleaded guilty to five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child in Oklahoma’s Osage County.
Sentence: As part of a plea deal, Morris was sentenced to 10 years, with the first six months to be served in the Osage County Jail, followed by probation. He will also be required to register as a sex offender.
Victim’s account: The abuse was alleged by Cindy Clemishire and began in 1982, when she was 12 years old and Morris was staying with her family in Oklahoma. The abuse continued for several years. Clemishire spoke out publicly in 2024, leading to Morris’s resignation from Gateway Church and his indictment in 2025.
Previous public statements: Before the full details of the abuse were revealed, Morris had previously referred to a “moral failure” from over 35 years ago but framed it as a consensual “inappropriate sexual behavior” with a “young lady”. The church elders at the time claimed they were not aware of the victim’s age or the specific nature of the abuse.

History and career at Gateway Church

Gateway Church: Morris founded the multi-campus megachurch in 2000 in Southlake, Texas. Under his leadership, it became one of the largest congregations in the United States.
Resignation: He resigned from his position as senior pastor in June 2024, shortly after Clemishire’s allegations became public. His son, James Morris, and other church elders also stepped down from leadership roles during the fallout.
Impact on the church: The scandal led to a significant drop in donations, resulting in staff layoffs at Gateway Church.
Financial dispute: Following his resignation, Morris entered into a financial dispute with Gateway Church, demanding millions in retirement and severance payments.

Public profile

Televangelist and author: Morris was also a prominent televangelist with a TV and radio program and the author of several best-selling books, including The Blessed Life.
Political ties: He was politically active and served on former President Donald Trump’s evangelical advisory board during his 2016 campaign and first term. Trump’s 2024 campaign later clarified that Morris had no role in that campaign.