Gateway Church Report Reveals Alleged Past Abuse by Founder, Leadership Accountability Failure

A private investigation into Robert Morris, the founder of Gateway Church, has revealed a substantial failure by former church leadership regarding his alleged sexual relationship with a minor in the 1980s. This probe uncovered widespread issues of accountability and the mishandling of sensitive information, prompting the church to involve law enforcement and initiate internal reforms.

The investigation, led by Haynes Boone, scrutinized extensive data and documents, finding that multiple individuals were aware of the situation but failed to act appropriately. This inaction allowed potential misconduct to persist, raising serious questions about the church’s governance and its duty to protect vulnerable members.

Robert Morris, who was a traveling evangelist in his early 20s during the alleged period from 1982 to 1987, is now facing scrutiny over his actions. Cindy Clemishire, whose parents were friends with Morris, has publicly accused him of repeated molestation, bringing her allegations to light despite past efforts to conceal the truth.

Speaking during a worship service, Tra Willbanks, an elder at Gateway, acknowledged the church’s culture of centralized power and protection failures. He stated, “When a church becomes centered around one pastor alone, it’s lost its way,” and noted that four elders with knowledge of the relationship were removed from their positions following the probe, as their failure to inquire or act was a critical part of the misconduct.

Willbanks emphasized that the church and its current leadership are not targets of the ongoing criminal investigation, though details remain limited due to active legal proceedings and financial litigation involving Robert Morris. The probe continues to examine whether those who knew should have done more to uphold ethical standards.

Cindy Clemishire expressed awareness of the criminal investigation but has chosen not to meet with the investigators, citing her need to consult with legal counsel before responding to the

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