Current:Home > ScamsTimeline of Gateway Church exodus, allegations following claims against Robert Morris -Wealth Evolution Experts
Timeline of Gateway Church exodus, allegations following claims against Robert Morris
View
Date:2025-04-13 08:33:49
Prominent members of Gateway Church continue to resign or step down following child sex abuse allegations against former senior pastor Robert Morris, who publicly admitted to having "inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady" 35 years ago.
Morris resigned from the Texas megachurch in June, four days after 54-year-old Cindy Clemishire went public with allegations that the pastor began molesting her when she was 12 and he was 21. Though he downplayed them, Morris acknowledged the allegations.
A month after Morris' resignation, his son and daughter-in-law, James and Bridget Morris, stepped down as pastors of the Dallas-based church. And on Wednesday, the church's leadership announced that executive pastor Kemtal Glasgow resigned due to an unspecified "moral issue" that "disqualifies him from serving."
Here is what we know about the turnover and allegations at Gateway Church.
Cindy Clemshire alleges Robert Morris abused her in 1982
Clemishire first shared her story with the Wartburg Watch, a blog about sexual abuse within the church, and said that Morris began sexually abusing her on Christmas in 1982. She said the abuse continued in Oklahoma and Texas until 1987.
After Clemishire's accusations went public, Morris and Gateway responded in separate statements.
"It was kissing and petting and not intercourse, but it was wrong," Morris, 62, said in a statement to local Dallas news station WFAA-TV. "This behavior happened on several occasions over the next few years ... Since that time, I have walked in purity and accountability in this area."
In a statement issued to members of the news media in June, the church's board of elders said they previously understood that Morris had an "extramarital relationship" with a "young lady," citing the pastor's words − "not abuse of a 12-year-old child."
"We are heartbroken and appalled by what has come to light over the past few days, and we express our deep sympathy to the victim and her family," according to the statement, obtained by CBS News and NBC News.
Robert Morris resigns from Gateway Church
Days after the church and Morris released statements, the pastor announced his resignation amid a public outcry.
In a follow-up statement, the church elders said that they "regret that we did not have the information that we now have."
"For the sake of the victim, we are thankful this situation has been exposed," the church said. "We know many have been affected by this, we understand that you are hurting, and we are very sorry. It is our prayer that, in time, healing for all those affected can occur."
Before Morris' resignation, Clemshire told USA TODAY that she shared her story with leadership in "very large and high-profile" churches and organizations for decades. Despite her openness, no one took Morris out of the ministry or pulpit.
Clemshire also said she came forward publicly to encourage others who may be victims of Morris to tell their stories.
"Any and all victims, come forward … I just don't believe that I'm the only person," she said.
James and Bridget Morris step down from Gateway
Gateway announced James and Bridget Morris' departures in July when it released the following statement to WFAA-TV:
“We as Elders affirm and believe that God has placed a desire in both Pastors James and Bridgette’s hearts to serve as senior pastors of a church at some point in the future," the statement said. "We love Pastors James and Bridgette and their children − we deeply care about them and sincerely thank them for investing their lives here at Gateway Church. They have faithfully and honorably served our congregation and this community through all the years that they have been part of Gateway Church.”
James Morris' resignation came a year before Robert Morris intended to turn over the leadership of the church to him, according to the TV station. The younger Morris has been employed by the church in various positions since 2012.
Before stepping down, the church's elders asked James Morris to take a temporary leave of absence. The church's suggestion came on June 28 and was under the advice of their attorneys at the Haynes and Boone law firm.
"Pastor James Morris is a man of integrity, and he has clearly stated that he had no knowledge of the true facts of this situation," the church said in a Facebook post. "However, because Pastor James Morris is related to Robert Morris, Haynes and Boone has recommended that Pastor James also take a temporary leave of absence from the Board of Elders and Pastor James has volunteered to do so to demonstrate his commitment to a truly independent and unbiased inquiry."
Pastor Kemtal Glasgow leaves Gateway
Gateway Church elder Tra Willbanks announced that executive pastor Kemtal Glasgow's departure Wednesday in a statement posted on the church's YouTube page.
"It recently came to light that Kemtal Glasgow had a moral failure so we've asked him to step down as a pastor at Gateway and devote time to his marriage and family," the megachurch said. "Although his employment is ending, we are devoted to still caring for Kemtal and his family."
Glasgow's information is no longer visible on Gateway's website, but an archive biography page says he was head of leadership and oversight at all of the church's campuses. In a statement to CBS News Texas, Gateway said that "it's our deepest desire for every staff member to lead a life of integrity, both in their personal and professional lives."
The church's statement continued to say that "this decision regarding Kemtal had nothing to with the departure of Robert Morris nor related to those circumstances."
veryGood! (5)
Related
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- Benji Gregory, 'Alf' child star of the '80s, dies at 46
- More than 1 million Houston-area customers still without power after Beryl
- Why Derrick White was named to USA Basketball roster over NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown
- Costco membership growth 'robust,' even amid fee increase: What to know about earnings release
- Alec Baldwin's 'Rust' trial is underway: Live updates of the biggest revelations
- All-Star rookie Shota Imanaga's historic first half helps Chicago Cubs battle the blahs
- Report: NBA media rights deal finalized with ESPN, Amazon, NBC. What to know about megadeal
- Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
- NATO nations agree Ukraine is on irreversible path to membership
Ranking
- Costco membership growth 'robust,' even amid fee increase: What to know about earnings release
- Ocasio-Cortez introduces impeachment articles against Supreme Court's Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito
- Man sentenced to 4-plus years in death of original ‘Mickey Mouse Club’ cast member
- All-Star rookie Shota Imanaga's historic first half helps Chicago Cubs battle the blahs
- Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
- The Token Revolution of DB Wealth Institute: Launching DBW Token to Fund and Enhance 'AI Financial Navigator 4.0' Investment System
- A Turning Point in Financial Innovation: The Ascent of DB Wealth Institute
- Pennsylvania Supreme Court justice in courtroom for brother’s federal sentencing for theft, bribery
Recommendation
Global Warming Set the Stage for Los Angeles Fires
Elephants trample tourist to death after he left fiancée in car to take photos in South Africa
Lola Consuelos Shares Rare PDA Photos With Boyfriend Cassius Kidston
North Dakota lawmaker reaches plea agreement after May arrest for impaired driving
Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
Brittany Mahomes Gives Patrick Mahomes a Hair Makeover
Sen. Bob Menendez bribery case one step closer to jury deliberations as closing arguments wrap up
Two 80-something journalists tried ChatGPT. Then, they sued to protect the ‘written word’