Pastor Robert Morris, founder of the Texas-based megachurch Gateway Church, recently had a sexual abuse scandal from decades ago resurface. Morris’ son-in-law Ethan Fischer, who holds the position of senior pastor at Gateway Church Houston, revealed the “nightmare week” that occurred following the controversy coming to light.
For background, it was recently revealed to the public that Morris had sexually abused now-54-year-old Cindy Clemishire for over four years beginning in the 1980s. Clemishire was 12 when the relationship between her and Morris, who was in his early 20s at the time, began.
“As people have asked us, ‘Hey how are you doing?’ I just tell them, ‘Well, it’s been a nightmare week,’ what we’ve had to process and what we’ve had to go through. But we know that we will get the help,” said Fisher, as reported by the Christian Post.
Fischer further thanked those who had offered their prayers and condolences to the family, which was struggling in the aftermath of the controversy. “And truth be told, I just simply want to say thank you to every person who has reached out to us. I know that you have been praying for us, praying for the church, praying for us individually, as a family, and I want to say we appreciate it,” he continued. “That’s really what’s truly carried us during this past week. For us, and many of us, this is unprecedented, and we appreciate the love; we appreciate the support, and we appreciate the way that you cared for us.”
The Christian Tribune previously reported on the sexual abuse scandal when news of Morris’ past inappropriate relationship initially broke. Morris claimed the relationship eventually came to light in the late 80s, to which he confessed and repented.
“When I was in my early twenties, I was involved in inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady in a home where I was staying. It was kissing and petting and not intercourse, but it was wrong. This behavior happened on several occasions over the next few years,” Morris said
He continued, “In March of 1987, this situation was brought to light, and it was confessed and repented of. I submitted myself to the Elders of Shady Grove Church and the young lady’s father. They asked me to step out of ministry and receive counseling and freedom ministry, which I did. Since that time, I have walked in purity and accountability in this area,” Morris added.The Texas pastor said that he sought forgiveness for his actions. “I asked their forgiveness, and they graciously forgave me,” he said.
According to Elders at Gateway Church, Morris has honestly confessed his sin from decades ago while seeking honest repentance. “Pastor Robert has been open and forthright about a moral failure he had over 35 years ago when he was in his twenties and prior to him starting Gateway Church. He has shared publicly from the pulpit the proper biblical steps he took in his lengthy restoration process,” they explained. Reportedly Morris underwent a restoration process and has avoided any similar moral failures since.
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