Recently, Gateway Church founder Robert Morris resigned amid shocking allegations that he engaged in an inappropriate sexual relationship with a young girl decades ago in the 80’s. Amid the fallout, Texas-based Daystar Television Network announced it would be removing all programming featuring Morris.
“We are deeply grieved and saddened by the recent and very serious allegations against Pastor Robert Morris involving the sexual abuse of a 12-year-old minor. In light of these events and a recently released statement by Gateway’s Elders, Daystar’s leadership has made the decision to remove all of Pastor Robert Morris’ programming from our broadcasting schedule,” the network said in a statement uploaded to X.
The message continues, “Daystar unequivocally condemns the actions described in these allegations and remains committed to upholding Biblical values as outlined in the Word of God. As we navigate through this challenging situation, we extend our heartfelt prayers to all those impacted.”
Reportedly, Morris had sexually abused Cindy Clemishire starting in December 1982 when she was 12. According to Clemishire, the abuse went on for roughly four-and-a-half years before it was uncovered. After repenting nearly 35 years ago, Morris was allowed to return to his ministry.
Morris addressed the situation, stating, “In March of 1987, this situation was brought to light, and it was confessed and repented for. 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.”
However, Clemishire disputed that she was a “young lady” when the relationship took place. “I was 12 years old. I was a little girl. A very innocent little girl. And he was brought into our home. He and his wife, Debbie, and their little boy, Josh, and trusted and preached at the church that my dad helped start and then began grooming all of us to do this, which took me decades to wrap my brain around as an adult,” she said told the Christian Post.
Clemishire continued, “It went on for many years. He says there was no sexual intercourse, but he did touch every part of my body and inserted his fingers into me, which I understand now is considered a form of rape by instrumentation. I was an innocent 12-year-old little girl who knew nothing about sexual behavior.”
The Christian Tribune initially reported earlier this month on the news that Pastor Morris had confessed what he described as a “moral failure.” Morris said, “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 founded Gateway Church based in Southlake, Texas that draws a massive congregation of nearly 100,000 worshippers on a weekly basis. The allegations against Morris come just after the news that Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship pastor Tony Evans would be stepping down from his leadership at the Dallas-based church amid the confession of an unspecified sin. Watch a recent sermon from Morris below:
Note: The featured image is a screenshot from the embedded video.