James Morris, the son of now-former megachurch pastor Robert Morris, released a surprising video to the Dallas-area in which he announced the launch of a new church community just down the street from the old building where his father preached. Passage Church is just a short drive from Gateway Church; Robert Morris founded the latter and James Morris the former.
The news of the new church comes as Robert Morris faces criminal indictment for “child sex crimes” with his accuser back in the 1980s when she was allegedly between the ages of 12 and 16. He turned himself in on March 17th to Oklahoma law enforcement, where he was subsequently let out on bail. “Morris is facing five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child. Records show he posted a $50,000 bond and was released just after 8 a.m.,” Oklahoma’s 9 News reported. He faces up to 20 years for each of the five counts, the news outlet added.
Undeterred by his father’s current legal situation, son James shared the news that he was distancing himself from Gateway with the formation of his new church, Passage Church. Passage is set to open its doors over Easter in a facility being lent to it. The information was released in an exuberant video posted to Instagram by him and his wife, Bridgette.
“Hey everyone. Thank you so much for going on this journey with us, praying for us, praying for Passage Church. And we have some big news, because we have been looking long and hard trying to find a location, and God opened a great door,” the couple began.
that’s right, and we are so excited to get to announce to you today where our services are located. Pastor Denny Davis of Saint John’s Church here in South Lake has graciously opened up his doors so that we can meet here on Saturday evenings, 4pm,” James and Bridgette announced.
“Yes. So first service is on April 12. That’s on Palm Sunday weekend. For us, it’s palm Saturday because we meet on Saturdays. And so mark it on your calendar. We’d love to see you there it is on palm Saturday, April 12, and then every Saturday after that, just go ahead and mark it on your calendar. We’d love to see you all there. We’ll see you right here in SouthLake,” the couple concluded.
See the video announcing the creation of Passage Church with information about its inaugural service:
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Sharing the information about the newly-created Passage Church, James and his wife Bridgette released an upbeat video to Instagram, writing exuberantly: “We have a location!! We are so grateful to Pastor Davis of St. John’s Church for welcoming us with open arms and generously allowing us to use their building as we launch Passage Church. Mark your calendars for April 12th (Palm Saturday) @ 4pm for our official service launch!! We want to see you, your friends, and your family there! Share this to your story and get the word out!! See you soon Passage family!!
“Robert Morris, the Dallas-area megachurch pastor who resigned last year amid sexual abuse allegations, has been indicted in Oklahoma for child sex crimes that date back to the 1980s…The indictment comes less than a year after Morris resigned from Gateway Church in SouthLake after an adult woman, Cindy Clemishire, said Morris repeatedly sexually assaulted her while she was a child in Oklahoma in the 1980s. Morris was at the time working as a traveling preacher,” the Texas Tribune wrote.
The Christian Tribune previously reported that Texas law needed to be amended in order to even charge Morris. “Because the accusations stretch back so far, indeed to the 1980s when Morris worked as a traveling pastor and the victim was between the ages of 12 and 16, even for a crime as heinous as this one Texas law imposed a statute of limitations. As it relates to crimes committed against minors, the criminal statute of limitations is 20 years from the victim’s 18th birthday in the event the victim is under the age of 17,” The Christian Tribune said.
Featured image: Osage County Sheriff’s Office