Current:Home > StocksTimeline of Gateway Church exodus, allegations following claims against Robert Morris -Streamline Finance
Timeline of Gateway Church exodus, allegations following claims against Robert Morris
View
Date:2025-04-15 04:16:44
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! (4831)
Related
- Euphoria's Hunter Schafer Says Ex Dominic Fike Cheated on Her Before Breakup
- Maximize Your Time and Minimize Your Spending With 24 Amazon Deals for People Who Are Always on the Go
- Mega Millions jackpot soars $1.1 billion. This one number hasn't won for months in lottery
- It's National Puppy Day: Celebrate Your Fur Baby With Amazon's Big Spring Sale Pet Deals
- Tom Holland's New Venture Revealed
- Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi Celebrate Third Dating Anniversary Ahead of Wedding
- Nevada regulators fine Laughlin casino record $500,000 for incidents involving security officers
- Women's March Madness games today: Schedule, how to watch Saturday's NCAA Tournament
- Bet365 ordered to refund $519K to customers who it paid less than they were entitled on sports bets
- Thunderstorms delay flights at Miami airport, suspend music festival and disrupt tennis tournament
Ranking
- Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
- Hardy souls across New England shoveling out after major snow storm
- Nevada’s first big-game moose hunt will be tiny as unusual southern expansion defies climate change
- This Size-Inclusive Jumpsuit is on Sale for Just $25 During Amazon's Big Spring Sale
- Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
- Trump's Truth Social is losing money and has scant sales. Yet it could trade at a $5 billion value.
- Maximize Your Time and Minimize Your Spending With 24 Amazon Deals for People Who Are Always on the Go
- What is Purim? What to know about the Jewish holiday that begins Saturday evening
Recommendation
3 years after the NFL added a 17th game, the push for an 18th gets stronger
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Primetime
Kenya Moore, Madison LeCroy, & Kandi Burruss Use a Scalp Brush That’s $6 During the Amazon Big Sale
Led by Caleb Love, Arizona is doing all the right things to make Final Four return
Olympic disqualification of gold medal hopeful exposes 'dark side' of women's wrestling
Rain helps contain still-burning wildfires in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley; state sending more aid
A family's guide to the total solar eclipse: Kids activities, crafts, podcast parties and more
Rain helps contain still-burning wildfires in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley; state sending more aid