Who is Robert Morris?

​Robert Morris, a prominent evangelical leader and founder of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, has been indicted on five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child.

The charges stem from allegations that Morris sexually abused Cindy Clemishire starting in 1982 when she was 12 years old. The abuse allegedly continued over a four-year period while Morris was a traveling evangelist staying with Clemishire's family in Hominy, Oklahoma. ​

Texas megachurch founder Robert Morris
Texas megachurch founder Robert Morris

Biographical Background

Born on July 29, 1961, in Marshall, Texas, Robert Morris was raised in a Baptist household. He graduated from Pine Tree High School in Longview, Texas, and attended East Texas Baptist College and the Criswell Center for Biblical Studies. ​

In 1980, Morris married his wife, Debbie, and together they have three children. ​

Career and Ministry

Morris began his ministry in the late 1970s as a youth evangelist at the Hi-Way 80 Rescue Mission in Longview, Texas. He later joined the James Robison Evangelistic Association as a traveling evangelist in 1981.

In 2000, Morris and his wife founded Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas. Under his leadership, the church grew rapidly, becoming one of the largest megachurches in the United States, with multiple campuses across the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex and weekly attendance reaching 25,800 by 2024.

Beyond his pastoral duties, Morris authored several books, including "The Blessed Life," "Dream to Destiny," and "The God I Never Knew." He also hosted a radio program, "Worship & the Word with Pastor Robert," which reached over 6,800 cities, and a television program aired in 190 countries. In 2009, Morris collaborated with Jack W. Hayford to establish a branch of The King's University in Southlake, which became its main campus in 2014. ​

Role as a Trump Adviser

Morris's influence extended beyond the pulpit. He served on a 25-person evangelical executive advisory board during Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and hosted Trump at Gateway Church in June 2020 for a discussion on race relations and the economy. His involvement in politics underscored his status as a significant figure in conservative Christian circles. ​

Allegations and Indictment

In June 2024, Cindy Clemishire accused Morris of sexually abusing her beginning in 1982 when she was 12 years old. At that time, Morris was a traveling evangelist staying with her family in Hominy, Oklahoma. The alleged abuse continued for approximately four years. ​

Following these allegations, Morris resigned from his position at Gateway Church in June 2024. The church acknowledged the accusations and expressed support for the investigation. ​

On March 12, 2025, the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office announced that Morris had been indicted on five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child. Each count carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison. ​

Impact on Gateway Church

The scandal has had profound effects on Gateway Church. Following Morris's resignation, the church faced internal turmoil, including the removal of several elders who were found to have known about the abuse or failed to act upon learning of it. The church also experienced a significant decline in membership and financial contributions, leading to challenges in maintaining its operations and ministries. ​

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