Staff writer: Aliyah Santana 

Email: asantana5@umassd.edu

Robert Morris, the founder of one of the largest megachurches in the U.S. and a former evangelical advisor to President Donald Trump, has been accused of child sexual abuse back to the 1980s. 

Morris has founded and preached at Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, a non-denominational evangelical Christian congregation. Gateway Church offers a variety of groups and ministries from kids, to marriage and even prison outreach, aiming to provide a welcoming space for everyone. 

They are guided by the principle, “Our heart is simple: love God, love people.”

However, recent allegations have shattered this perception of safety. 

The former Texas Megachurch pastor of Gateway Church stepped down from the position last summer at the Dallas-based church when allegations first arose. 

Cindy Clemishire came forward, allowing her story to be published on June 14 by the Wartburg Watch.

Cindy and her family met Morris at a youth revival in Tulsa in 1981. Her family was heavily active in the church, involved in many of the evangelistic events. 

He then became the regular Sunday preacher at her home church and grew close with her family. He often stood at their home with his wife and son. 

They were family friends, a trusted figure in the eyes of a child. 

In 1981, Cindy was 12 when Morris asked her to visit him in his room that night. Cindy shared a room with her sister. 

Bearing the gruesome details, everything changed for Cindy that night. 

Cindy recounts that Morris told her that night to “never tell anyone about this because it will ruin everything” 

His behavior continued until march of 1987 and wasn’t questioned because Morris covered the incidents by telling his wife, Debbie Morris, and Cindy’s family that he was “counseling” her.

At this time, Morris was the Pastor at Shady Grove Church. This would eventually become the first Gateway Church.

Eventually, Cindy confided in a close friend, who encouraged her to tell her family. Her family was outraged and forced Morris to step down from the ministry. 

Adding to the distress of this situation, upon learning the allegations, Debbie Morris reportedly called Clemishire to “forgive her,” seemingly placing blame on the victim. 

Cindy recounts that this is when everything fell apart. 

The Morris family left town for two years. Upon return, Robert Morris got back into the ministry, but Cindy and her family severed all contact with him and his wife. 

In 2005, Cindy attempted to sue Robert Morris. His attorney responded by saying she was “flirtatious,” implying it was her fault he sexually abused her. 

She asked for $50,000, and they responded with $25,000 and the signing of an NDA—which she refused. 

Morris allegedly molested a minor while he was a pastor, deeply wounding her for the rest of her life. He now gives away houses and has the largest church in the U.S. 

A twelve year old girl in her pink pajamas was told she was “flirtatious.” 

Morris, who is now 63, surrendered to the Osage County Sheriff’s Office at 7:57 am on Monday, March 17. By 8:11am, he was posted with a $50,000 bond and was released. 

He was being charged with five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child. (See Robert Morris’s indictment here)

Cindy Clemishire, now 55, is the driving force behind these developments. Her bravery and determination to speak out have now empowered others to come forward. 

Morris has declined to comment, but his attorney has stated that he will be entering a non guilty plea. 

His first court appearance has been scheduled for May 9.