Enid, OK — The founder of one of the largest megachurches in the United States, Gateway Church in Texas, has been indicted on five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child. The charges date back to the early 1980s, when Robert Preston Morris, who served as the senior pastor of the church until stepping down in 2024, is accused of sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl. The alleged incidents took place between 1982 and 1986, during a trip to Hominy, Oklahoma, with the victim’s family.
The Oklahoma Grand Jury’s indictment follows years of silence and growing public attention to the case. According to court documents, Morris engaged in a pattern of sexual misconduct, which began during Christmas 1982 and continued for several years. The charges have raised questions about accountability within religious institutions and the responsibility of church leaders to protect vulnerable members of their congregation.
Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who is overseeing the case, has spoken out strongly against Morris’ alleged actions, particularly given the position of trust he held. “There can be no tolerance for those who sexually prey on children,” Drummond stated. “This case is all the more despicable because the alleged perpetrator was a pastor who exploited his position.” The Attorney General also emphasized that the statute of limitations did not apply in this case, as Morris was not a resident of Oklahoma at the time of the alleged abuse.
The victim, identified as Cindy Clemishire, publicly shared her accusations against Morris in 2024, after years of struggling with the trauma. Clemishire, who had long believed the abuse was her fault, sought justice for the first time in 2007, hiring Drummond as her attorney and threatening a lawsuit. According to documents obtained by NBC News, Morris’ legal team attempted to deflect blame, suggesting that Clemishire had initiated the inappropriate behavior by entering his bedroom. Morris’ lawyer also invoked a biblical passage in an attempt to dissuade Clemishire from pursuing legal action.
Despite the earlier legal efforts, it was not until the recent public disclosure of the abuse that attention was drawn to the case. Clemishire, who says she lived with the pain of the abuse for decades, expressed that she feels some sense of closure now that the case is finally moving forward in the courts. “Part of the timing of right now is the discussion around these topics has been a lot more open over the last decade, and people are tired of seeing children hurt,” she told reporters.
In the wake of the allegations, Morris stepped down from his role as senior pastor of Gateway Church in 2024. Church officials initially acknowledged a “moral failure” on Morris’ part but later clarified that they were unaware that the victim was a child at the time of the alleged incidents. The church’s handling of the situation has drawn criticism from survivors and advocates for stronger safeguards within religious institutions.
Morris has admitted to past inappropriate sexual behavior but claimed to have confessed and repented years ago. As the legal proceedings unfold, the case continues to shine a spotlight on the issue of sexual abuse within religious communities and the need for greater transparency and accountability.
Clemishire, while acknowledging the pain caused by the case, remains hopeful that justice will be served. “I think it’s very painful for people in the church to know that such a large name, big leader was responsible for it,” she said. “But I also think people are finally ready to face the truth.”
As this case progresses, the ongoing conversation about sexual abuse, particularly within religious organizations, is likely to continue, as more survivors find the courage to come forward.
