Texas Megachurch Pastor Robert Morris Indicted on Child Molestation Charges: A Scandal That Shakes Evangelical Leadership

High-Profile Religious Leader Faces Criminal Allegations Amid Public Outcry

Robert Morris, founder of the influential Gateway Church and a former spiritual advisor to President Donald Trump, has been indicted on child molestation charges, sending shockwaves through the evangelical community.

The indictment, issued by an Oklahoma grand jury, accuses Morris of sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl in the early 1980s when he was a traveling preacher. The case has sparked an intense legal and public reckoning, as faith leaders and congregants grapple with yet another high-profile scandal within the church.

For more than 40 years, Cindy Clemishire, now 55, has carried the trauma of her alleged abuse in silence. She claims Morris used his position as a trusted spiritual figure to prey on her, exploiting her family's faith and trust.

“He was a man of God, someone we all looked up to,” Clemishire said in an emotional statement. “I was just a child. I didn’t understand what was happening. But I do now, and I will no longer be silent.”

According to legal documents, the abuse took place over several years, with Morris allegedly using his religious authority to manipulate and silence his victim.

With the grand jury’s indictment, prosecutors are now building a comprehensive case that could expose deeper systemic issues within evangelical circles—particularly in how powerful religious figures are shielded from scrutiny.

Gateway Church, one of the largest megachurches in the United States, is now at the center of a growing scandal. With more than 100,000 weekly attendees, Morris built an empire of faith and influence. However, as allegations mount, his legacy is now under intense scrutiny.

The church has initiated an independent investigation, and sources say several top leaders have been removed for allegedly covering up past misconduct. Internal conflicts are brewing as congregants demand transparency, accountability, and answers.

Attendance at Gateway Church has dropped sharply, and financial donations—once a major source of revenue—have plummeted as more people distance themselves from the controversy.

“We were told he was a man of integrity,” said a former church member who requested anonymity. “Now, it feels like we’ve been deceived.”

Legal Consequences: What Lies Ahead for Robert Morris?

Morris, 63, faces five felony charges of lewd acts with a child. Each charge carries a sentence of up to 20 years, meaning he could face a century behind bars if convicted.

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond made it clear that no religious leader is above the law:

“We will pursue justice to the fullest extent. The abuse of power, particularly within religious institutions, cannot and will not be tolerated.”

Legal experts predict that more victims may come forward, now that Morris has been officially indicted. Investigators are urging anyone with additional information to contact authorities.

A Larger Crisis: The Church’s Struggle With Accountability

Morris’s indictment is not an isolated event—it is part of a larger reckoning within religious institutions. The past decade has exposed numerous high-profile abuse cases within churches, leading to renewed scrutiny over how faith-based organizations handle allegations of misconduct.

Religious abuse survivor advocate Rachael Denhollander weighed in on the case:

“For too long, churches have protected abusers instead of survivors. This must change. We need transparency, accountability, and justice.”

The Gateway Church scandal underscores a pressing issue: how do religious communities balance faith with accountability?

With Morris’s legal battle just beginning, the world is watching. This case could redefine how abuse within religious institutions is handled, setting a new precedent for transparency and justice.

For Cindy Clemishire, this is a long-overdue moment of truth.
For Gateway Church, it is a crisis that threatens its future.
For faith communities worldwide, it is a wake-up call.

The trial is set to unfold in the coming months, with implications that could reshape the future of evangelical leadership and accountability.