Gateway Church removed four elders, according to church leader – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

Gateway Church removed four of its elders after receiving the results of an internal investigation into allegations of sexual abuse against founder Robert Morris, a church leader announced Saturday.

Church elder Tra Willbanks told the congregation of the decision during services Saturday morning at the church’s Southlake campus.

“There were two groups. There was one group who knew without a doubt that Cindy was 12 when this abuse began, and there was another group who knew about allegations of sexual abuse by Robert Morris, who had enough information to, that they should have directed them to ask more questions and inquire further, but they didn’t,” Willbanks said. “Both groups are fundamentally wrong and simply cannot and will not be tolerated at Gateway Church.”

Willbanks praised Cindy Clemishire, now 54, the woman who accused Morris of abusing her as a child, and condemned Morris in the strongest words the church has used since the allegations became public.

Willbanks said Haynes Boone’s independent investigation found no other instances of sexual misconduct by Morris. He also outlined changes that will be made to the church’s constitution and management structure.

“We have decided to draw a very bright line here based on biblical and moral values ​​and the values ​​of our church family, and we can report to you that today there are no persons in either group serving as elders are employed by or working at Gateway Church,” Willbanks said to applause from the megachurch crowd.

Willbanks said the church is also cooperating with a criminal investigation.