Gateway Church Founder Sued for Defamation Over Child Abuse Allegations

Cindy Clemishire, who alleges she was sexually abused by Gateway Church founder Robert Morris from age 12, has filed a defamation lawsuit against Morris and the Texas megachurch. The lawsuit seeks over $1 million in damages, accusing Morris and Gateway leaders of falsely portraying the abuse as a “relationship” rather than a crime against a child. Clemishire and her father claim church officials made misleading statements after the case became public in 2024.

The lawsuit comes after Morris was indicted in March on five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child, stemming from abuse that reportedly began in December 1982 and continued for over four years. An internal investigation at Gateway Church revealed multiple elders had prior knowledge of Morris’s conduct but failed to act. In court filings, Morris admitted to a “highly inappropriate relationship,” recalling an incident involving kissing and touching a girl shortly before her 13th birthday.

Gateway Church has not commented on the defamation suit, but a spokesperson told The Christian Post, “There seems to be nothing that Robert won’t say or do to blame everyone else but himself.” The lawsuit alleges church leaders prioritized protecting Morris and the church’s reputation over seeking justice and supporting the victim.