Chilling warning given by Gateway Church pastor Robert Morris to 12-year-old girl after sexually abusing her in his own home

A megachurch pastor accused of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl reportedly warned her not to tell anyone about the heinous abuse, which she says went on for years.

On Friday, Cindy Clemishire accused Robert Morris, pastor of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, of sexually abusing her for four and a half years from 1982 to 1987 and of sexually grooming her until she was 16 years old.

After the allegations became known, Morris admitted to engaging in “inappropriate sexual conduct toward a young lady,” but did not mention her age.

Clemishire told the church watchdog blog The Wartburg Watch that the abuse began on Christmas Day 1982 and continued for four years until a close friend informed her of what was happening.

When the alleged abuse began, Morris told her, Clemishire, “Don’t tell anyone about this because it will ruin everything.”

Morris, who served on former President Donald Trump’s Evangelical Executive Advisory Board in 2016, has since admitted to engaging in inappropriate sexual behavior toward a young “lady,” but did not disclose the age of the girl or woman.

“When I was in my early twenties, I was involved in inappropriate sexual conduct with a young lady in a home where I lived,” the megachurch pastor said in a statement obtained by CNN affiliate WFAA.

“It was kissing and caressing and not sexual intercourse, but it was wrong.

“This behavior occurred several times over the next few years.”

He further said that the “situation” came to light in March 1987 and that he had since “confessed and repented.”

“I submitted to the elders of Shady Grove Church and the young lady’s father,” Morris said.

“They asked me to step down from the ministry and take up counseling and freedom mission, which I did. Since then, I have been leading purity and responsibility in this field.”

In March 1989, Morris said, he returned to office with the “full blessing of the elders” and the father of the “young lady.”

In October of the same year, Morris said, he and his wife Debbie met with the “young lady” and her family and asked for forgiveness.

“And they graciously forgave me,” he said.

“This sin was properly dealt with through confession and repentance, which I did in 1987 and 1989.”

Morris was never charged with child sexual abuse.

Shocking allegations

The alleged abuse began when Morris and his family spent Christmas Eve with Clemishire and her family at their home in Hominy, Oklahoma, in 1982, Clemishire told Wartburg Watch.

She said that Morris asked her to visit him in his room that evening.

Once in the room, she said, the priest told her to lie on her back while he allegedly touched her stomach.

The story is heartbreaking when I read it on paper, and I’ve been telling it for years. I believe it’s just God’s time for it to come to light.”

Cindy ClemshireProsecutor of Robert Morris

Clemishire said he then told her to close her eyes while he allegedly touched her breasts and felt under her underwear.

At the time, he is said to have warned her not to tell anyone about the incident.

Shortly afterwards, Clemishire said, she returned to the bedroom she shared with her sister and did not say a word about the incident.

She further stated that similar behaviour had occurred repeatedly until March 1987.

She accused the priest of wanting to “make out” and engage in “petting.”

Clemishire claimed that Morris allegedly attempted to have sexual intercourse with her when she turned 16.

I think sometimes leaders get carried away and think that it’s our responsibility to protect God, when that’s not the case. Our responsibility is to protect people. God is bigger than all of that.”

Cindy ClemshireProsecutor of Robert Morris

Not long afterward, Clemishire said, she told a close friend about the alleged abuse, and her friend urged her to tell her parents.

Clemishire’s father reportedly immediately reported Morris and demanded that he resign from his position or call the police.

It wasn’t long before Morris resigned from his post for two years, Clemishire told The Wartburg Watch.

During this time, Clemishire said, Morris’ wife, Debbie, called her and told the teenager that she had “forgiven” her.

IN THE YEARS THAT FOLLOW

Clemishire told the church watchdog’s blog that it took her more than 10 years of counseling to fully understand what allegedly happened in her childhood.

In 2005, she reportedly hired a lawyer to file a civil lawsuit over the incident.

At the time, Morris’ lawyer is said to have suggested that Clemishire was responsible for the abuse.

She said the lawyer accused her of being “flirtatious.”

She then demanded financial compensation of $50,000, but Morris’ legal team offered her $25,000 if she signed a confidentiality agreement.

Clemishire reportedly turned down the offer.

“PROTECT THE PEOPLE”

Clemishire told WFAA that she has been telling her story for years and called it “heartbreaking.”

“The story is heartbreaking when I read it on paper, and I’ve been telling it for years,” she told the outlet.

“I think it’s just God’s time for it to come to light.”

She added: “People should not be able to do this to children or adults and get away with it.”

Clemishire continued to dispute Morris’ account of the alleged incident.

“He didn’t come forward and confess. He was betrayed,” she said. “What does someone who is betrayed feel sorry for? Is he sorry he got caught? Or does he genuinely regret what he did?”

While she acknowledged that her family had ultimately forgiven the megachurch pastor, she pointed out that she never approved or supported his return to church ministry.

“I think sometimes political leaders get misled and think it’s our responsibility to protect God when that’s not the case,” Clemishire said.

“Our responsibility is to protect people. God is bigger than all that.”