Oklahoma woman tells of alleged sexual abuse by pastor of Texas megachurch

EDMOND, Oklahoma – A Texas pastor of a popular megachurch has resigned following allegations of sexual abuse. Pastor Robert Morris was a member of former President Donald Trump’s evangelical advisory board. The woman who made the allegations is from the Edmond area.

On Tuesday, Morris, who founded the Gateway Church near Dallas, resigned after Cindy Clemishire came forward with allegations of sexual abuse by Morris. It is too late to prosecute Morris, but Clemishire agreed to share her story to inspire other potential survivors to share theirs.

“It’s too much for a child,” Clemishire said. “There’s a lot of guilt and a lot of shame.”

Clemishire has memories that she only understood after some time.

“Eighteen years to truly recognize and accept what he did to me,” she said.

Clemishire’s family was very close to Morris in the 1980s.

“Robert and Debbie were like part of our family,” Clemishire said.

Clemishire said Morris traveled to various churches as a pastor. He visited her home in Hominy, Osage County, on Christmas Eve 1982. Clemishire was 12 years old at the time.

“That’s when he started sexually abusing me,” Clemishire said. “That night he told me I couldn’t tell anyone because it would ruin everything.”

Clemishire demanded restitution in 2005. In an email to Clemishire, Morris wrote: “My attorney advises that if I pay you money under threat of exposure, you could be subject to criminal prosecution.”

“There was a lot of anger back then,” she said.

In a 2014 sermon, Morris recounts a personal history of sexual misconduct.

“I learned to lie and manipulate,” Morris told his congregation in 2014. “I didn’t want to be rejected. I looked for girls who didn’t have a good relationship with their father.”

Clemishire detailed the four and a half years she said Morris abused her in the religious watchdog blog The Wartburg Watch. Four days later, Morris resigned.

“I was not deprived of a father’s love,” Clemishire said. “I was an innocent child. For me, it’s about, ‘Let’s find out who all knew.'”

According to CBS News and the Associated Press, Gateway Elders said in a statement that they would launch an investigation to “fully understand the events” from 1982 to 1987.

“It’s very hard,” Clemishire said. “It’s still hard.”

Clemishire is continuing as best she can. She didn’t do it alone.

“Fortunately, my faith has remained strong,” Clemishire said. “I’ve had a great family my whole life.”

Stories can heal and remind. Clemishire said she was proud she came forward.

“I hope and pray that every victim who hears this realizes it was not their fault,” Clemishire said.

Clemishire believes there is more testimony to come, and she will be there to listen.

“Come forward,” she said. “I believe you. You won’t be alone.”

In a statement to The Christian Post, Morris admitted to engaging in “inappropriate sexual conduct toward a young lady.” News 9 contacted Robert Morris for comment on this story. Morris did not respond by press time Friday evening.

Morris was never charged or investigated by police in the case. The statute of limitations has expired. Clemishire said she is working with lawmakers in Oklahoma and Texas to change the statute of limitations and help survivors find justice.