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 Texas Megachurch Accepts Senior Pastor’s Resignation Following Allegations of 'Inappropriate Relationship' with Minor

Pastor Robert Morris is pictured on June 11, 2020, in Dallas. (Alex Brandon/AP/File)

The elders expressed they were “heartbroken and appalled” and extended their sympathy to the victim and her family.

"When I was in my early twenties, I was involved in inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady in a home where I was staying. It involved kissing and petting, but not intercourse. It was wrong and occurred on several occasions over the next few years," the pastor said in a statement.

The woman, Cindy Clemishire, told WFAA that the abuse began on Christmas Day in 1982 and continued until 1987, when she disclosed it to her parents. The Wartburg Watch, a church watchdog blog, first reported her account on Friday.

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Clemishire expressed mixed feelings about Morris' resignation in a statement released through her attorney.

“Though I am grateful that he is no longer a pastor at Gateway, I am disappointed that the Board of Elders allowed him to resign,” she said. “He should have been terminated.”

Morris' behavior was "brought to light" in 1987 while he was a pastor at Shady Grove Church in Grand Prairie, which has since become one of Gateway Church's 11 locations, WFAA reported.

“In March of 1987, this situation was brought to light, and it was confessed and repented of. I submitted myself to the Elders of Shady Grove Church and the young lady’s father. They asked me to step out of ministry and receive counseling and freedom ministry, which I did. Since that time, I have walked in purity and accountability in this area,” Morris said in his statement, adding that he and his wife met with the survivor and her family in 1989.

“I asked their forgiveness, and they graciously forgave me,” he said.

Clemishire told WFAA that while her family forgave him, they never supported Morris' return to ministry.

"I think leaders can get caught up and think it’s our responsibility to protect God and it’s not. Our responsibility is to protect the people,” she added. “God is bigger than all of that.”