Gateway Church

The woman who accused Gateway Church’s founding pastor Robert Morris of sexually abusing her when she was a child is suing the megachurch, Morris and his wife for defamation and failing to report the alleged abuse. Four church elders deny any wrongdoing in recent court filings.

For over a year, Gateway Church has been in search of a new pastor to guide the congregation into its next chapter following the resignation of founder Robert Morris.

Thursday's court hearing came amid an ongoing legal dispute between Gateway Church and Robert Morris after the church denied his request for millions of dollars as part of his retirement.

Morris stepped down days after allegations he sexual abused Cindy Clemishire when she was a child.

Cindy Clemishire accused Robert Morris of sexually abusing her when she was a child — claims he referred to as a "inappropriate relationship with a young lady." Clemishire is suing Morris and Gateway Church for defamation her when she went public with her claims.

The Southlake-based megachurch named Daniel Floyd, founder of Lifepoint Church in Virginia, as its new senior pastor. Gateway founder Robert Morris resigned last June amid allegations of past sexual abuse of a child.

The church's founding pastor Robert Morris resigned last June after child sexual abuse allegations against him came to light.

Morris, who resigned last year from the Gateway megachurch, was indicted and arrested on five different counts of lewd or indecent acts to a child in March. He is set to make his first court appearance May 9.

Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare wants Christians to know “that it’s OK that the government stands up and honors God.”

The hearing included emotional testimony from Cindy Clemishire, who accused Southlake megachurch pastor Robert Morris of sexually abusing her as a child in the 1980s — allegations Morris has since been indicted on.

Robert Preston Morris' attorney says the former pastor is expected to appear Monday in Osage County, where he was charged last week with five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child.

Founding pastor Robert Morris stepped down from his position last June after child sexual abuse allegations resurfaced against him. He was indicted on five charges related to child sexual abuse Tuesday.