Robert Morris, the founding pastor of Southlake’s Gateway Church, appeared in an Osage County courtroom Thursday and waived his right to a preliminary hearing in the criminal case accusing him of sexually abusing a child in the 1980s.
With that fast-tracked move, an arraignment is now set for October 2, where Morris - who has pleaded not guilty to five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a minor - will face a formal reading of the charges by a judge.
The allegations stem from accusations by Cindy Clemishire, who says Morris began abusing her when she was 12, spanning roughly four years during the early 1980s. She first went public with her claims in 2024, prompting Morris to resign from Gateway Church and opening both criminal and civil proceedings.
Meanwhile, legal tensions are mounting on a second front. Morris is also demanding over $1 million in retirement benefits from Gateway Church, citing a verbal agreement.
The church disputes the claim, pointing to policies that void such benefits if a pastor is dismissed for conduct that harms its reputation. A judge has granted both sides 30 days to agree on an arbitrator to resolve the dispute.
In addition, Clemishire and her father have filed a $1 million civil lawsuit in Dallas County against Morris, his wife, Gateway Church, and other leaders.
The suit alleges a pattern of defamation, a cover-up, and emotional harm linked to the institution’s handling of her abuse claims. The case is eyeing a trial date of June 15, 2026.
Together, these developments form a complex legal landscape for the once-celebrated church leader - both in criminal court and in civil disputes that span state lines.
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