In a shocking turn of events, the Gateway Church community across North Texas has been struggling to come to terms with the news that their founding pastor, Robert Morris, has been accused of sexually assaulting a child in the 1980s. The revelation has prompted Morris to resign from his role earlier this week, leaving the congregation in a state of disbelief and grief.

The Southlake location of the Gateway Church witnessed a crowded Saturday service, with the congregation still grappling with the disturbing allegations against their former pastor. Tra Willbanks, an elder of the church, began the service with a heartfelt message addressing the church community's emotional turmoil.

Expressing his shock and devastation, Willbanks said, "As an elder, I did not know the truth and, frankly, like many of you, my wife and I are shocked, devastated, and grieving." He extended his personal sympathy to the accuser, Cindy Clemishire, acknowledging the weight she carried for so many years. Willbanks offered a sincere apology to Clemishire, expressing remorse for the pain she endured.

According to Clemishire, the alleged abuse persisted until 1987. During this time, Morris, who was working as a traveling evangelist, had a close relationship with the accuser's family. In a statement to the Christian Post, Morris admitted to "inappropriate sexual behavior." Meanwhile, church elders confirmed that the allegations had emerged 35 years ago, leading Morris to step away for two years to undergo counseling.

Elder Willbanks emphasized the church's commitment to uncovering the truth, stating, "Simply put, abuse in any form cannot be tolerated, and we as elders have the responsibility to do whatever it takes to learn the truth." However, outside the Saturday service, protesters took a more critical stance, displaying signs in support of Morris' accuser and demanding that the church prioritize the safety of children.

Lori Arnold, one of the protesters, voiced her concerns, stating, "When I heard that this pastor had gotten away with molesting a child and is now worth 100 million dollars and has people following him in this church, I felt like a voice needed to be heard for the voiceless." The protesters called for both accountability from church leadership and justice for the victim.

Despite the turmoil, some longtime church members like Lou Comunale expressed their support for the church's actions. Comunale commended the church's response, stating, "I think it was on target, I think he did not hide behind the shame... this church is going to thrive because they fessed up." Comunale reiterated the importance of focusing on Jesus Christ rather than solely relying on one individual.

Responding to the severity of the allegations, the Gateway Church announced that it has engaged an external law firm to undertake an independent inquiry into the accusations. This step demonstrates the church's commitment to transparency and a thorough investigation.

As the congregation continues to grapple with the fallout of these distressing allegations, the Gateway Church remains committed to addressing the situation head-on and ensuring the safety and well-being of its members. The ongoing investigation will provide crucial insights and determine the appropriate actions to be taken.