In a shocking development, Robert Morris, the founder and senior pastor of Gateway Church in North Texas, has tendered his resignation following allegations of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl during the 1980s. The Board of Elders at Gateway Church, a multi-site megachurch based in Southlake, released a statement confirming Morris's resignation and expressing their intention to conduct a thorough review of the allegations.

The allegations against Morris suggest that he engaged in a sexual relationship with a minor between 1982 and 1987, when he was a traveling Evangelist in his early 20s. The accuser, Cindy Clemishire, publicly came forward on June 14, accusing Morris of repeatedly molesting her during that time period.

According to the statement released by the church elders, they were not fully aware of the details of the alleged sexual assault, including Clemishire's age at the time and the duration of the abuse. The statement expressed the elders' shock and heartbreak at the revelations, conveying their sympathy to the victim and her family. They also expressed gratitude that the situation has come to light and acknowledged the pain and hurt experienced by those affected.

Gateway Church, initially founded by Morris in Southlake in 2000, has since grown to encompass nine campuses in North Texas, making it one of the largest evangelical churches in the United States. The allegations against Morris were first made public by The Wartburg Watch, a church watchdog blog based in North Carolina, and were subsequently reported by The Christian Post.

Morris himself admitted to "inappropriate sexual behavior" in a statement to The Christian Post, acknowledging involvement in kissing and petting with a young lady while staying at a home when he was in his early twenties. In a sermon given ten years ago, Morris openly discussed his past struggles with sexual immorality as a teenager.

In response to the allegations, the church elders have engaged the services of a law firm to conduct a comprehensive review of the allegations. Their primary focus is to gain a complete understanding of the events and provide a path towards healing for all those affected.

As the Gateway Church community grapples with this deeply troubling situation, the resignation of its founder and senior pastor has sent shockwaves through the congregations. The coming weeks will undoubtedly be a period of introspection and reflection as the church seeks to address these grave allegations and support those impacted.