Concerns regarding Gateway Church The conduct of founding pastor Robert Morris was raised nearly forty years ago, before the allegations against him were made sexual abuse of a teenage girl in the 1980s.

“What happened? Cindy Clemishire was heartbreaking and disgusting,” Tra Willbanks said at the start of Sunday’s service.

“We have denounced sexual abuse in all its forms and feel deep compassion for those who have fallen victim to such abhorrent acts,” Willbanks said.

Willbanks updated members on the results of the independent investigation by law firm Haynes and Boone. It was launched after Cindy Clemishire made allegations when she was 12 years old Robert Morris when he was in his 20s.

Willbanks acknowledged that some church leaders knew about the allegations and did nothing about them. The church also acknowledged that a criminal investigation is currently underway against the church, but said the current leadership was not affected.

“I met Robert Morris as a member of Shady Grove Church in the late 1980s,” said Michelle Sidler.

Sidler said it was there that she first raised concerns about Morris, which she had shared with church leaders at Shady Grove Church prior to Morris’ founding Gateway Church.

“They just said, ‘Okay, Michelle, you just need to calm down. There’s no evidence of this or that,'” Sidler said.

Sidler said her decision to finally speak out is not about destroying Gateway Church, but about accountability and healing for what Robert Morris is accused of.

“What matters is the truth and that people are held accountable,” Sidler said.

Gateway Church acquired Shady Grove Church in 2013. Sidler decided to finally speak out after the internal investigation was published.

“We will not let this rest until justice is served,” Sidler said.

This all comes while some Members are suing Gateway Church over allegations of financial misconduct.