Gateway Church Pastor Robert Morris Resigns Amid Sex Abuse Allegation

Robert Morris, the founding pastor of Gateway Church in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, has resigned after a woman accused him of sexual abuse. The allegation surfaced in a lawsuit filed by the woman, who claims the abuse occurred while she was a teenager in the 1980s. Morris denied the allegations in a video message to church members, stating that the accusations were "false and defamatory." He also announced his resignation, explaining that he wanted to avoid further harm to the church and his family. The lawsuit, filed in Dallas County, alleges that Morris groomed the woman and sexually assaulted her repeatedly while she was a member of his youth group at another church in Texas. The woman, identified as 'Jane Doe' in the lawsuit, is seeking unspecified damages. Gateway Church's leadership has announced that it will launch an independent investigation into the allegations. Morris has been a prominent figure in the Christian evangelical community, known for his best-selling books and television programs. He founded Gateway Church in 1990 and has since grown it into one of the largest churches in the United States. The news of his resignation has sent shockwaves through the Christian community.

Summary

"The resignation of Robert Morris from Gateway Church highlights the ongoing issue of sexual abuse allegations within religious institutions. While Morris denies the accusations, the lawsuit and subsequent investigation may shed light on the claims and potentially have significant implications for the church and its leader."