Former Gateway Pastor Robert Morris Released From Jail After 6 Months
Robert Morris, former pastor of megachurch Gateway Church in the Dallas area, was released from Osage County Jail in Oklahoma after serving his six-month term for sexually abusing Cindy Clemishire in the 1980s.
Morris pleaded guilty in October 2025 to five felony counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Morris was given a 10-year prison sentence but was only required to serve 6 months in county jail.
Morris plans to live in a lakefront home in Palo Pinto County, Texas, for his 9.5 years of probation and must also register as a sex offender, according to reporting by KTBS. Morris was also ordered to pay $250,000 in restitution to Clemishire.
Clemishire reacted to Morris’ release in a statement. “Today marks another chapter in a long journey. While his release is part of the legal process, my focus remains on the truth that was finally brought into the light,” she said, according to reporting by CBS. “I am deeply grateful to Oklahoma AG Gentner Drummond, District Attorney Gayland Gieger, investigator Kylie Turner, and every individual who worked tirelessly to pursue justice. I’m also incredibly thankful for the unwavering support of my family, friends, and community. I will continue to stand for truth, for justice, and for every survivor who is still finding their voice.”
Morris also issued a statement after his release. He began by thanking his friends and family for their support and prayers during his incarceration.
He then directed a portion of his statement to Clemishire. “What I did to Cindy decades ago was wrong. There is no other word for it, and there is no excuse for it. I am deeply sorry.” he said. “I have carried the weight of that wrong for a very long time, and I am grateful — genuinely grateful — that the Clemishires had the courage to bring this into the light. It is only in the light that things can truly be addressed and healed.”
He then “publicly and sincerely” asked for Clemishire’s forgiveness.
In addressing the “Body of Christ,” Morris said he was sorry for the “damage” he had caused to many believers and that he carries the “weight” of that.
“I intend to live quietly and with integrity, and to be the kind of husband, father, grandfather, and man who reflects that mercy in how he treats others,” he said about his future plans.
Meanwhile, the Oklahoma House of Representatives unanimously passed a piece of legislation that would make nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) in child sexual abuse cases void and unenforceable. They named it the “Cindy Clemishire Act.”
In addition to making NDAs unenforceable, it also removes the statute of limitations for sexual crimes committed against children.
The law now moves to the Oklahoma Senate for consideration.
This article was originally published by MinistryWatch.
Kim Roberts is a freelance writer who holds a Juris Doctorate with honors from Baylor University and an undergraduate degree in government from Angelo State University. She has three young adult children who were home schooled and is happily married to her husband of 28 years.