Who is Robert Morris’ wife? Family details as Texas megachurch founder admits guilt in child abuse case

Robert Morris, the founder and longtime pastor of Gateway Church in Southlake’s Dallas-Fort Worth suburb, is trending after pleading guilty to child s*x abuse allegations on October 2, 2025. The sentencing comes nearly seven months after Morris surrendered himself in Osage County.

Morris, who established Gateway Church about 20 years ago and also served on former President Donald Trump’s evangelical advisory board, has been sentenced to 10 years. As part of the sentence, he will serve six months in prison followed by probation. According to People magazine, he must also cover incarceration and medical expenses, pay restitution to the victim, and register as a s*x offender.

BREAKING: Trump ally and former Texas megachurch pastor Robert Morris pleads guilty to sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl in the 1980s. pic.twitter.com/jEtNB4V88B

— Alex Cole (@acnewsitics) October 2, 2025

Allegations and Victim’s Claims

The charges trace back to allegations made by Cindy Clemenshire in June 2024. Speaking to WFPA, Clemenshire claimed Morris molested her at the age of 12 while she was a traveling evangelist. She said the abuse occurred between 1982 and 1987, when Morris was a family friend, and noted that she attempted to file a lawsuit against him in 2005. Her account later appeared on the blog The Wartburg Watch.

WFPA also obtained a statement from Morris, who admitted to s*xual involvement with a young woman. He said the matter became public in 1987, after which he repented and submitted himself to the Elders of Shady Grove Church and the young woman’s father. He added that he stepped out of ministry and underwent counseling and “freedom ministry.”

Family Involvement in Gateway Church

Robert Morris is married to Debbie Morris, who has long served as Gateway Church’s executive pastor of women’s ministry. She is also the author of The Blessed Woman, published by Penguin Random House.

The couple has three children: James, Elaine, and Josh Morris. All three have worked with Gateway Church over the years. James, who began serving in various roles at the church in 2012, made headlines in July 2024 when he and his wife, Bridgette—then an executive pastor of ministry experience and communication—resigned from Gateway.

In April 2025, James launched a new church called Passage, located just six minutes from his father’s church. The opening drew protests amid concerns about a possible link between the two churches. CBS News later reported a clarification from Passage Church, which stated:

“The only ‘connection’ that we have is the same connection that we have with all Christian churches, which is that all churches are connected by being the Bride of Christ. The blood of Jesus connects us with all churches in the world that profess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.”

Meanwhile, Robert Morris’ daughter Elaine Fisher and son Josh have also been active in Gateway Church.

Current Status

Despite ongoing controversies, Morris has largely kept his personal life away from public attention. His family members have not issued any statements regarding the recent allegations or his guilty plea.

Read Moire: Who is Mahmood Abdulla? All About the Voice Behind Emiratisation and Strategy