Tora Wilbank, a longtime elder at Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, has advice for victims of sexual abuse by current or former leaders: “First, call the police.” ” has been corrected to report.
“During the course of our investigation, we are relieved to share with you that Haynes and Boone were unaware of any other allegations of sexual assault by Robert Morris. Therefore, no other abuse by him was reported. Nothing has been disclosed in the investigation. At this time, we are not aware of any other allegations of sexual assault by Robert Morris. To our knowledge, there are no other victims other than Cindy Kremischer. ” Wilbanks told the congregation Sunday morning, reading from a prepared statement.
“But I want to be clear to all of you sitting here today, and to all of you who are not with us but who may hear or read our comments: If you or someone you know If you are a survivor of sexual abuse, a current or former leader of this church, and do not feel comfortable sharing your story, please contact us directly at connect@gatewayelders.com. Mr. Wilbanks continued.
During the church's Saturday afternoon service, Wilbank called on members to report any allegations of sexual abuse by current or former leaders to the church. christian post I will report it.
Survivor Advocate Amy Smith posted Wilbank's comments, writing, “In a now-deleted video on Gateway Church's YouTube account, Elder Tora Wilbanks told church members yesterday that Gateway Church “Instructed church elders to report allegations of sexual abuse in an email to church elders, but did not mention reporting to the church.” Law enforcement. ”
In a now-deleted video posted to Gateway Church's YouTube account, Elder Tora Wilbanks yesterday told members of the church about sexual abuse at Gateway Church, without mentioning reporting them to law enforcement. He instructed them to submit their complaints to the church elders via email. @GatewayPeople pic.twitter.com/kPpqMpgnoB
— Amy Smith (@watchkeep) November 3, 2024
she too pointed out Gateway Church was criticized on social media for advising people to report crimes to elders rather than police.
“Elder Tora Wilbanks yesterday directed church members to submit allegations of sexual abuse at Gateway to church elders via email, without mentioning reporting to law enforcement,” Smith said. said. noticed X Sunday pointed out the contradiction between the two statements.
In a statement given to the church by Mr Wilbanks on Sunday, victims were advised to first call the police and only call the church if they felt it was necessary.
“If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse by current or former leaders of this church and you are not comfortable coming forward with your story, please do so. Please go to the police first. If you have any information you think we, as Gateway leaders, need to know, please contact us directly at connect@gatewayelders.com,” Wilbanks advised. “Your email will be kept strictly confidential. And to anyone in the world. If you were a victim of sexual abuse as a child, please know that you cannot consent. Children cannot consent to sexual abuse.”
@watchkeep I'm looking forward to it #greenscreenvideo #greenscreen In a now-deleted video posted to Gateway Church's YouTube account, Elder Tora Wilbanks yesterday told members of the church about sexual abuse at Gateway Church, without mentioning reporting them to law enforcement. He instructed them to submit their complaints to the church elders via email.#GatewayChurch #Shewas12 #nota drag queen #church ♬ Original song – Mitan
When asked why Wilbanks did not first tell the congregation that he would report the abuse to the police, a spokesperson for Gateway Church told The Christian Post on Tuesday, “The elders available on Gateway's YouTube That message is all we can offer.” At the moment. “
Gateway Church founder Robert Morris left Gateway Church on June 18, days after Cindy Klemisher, 54, claimed that Morris sexually abused her from the time she was 12 years old in the 1980s. I resigned. The abuse began on December 25, 1982, and continued for four and a half years before it was discovered. However, Morris was allowed to return to the ministry.
At the time the allegations were raised, Morris initially confessed to The Christian Post that he had engaged in “inappropriate sexual conduct with young women” more than 35 years ago, repented and returned to public office. He said he did.
Gateway Church elders, who commissioned an independent investigation into Kremischer's allegations, initially defended Morris, saying he was a married itinerant preacher at the time of the abuse allegations and had repented and returned to the ministry on a Biblical basis. .
The Elders have since amended their public statements regarding the allegations in the report. announcement He spoke about Morris' resignation and explained that he had no knowledge that Morris had committed child sexual abuse.
Wilbanks said the findings of the Haynes & Boone investigation, which was completed several weeks ago, were initially presented to a subcommittee of elders that condemned sexual abuse “in all its forms.”
“What happened to Cindy was heartbreaking and despicable, and we condemn all forms of sexual abuse,” he said. “While we are deeply saddened by the victims of such despicable acts, we would like to thank her for taking a moment to share her courage and tell her story to raise awareness of this issue. I would like to thank Cindy for making a positive impact on countless lives.”
Watch: Gateway Church Live | Updates from the Elders | November 2nd-3rd
Photo provided by: ©YouTube/gateway church
