Former Megachurch Pastor Sued Over Sexual Assault Allegations

A woman has filed a lawsuit against a former Texas megachurch pastor, alleging she was sexually assaulted and abused at the age of 12.

The lawsuit, submitted this week in Dallas County District Court, accuses Gateway Church founder Robert Morris and others of malicious actions, slander, failure to report the abuse, civil conspiracy, and emotional distress, among other claims. They are seeking over $1 million in damages.

Cindy Kremisher, along with her father Jerry Lee Kremisher, filed the lawsuit nearly a year after bringing her allegations to light through the religious watchdog blog Wartburg Watch.

Cindy, now 53, claims she met Morris in 1981 while he was preaching at her church in Oklahoma, where her family approached him. She alleges that he inappropriately touched her while staying at their home in 1982, with the abuse continuing over the next four and a half years.

In March, an Oklahoma judge charged Morris with five counts of indecency or vulgarity with a child. He is currently out on bond.

According to a report by Affiliate Fox 4, Cindy’s lawsuit asserts that Morris’ wife, son, and church members attempted to conceal the abuse for monetary gain.

“The defendants acted in concert, cooperated with each other, and conspired to maximize their interests through an illegal and unjust course of action to unfairly conceal and cover up the plaintiff’s rape,” the court documents state.

Morris resigned in June 2024 and subsequently filed a lawsuit against Gateway Church, claiming that his supposed “very inappropriate” relationships with minors do not constitute a breach of contract, and that the church should uphold its financial obligations to him.

Church officials indicated they had been receiving deferred compensation and additional retirement benefits as reported.

Gateway Church has opted not to comment on the matter.