Pastor and best-selling author Max Lucado He was appointed interim teaching pastor at Gateway Church after Robert Morris’ son, James Morris, and his wife, Bridget, resigned. according to Church LeadersJames was the associate senior pastor of Gateway Church and was set to succeed his father, Robert Morris, who founded Gateway. Resigned Last month, Cindy Klemischer came forward with allegations that she was sexually abused when she was 12 in the 1980s.
James claims she was unaware of her father’s sexual abuse, but the law firm Haynes & Boone has advised her to take a leave of absence from the church board while an independent investigation into her father’s past is conducted.
“Earlier this week, (church) elders met with Pastor James and Pastor Bridget and unanimously decided that Pastor James and Pastor Bridget will step down from their current positions and lead Gateway Church going forward,” the church said in a statement. statement It was acquired by CBS Texas.
“We the elders affirm and believe that God has placed in Pastor James and Bridget’s hearts a desire to serve as senior pastors of the church sometime in the future,” the statement added. “We love Pastor James and Bridget and their children, and we are so grateful that they care deeply for them and have dedicated their lives to Gateway Church.”
“They have been part of Gateway Church for many years and have faithfully and honorably served our congregation and this community,” the statement said.
Lucado, pastor of Oak Hills Church, was a guest speaker at Gateway less than two weeks ago, and Joakim Lundqvist, pastor and international ambassador for Word of Life Church in Uppsala, Sweden, will “take on a more pastoral role with staff.”
It is unclear whether the Gateway Church has formally notified its more than 25,000 members of James and Bridget’s resignations.
“Dear Gateway Family, thank you for your patience as we prayerfully navigate this time of transition. While the independent investigation is still ongoing, the Presbytery will be sharing some important updates during worship services this weekend,” Gateway Church said. statement On social media.
“We are receiving these updates from the elders together as a church family, so we encourage you to attend our worship service on campus. We love you, we are praying for you, and we are so grateful that you are a part of our church family.”
Photo credit: ©YouTube/Gateway Church
