Gateway Church Houston is changing its name amid the ongoing scandal surrounding Robert Morris, the founder of its parent church.
In June, Morris resigned in disgrace after allegations came to light that he sexually abused a 12-year-old girl in the 1980s. The alleged abuse happened before Morris founded Gateway Church, and he was in his 20s at the time.
Gateway Church has retained a law firm to conduct an independent inquiry related to Morris’s past.
James Morris, son of Robert Morris and heir apparent to the senior pastor role, later resigned his role at the church. James’s wife Bridgette, who had been serving as an executive pastor, likewise resigned. The couple maintain that they had no knowledge of Robert Morris’s alleged abuse.
The church also parted ways with Steve Dulin, a founding board member who served as the church’s Executive Pastor of Kingdom Business Leaders.
Gateway Church has been sued more than once for its alleged mishandling of abuse claims.
Gateway Houston was founded in 2020 by Ethan Fisher, who is also the son-in-law of Robert Morris. The church has two locations—one in Katy, Texas, and the other in Magnolia, Texas.
In a video announcement, Fisher indicated his belief that Gateway Houston, which will now be called Newlands Church, is “in the middle of a miracle.”
“This church is more than a name on a building,” Fisher said. “It is full of people who are willing to say yes to God, to pray consistently, give generously, and serve sacrificially to see people everywhere know God, belong to family, discover purpose, and build the Kingdom.”
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“Every path we have walked has been following the voice of God as he builds his church. God is doing a new thing in our community,” Fisher continued. “As we launched Gateway Houston, it was full of the legacy and heritage of those who have gone before us, and I am truly grateful.”
