“The matter has been properly disclosed to church leadership,” they added.
Morris told staff that when he was in his “early twenties” he was “involved in inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady in a home where I was staying.”
He continued, “It was kissing and petting and not intercourse, but it was wrong.”
Morris admitted that his behavior took place on “several occasions over the next few years. In March of 1987, this situation was brought to light, and it was confessed and repented of. I submitted myself to the Elders of Shady Grove Church and the young lady’s father.”
It was at that time, he shared, that “they asked me to step out of ministry and receive counseling and freedom ministry, which I did.”
“Since that time, I have walked in purity and accountability in this area,” Morris said, adding that he “stepped back into ministry with the full blessing of the elders and her father” in March 1989.
Morris said that in October 1989, he and his wife “met with her and her family, and I asked their forgiveness, and they graciously forgave me.” He continued, “This sin was dealt with correctly by confession and repentance, which I did in 1987 and 1989.”
Clemishire countered Morris’ version of events, telling The Christian Post, “My father never ever gave his blessing on Robert returning to ministry! My father told him he’s lucky he didn’t kill him.”
“I am mortified that he is telling the world my dad gave his blessing! Of course, we forgive because we are called to biblically forgive those who sin against us,” she added. “But that does not mean he is supposed to go on without repercussions.”
In 2005, Morris offered Clemishire $25,000 to sign a non-disclosure agreement. At the time, Clemishire was seeking $50,000 from Morris so that she could pay for abuse counseling. Clemishire declined to sign the agreement.
“I don’t think he ever should have been allowed to be in the ministry,” she told The Christian Post. “We would never allow someone to go teach in a school…work in a daycare or be a doctor if anybody had done these things. And I have a very difficult time believing I’m the only one.”
Clemishire has told news outlets that she has attempted to tell her story for years because she is afraid that she might not be the only person Morris has sexually abused. However, she said, her story has never received much attention.
Morris did not preach at Gateway Church Sunday following the allegations and nothing was mentioned regarding Morris’ past “inappropriate sexual behavior” during the livestream.
