On Thursday (July 25), Gateway Church released a statement informing the public that James Morris, the son of Robert Morris, has resigned from his position at the church. James Morris’s wife, Bridgette, has also resigned.
James was Gateway Church’s associate senior pastor and the planned successor to his father. He had been set to assume the role of senior pastor in 2025. Bridgette was Gateway Church’s executive pastor.
James claims he has no prior knowledge of his father’s alleged child sexual abuse, which is alleged to have taken place during the 1980s. Nevertheless, last month, Haynes and Boone, LLP advised him to take a leave of absence from the church’s board while an independent inquiry into his father’s past was conducted.
Earlier this month, ChurchLeaders reported that the Gateway Church congregation gave James and Bridgette a standing ovation during one of its worship services.
After seeking the “advice of many well-respected pastors and ministry leaders,” Gateway Church elders decided it was best that both James and Bridgette step down from their positions at Gateway Church.
In statement acquired by CBS Texas, Gateway Church said, “Earlier this week, the (church) elders met with Pastors James and Bridgette and they collectively made the decision that Pastors James and Bridgette would both step down from their current positions and from leading Gateway Church in the future.”
“We as elders affirm and believe that God has placed a desire in both Pastors James and Bridgette’s hearts to serve as senior pastors of a church at some point in the future,” the statement added. “We love Pastors James and Bridgette and their children. We deeply care about them and sincerely thank them for investing their lives here at Gateway Church.”
“They have faithfully and honorably served our congregation and this community through all the years that they have been part of Gateway Church,” the statement said.
RELATED: Robert Morris’ Son, 3 Others Taking Temporary Leave From Gateway Church’s Elder Board
Gateway Church announced that Oak Hills Church pastor and best-selling author Max Lucado will assume the role of interim teaching pastor at Gateway Church. Lucado was a guest speaker at Gateway Church less than two weeks ago.
, Gateway Church released a statement informing the public that James Morris, the son of Robert Morris, has resigned from his position at the church. James Morris' wife, Bridgette, has also resigned. ){kind=link}