From 2003 to 2023, Copeland served at Gateway Church in Dallas. That embattled megachurch also has been losing staff members all summer, beginning with founder Robert Morris. As ChurchLeaders has reported, Morris resigned in June after an alleged child sex abuse scandal came to light.
RELATED: ‘In the Midst of Navigating Robert Morris’ Resignation,’ Gateway Church Cancels Annual Conference
Gateway is facing several abuse-related lawsuits, including one in which Copeland was named. A former employee who alleged mistreatment from a Gateway pastor claimed that when she talked to Copeland about it, he was sympathetic but didn’t act. Copeland also “aggressively confronted” the former employee, she alleged, and “threatened to fire her if she didn’t shut up and stop stirring up drama.”
