Gateway Church Abuse: How to Get Help
Gateway Church has faced a series of sexual abuse allegations and a mass exodus of members as the abuse continues to come to light. Learn your rights and options if you were impacted below.
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Author: Kathryn Kosmides
- Founded in 2000, Gateway Church grew to be one of the largest megachurches in the U.S., but attendance has dropped significantly as allegations come to light.
- Several lawsuits have been filed against the church and its leaders, alleging sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and beyond. If you have been impacted, we’re here to help.
Gateway Church Scandals: Sexual Abuse Allegations
Gateway Church is a non-denominational, evangelical Christian megachurch based in Southlake, TX, with multiple locations. The church has faced a series of sexual abuse allegations that began surfacing in June 2024.
Pastor Robert Morris founded Gateway Church in 2000, and it had grown to become the ninth-largest church in the United States in 2023. As of November 2024, at least three other pastors have reportedly left Gateway Church since Morris’ resignation.
Robert Morris resigned from his pastoral duties on June 18, 2024, after a series of allegations of sexual abuse against him became public. However, the claims against Morris are not the only sexual abuse allegations made against leaders of the Gateway church.
In August 2020, the parents of a minor sued Gateway Church and its clergy leaders, alleging that their child was sexually abused by a church member in 2018. The complaint claimed that church leaders knew about the abuse but delayed informing the parents, did not notify authorities, and tried to conceal the allegations and dismiss the mother from her religious duties. This case was reportedly settled in April 2024 for an undisclosed amount.
In 2023, a lawsuit was filed against Gateway Church by a former female employee alleging sexual harassment and discrimination. She alleged in her lawsuit that her boss, a male pastor, sexually harassed her for several years. While he was terminated in 2021, she was allegedly blamed for his firing and asked to resign. She rejected a six-month severance package if she resigned that day and was fired a few months later, according to the complaint. This case was settled in June 2024 for an undisclosed amount, according to court records.
In August 2024, a woman filed a lawsuit against Gateway church and a former member of her youth group, alleging she was sexually assaulted multiple times in 2016 when she was just 13 years old. The lawsuit alleges the church did nothing to prevent the series of assaults despite multiple surveillance cameras in the areas where she was abused. She alleges that the perpetrator may have abused other victims. The complaint says the alleged perpetrator is now in prison on charges stemming from an assault of another minor. The church has denied all claims, and the case is pending.
Meanwhile, a former Gateway Church volunteer was arrested in 2023 on charges of molesting two children under age 15. Scott Gerber, 65, reportedly served on the children’s altar prayer and prophetic teams. He is awaiting trial as of publication.
Rights & Options for Gateway Church Abuse Survivors
If you were sexually assaulted by a Gateway Church clergy member, pastor, youth pastor, leader, or church employee, you have legal rights and options.
Additionally, you also have legal rights and options if you were sexually assaulted by a Gateway Church member on church grounds or at a church-related event and believe the church knew or should have known of the abuse.
We’re here to help. If you contact us, we can connect you with an experienced clergy abuse lawyer who can provide a free consultation to help you understand the following options. The lawyers we work with represent clients on a contingency fee basis, meaning they do not charge anything upfront and only get paid if and when they recover compensation for you.
File a Police Report Against Gateway Church Leaders
If you experienced sexual abuse by a member or clergy leader of Gateway Church, you have the option to report the abuse to law enforcement. We understand that most individuals do not report sexual abuse immediately and that coming forward may take years.
An individual cannot press charges against someone—only prosecutors can. Prosecutors’ ability to pursue criminal charges depends on various factors, including the availability of evidence and the criminal statute of limitations. Importantly, even if the offense cannot be prosecuted, reporting the abuse creates a valuable paper trail if others come forward.
In Texas, the criminal statute of limitations for rape and other sexual offenses involving victims 18 or older is 10 years after the incident. There is no criminal statute of limitations for sexual assault of a minor. For other sexual crimes involving a victim under 17, the deadline for prosecutors to file criminal charges is the victim’s 38th birthday.
Helping Survivors can help you understand the process for reporting abuse to law enforcement should you wish to take this step.
Report Gateway Church Abuse to State Oversight Agencies
In Texas, individuals impacted by child sexual abuse by any individual, including clergy members or members of a religious organization, are encouraged to report the abuse to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, or DFPS. A report can be filed through the agency’s website. However, in an emergency, call the Texas Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-540.
Please note: As of November 2023, the DFPS can no longer accept anonymous reports.
Additionally, we recommend speaking with an experienced clergy abuse lawyer before submitting a report. A lawyer can ensure your rights are protected during the process. If you contact us today, we can connect you with an experienced lawyer for a free consultation.
File a Rikers Island Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
If you have been physically or sexually abused by a Gateway Church clergy member, employee, or volunteer, you might be eligible to pursue a civil lawsuit against the church and the perpetrator.
With a clergy sexual abuse lawsuit, you can pursue financial compensation for the harm. It will also create a public record documenting the abuse that may encourage other victims to come forward and aid them in their pursuit of justice.
In addition, you might be entitled to protect your identity by filing a claim “under seal” as a “Jane Doe” or “John Doe.”
As of September 2019, the civil statute of limitations in Texas now gives individuals 30 years from when they turn 18—their 48th birthday—to file a claim for child sexual abuse. The bill previously exempted churches and nonprofits from the expanded statute of limitations, but survivors protested, and the state legislature amended the bill to include them.
However, if the harm happened before 2019 and you were a minor, the previous 15-year civil statute of limitations for sexual abuse lawsuits applies. Whether the harm occurred recently or many years ago, you can still reach out to us, and we can connect you with an experienced clergy sexual abuse lawyer who can help determine if you can file a civil lawsuit. There are certain exceptions that may pause the statute of limitations, and current laws may allow your case to proceed.
If you were over 18 years old when you were harmed by a Gateway Church official, employee, or volunteer, the amount of time you have to file a claim may vary. Adult victims of sexual abuse and assault generally have five years to file suit.
While the civil statute of limitations in Texas is somewhat favorable to survivors, the longer you wait, the harder it can be to obtain justice, given factors like the availability of witnesses and evidence. We recommend speaking with an experienced clergy sexual abuse lawyer as soon as possible – and we can connect you with someone for free today.
How to File a Gateway Church Abuse Lawsuit
Suffering from sexual abuse by a clergy member can have lifelong impacts. However, many survivors never speak about the harm they experienced.
Whether you are just exploring your rights and options or are ready to take the step of filing a lawsuit, an experienced clergy abuse lawyer can help you be informed and empowered.
A lawsuit allows you to seek monetary compensation for your damages, including the following:
- Past medical and mental health expenses, including therapy costs
- Future mental health expenses, including therapy, medications, etc.
- Lost income and economic opportunities
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Other economic and non-economic damages
- Punitive damages
The steps to filing a lawsuit against Gateway Church for sexual abuse may involve:
- Document the Incident – Write down all details you remember, capture screenshots of any relevant evidence, list any witnesses’ names and contact information, and gather any other evidence you have.
- Consult an Attorney – As soon as possible, speak with a lawyer experienced in clergy abuse cases so they can navigate the necessary steps and procedures for you.
- Engage a Law Firm – Firms that handle these cases usually work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid after securing a settlement or verdict.
- Filing the Lawsuit – The steps may vary depending on your claims, but your law firm will handle all aspects of filing your lawsuit, allowing you to concentrate on your recovery.
- Court Appearances – Your attorney will handle any required court appearances and filings, and you will likely not need to be present.
- Discovery & Depositions – This involves collecting and exchanging evidence and information with the opposition. If you must testify under oath at a deposition, your lawyer will prepare you.
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Settlement Negotiations or Trial Proceedings – After the discovery phase, the parties will likely engage in settlement talks. If these talks fail to produce a settlement agreement, the case may proceed to trial.
An attorney experienced with these types of lawsuits can do the following:
- Investigate and collect evidence related to the abuse
- Assist with submitting formal complaints to religious oversight agencies
- Help Report the abuse to law enforcement if it has not already been done
- Draft and file a sexual abuse lawsuit against the perpetrator, Gateway Church, and other responsible parties
- Handle all communications with the opposition, its legal representatives, and the courts
- Negotiate with the opposition, its representatives, and its insurers for a potential settlement
- Represent you in all court appearances related to the case
- Try your case before a judge and jury if necessary
Every law firm Helping Survivors works with provides free consultations for clergy sexual abuse claims. They will explain your legal rights and options. If you choose to move forward with a lawsuit, they can represent you on a contingency fee basis, meaning they will charge no upfront costs and only get paid if and when they recover compensation for you.
We can connect you to an experienced, compassionate, and trauma-informed attorney today.
Gateway Church Abuse FAQs
Do I have a case for filing a Gateway Church sexual abuse lawsuit?
You likely have a case against Gateway Church if a church employee or volunteer has sexually assaulted you. Additionally, you might have a case if a church member assaulted you, and the church knew of the abuse and failed to prevent it or retaliated against you for reporting it.
To learn if you have a claim, speak to an experienced attorney as soon as possible.
Can I file a lawsuit even if the harm happened years ago?
In general, the Texas civil statute of limitations for a sexual abuse lawsuit involving minor victims is 30 years from the individual’s 18th birthday if the harm occurred after September 1, 2019. If the harm happened before that date, individuals have 15 years from their 18th birthday to file a civil lawsuit for sexual abuse.
Adult victims have a much shorter time to file. Also, for other forms of harm, such as sexual harassment or employment discrimination, the civil statute of limitations in Texas differs.
Regardless of when the harm happened, we recommend contacting us so we can review the specifics of your case. You might still be able to file a lawsuit against Gateway Church based on various factors.
Does it cost money to file a lawsuit against Gateway Church?
No, it should not cost you anything out-of-pocket to pursue a lawsuit against Gateway Church. Most law firms experienced with such cases take them on a contingency fee basis, meaning they collect a percentage of the award or settlement if they recover compensation for you.
What is the average settlement for clergy abuse lawsuits?
There is not a set value for clergy abuse lawsuits, as compensation and the time needed to settle claims can vary depending on the abuse’s severity and the case’s specific details.
The previous settlements for lawsuits filed against Gateway Church are undisclosed, although an experienced attorney may be able to estimate your potential monetary compensation.
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