KATY, Texas — While Gateway Church in Southlake remains embroiled in child abuse allegations against founding pastor Robert Morris, an offshoot of the megachurch in Houston is changing its name.
Gateway Houston announced on social media that will be called Newlands Church.
“We believe the best is yet to come, and we can’t wait to see what God has in store as we go on a journey to know God, belong to a family, discover purpose, and build the Kingdom,” the church posted as part of their message about the name change.
The church in the Houston area launched in 2020 with its first permanent location in Katy and then another in Magnolia.
RELATED: 'We are deeply sorry': Gateway Church cancels major conference in wake of Robert Morris resignation
“This church is more than a name on a building, it is full of people who are willing to say yes to God, pray consistently, give generously, and serve sacrificially to see people everywhere know God, belong to a family, discover purpose, and build a kingdom,” Pastor Ethan Fisher said in a video released on their website.
Fisher said the Houston church aims to create a distinct localized identity for themselves.
This all comes after the resignation of Morris in North Texas.
Our sister station in Dallas, WFAA, reported that Morris founded Gateway Church and led the massive congregation for decades before his resignation in June after allegations of sexual abuse surfaced.
The fallout began when Cindy Clemishire, Morris' accuser, came forward with her story that alleged Morris began sexually abusing her in the early 1980s. She was 12 at the time and Morris was in his 20s.
After the allegations were made public, Morris admitted to his congregation that he was "involved in inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady," though he did not mention the girl's age.
Overwhelming public backlash followed and Morris ultimately resigned from the church on June 18.
