Gateway Church, based in Southlake, Texas, has made the decision to cancel its annual conference scheduled for September. This announcement comes in the aftermath of child sex abuse allegations against founding pastor Robert Morris, who resigned earlier this summer.

The church stated that they felt it was best not to proceed with the Gateway Conference at this time, as they are still dealing with Robert Morris’ resignation and the emotions surrounding it. They expressed deep regret for the pain caused to the survivor, other abuse survivors, and the Church community as a whole.

Full refunds will be issued to those who had already registered for the conference. The Gateway Conference, which aims to bless, empower, and equip the local church, usually attracts thousands of church pastors, leaders, and staff members.

Last year’s conference featured speakers like Robert Morris’ son, James Morris, who also resigned from Gateway following his father’s scandal. Additionally, longtime Dallas pastor Tony Evans, who resigned from his church in June, was also a speaker at the event.

Why did Robert Morris resign from Gateway Church?

Robert Morris, the founder of Gateway Church, stepped down after allegations of sexual abuse surfaced. The accuser, Cindy Clemishire, claimed that Morris had sexually abused her when she was 12 years old in the early 1980s.

In a public address, Morris admitted to engaging in inappropriate behavior with a young woman without specifying her age. The backlash from the allegations led to his resignation on June 18.

For more coverage on Gateway Church from WFAA, stay tuned for updates.