Several months after an internal investigation led to the firing of multiple gateway elders, the church announced it would add four new elders.
DALLAS — Gateway Church added four new elders to its leadership team while it continues to search for a new senior pastor, the church announced.
Oscar Morales, Brad Moore, Randy McFarland and Mark Mueller will be introduced to the congregation during weekend services Feb. 8 and 9, church elder Tra Willbanks said.
The new elders were appointed eight months after Gateway Church’s senior and founding pastor Robert Morris resigned in June 2024 after Cindy Clemishire accused him of first molesting her on Christmas in 1982, when she was 12 years old. The church hired a law firm to investigate the allegations which resulted in the church removing all but three elders from leadership.
In a summary of the investigation, Willbanks gave a summary of the investigation to church congregants saying that all but three of the church’s elders either knew about Morris’ encounter with Clemishire or were privy to the information and “failed to inquire further,” WFAA previously reported.
In a video message, which is unlisted on Gateway Church’s Youtube page, Willbanks provided an update on the church’s search for a new senior pastor. The church was close to making a hire several weeks ago but ultimately it didn’t work out, he said.
“I want, and I know you do too, this person to be who the lord has for Gateway,” Willbanks said.
Elders are not considered church staff and are not paid for their service.
“These men have graciously accepted this role knowing the challenges we’ve experienced over the past six months,” Willbanks said.
After six months, the elders can continue serving if they are a good fit for the roll, Willbanks said.
