“Solely to buy peace”: Gateway Church settled lawsuit claiming multiple pastors covered up sexual assault of a minor

Dallas megachurch Gateway Church recently reached a settlement in a lawsuit alleging that several church leaders concealed the sexual assault of a young girl who attended their church, according to the Roys Report.

The lawsuit, filed in Tarrant County, Texas in 2020, accused five pastors and a youth leader at Gateway Church of covering up an assault that occurred in 2018 when the girl was under 12 years old. Despite being aware of the assault, the leaders allegedly failed to inform the victim’s mother or report it to authorities, aiming to avoid criminal investigation.

The settlement, finalized in April of this year for an undisclosed amount, stipulated that the church and pastors denied liability but agreed to the terms to achieve resolution. Part of the settlement funds intended for the girl will be accessible when she turns 18.

According to the lawsuit, the assault occurred at the home of a church member, and although the youth leader became aware of the incident shortly after, no formal actions were taken by church leadership to address the matter with law enforcement or the victim’s family. Instead, the pastors reportedly engaged in efforts to discredit the victim and her mother when the incident eventually came to light.

This settlement comes amidst broader controversies involving Gateway Church, including allegations against its founder, Robert Morris, who resigned after facing accusations of sexual abuse dating back to the early 1980s. As investigations into these claims continue, Gateway Church is navigating significant internal changes, including temporary resignations of key leaders based on legal counsel’s recommendations.

Gateway Church, founded in 2000, remains a prominent megachurch in Dallas, with substantial attendance across multiple locations and online services.