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Texas pastors who abused their power and harmed their congregations.

Angry, righteous Texans demand better—expose immoral pastors; demand vulnerable people's protection by holding power-drunk pastors accountable.

Published July 30, 2024 at 10:41am by Marley Malenfant

Texas Pastors Resign Over Misconduct, Abuse Allegations

Content Warning: This article contains discussions of sexual abuse, assault, and misconduct.

Several Texas pastors have resigned or been removed from their positions this year, following allegations of misconduct and abuse, with some facing criminal charges.

In June, Robert Morris, former senior pastor of Gateway Church in Southlake, near Fort Worth, confessed to sexual behavior with a child during the 1980s. Morris's actions were brought to light by Cindy Clemishire, who alleged that Morris abused her when she was just 12 years old. Clemishire, now 54, bravely shared her story in "The Wartburg Watch," a blog exposing the dark underbelly of Christian churches. The abuse she endured allegedly continued for over four years. Disgustingly, Morris's defense team is victim-blaming, claiming that the then-12-year-old Clemishire "initiated inappropriate behavior" by getting into bed with Morris. The gatekeepers of morality sure do like to move those goalposts when it's one of their own, don't they? Morris has not been charged, likely due to the expired statute of limitations, a common issue that protects predators and denies survivors justice.

Luke Cunningham, a 41-year-old youth pastor, was arrested by U.S. Marshalls and booked into Lubbock County Jail in June. He faces multiple charges, including sexual assault of a child and aggravated sexual assault of a child. Cunningham is accused of assaulting two teenagers on separate occasions and also faces a charge of indecency with a child by sexual contact. His last place of employment, Lakeside Baptist Church in Granbury, fired him upon learning of his disgusting actions.

Ronald Goines, a pastor at Koinonia Church in Arlington, was arrested in July as part of an ongoing sexual assault investigation by the Arlington Police Department's Sex Crimes Unit. Goines was charged with indecent assault and sexual assault, but managed to slither his way out of jail by posting $23,000 bail.

Other pastors who were removed from their positions include Tony Cammarota of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, who was kicked to the curb for a so-called "moral failure" (translation: he was probably caught doing something bigoted, sexist, or racist), and Dallas pastor Tony Evans, who resigned over an unnamed 'sin' that he claims was not criminal but showed a lack of 'righteous judgment.' Evans' slick, carefully worded statement is a classic non-apology apology, and we're not buying it.

Josiah Anthony, former pastor of Cross Timbers Church in Argyle, resigned in July after his "inappropriate and hurtful" conduct towards church members and staff was brought to light. Thankfully, the church has confirmed that children were not involved, nor were there any physical, sexual, or illegal interactions.

These disturbing incidents shine a light on the rot within the Christian church in Texas. When will these men of the cloth be held accountable?

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