Cindy Clemishire, the woman whose testimony helped bring down Gateway Church’s former pastor Robert Morris, says she finally feels heard after decades of silence. Morris pleaded guilty to five counts of lewd and indecent acts with a child, ending a years-long pursuit for justice.
“It was very emotional,” Clemishire told CBN News. “It was emotional to be sitting next to my dad and holding his hand knowing the immense feelings that were going through him… but there was also just an empowering feeling behind it as well because we were finally being heard by the world and the law.”
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Morris never looked at her during the hearing. “He never looked up,” she said. “He looked down the whole time that my sister spoke… he only looked at his attorney and the judge and was jovial almost with them.”
The Sentence and What It Meant
Morris was sentenced to a 10-year suspended sentence with six months in jail. He must also pay restitution to Clemishire and register as a sex offender. The plea agreement ensured he would serve time behind bars and remain under supervision after his release.
“It ensured that he would spend time behind bars,” Clemishire said. “For me it was about what was best for me and my parents to have closure and move on.”
Though some questioned the length of the sentence, Clemishire said it was the best outcome for her healing. “It wasn’t about what was best for everyone else watching the story or what was best for Robert,” she said. “It was about what was best for me.”
A Turning Point Toward Freedom
Clemishire said the day in court was both painful and freeing. “He had the opportunity to look over at my family at me at my father and apologize… and he chose not to,” she said. “What I realized when I left the courtroom was I didn’t need that. I didn’t need that to feel different.”
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The experience marked a spiritual transformation. “I felt like I had been wearing a costume my entire adult life… and that costume came off of me and stayed on the bench I was sitting on in that courtroom. I walked out as the woman that God actually created me to be.”
Years of Silence and Deep Pain
The abuse began when Clemishire was 12 years old. Morris was a trusted family friend and pastor who had been invited into their home. “He said, ‘Before you go to bed come in I want to talk to you,’” she recalled. “He was staying in my bedroom and I was staying with my sister. I was 12 years old… a trusted person told me to come talk to him.”
Her family tried to warn others but was met with silence. “Some of the highest up in that part of our religious world knew,” she said. “They just continued to sweep it under the rug. They said, ‘He’s been restored.’ They didn’t ask about my restoration.”
Clemishire said the betrayal shattered her trust in church leadership. “It really just damages the faith in organized religion for me and leadership and motives behind pastors and leadership in churches.”
A Broken Foundation and Lifelong Impact
The abuse which lasted for years left emotional scars that shaped her adult life. “Not only did he steal my innocence he basically murdered the woman I was supposed to grow into,” she said. “He taught me that abuse is love.”
Clemishire said Morris’s actions distorted her understanding of worth and intimacy. “He did not do anything but teach me that my body was not sacred,” she said. “That had a major impact on my adult life.”
Despite the pain she said she has found hope and healing through her faith.
Holding On to Faith
Clemishire credits her faith and upbringing for sustaining her through the darkest years. “My dad’s faith is in Jesus not in church,” she said. “He gave that same foundation to us. I was taught to believe the Word of God not in man. I was taught to have a personal relationship with Jesus.”
Her daily prayer life has been a source of strength. “Even in very difficult times I do a lot of praying,” she explained. “For me I try and communicate with God throughout the day. That’s how I view my relationship with Jesus.”
Forgiveness and Justice
While Morris never apologized Clemishire said forgiveness is something she continues to work through. “Forgiveness is not for him. It is for me,” she said. “It has nothing to do with Robert’s life and has everything to do with mine and my relationship with God.”
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She said she has seen God’s justice prevail. “If I can release it to God let Him get the revenge which He has done He’s proven that if we release it in His timing justice can happen.”
“You Can Still Have a Relationship with Jesus”
Despite what she endured Clemishire’s message is one of perseverance and faith. “We can’t shut down churches or not believe in God because human beings are doing evil things,” she said. “You can still have a personal relationship with Jesus. The goal should be when we see something happening we expose it.”
For Clemishire the long path to justice has become a testimony of faith restored and a life reclaimed.
Prepared by Charisma Media Staff.
