SOUTHLAKE, Texas — Gateway Church is canceling its annual conference in the wake of child sex abuse allegations against founding pastor Robert Morris, who resigned earlier this summer.
The Southlake-based megachurch announced the decision Wednesday to cancel Gateway Conference, which was set to happen in September.
Church officials said they believed it was best to not hold Gateway Conference as the church is "in the midst of navigating Robert Morris' resignation and the emotions surrounding it."
"We are deeply sorry for the pain this situation caused the survivor, other survivors of abuse, and the Church at large," the church said in a statement. "As we seek to navigate this season in a healthy way and in a manner that promotes healing for everyone affected, we believe it best to not hold Gateway Conference this year. We are sincerely sorry for any inconvenience or disappointment this causes."
Gateway will issue full refunds to anyone who already registered for the conference.
Gateway Conference is held annually and typically draws thousands of church pastors, leaders and staff members to "bless, empower and equip the local church," according to the conference's Facebook page.
One of the featured posts on the page from last year's conference was a quote from Robert Morris' son, James Morris, who also resigned from Gateway in the wake of his father's scandal. James Morris was set to become the lead pastor at Gateway in the footsteps of his father. But after Robert Morris' June resignation, James Morris and church leaders "collectively made the decision" that he and his wife, Bridgette, would move on from the church.
Another speaker featured at last year's Gateway Conference was longtime Dallas pastor Tony Evans, who resigned from Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church in June, citing an unnamed "sin" from "a number of years ago."
At last year's Gateway Conference, Evans preached about listening "for the truth of God's Word above the noise of the culture."
"There are two answers to every question: God's answer and everybody else's," he said. "And everybody else is wrong."
Why did Robert Morris resign from Gateway Church?
Robert Morris founded Gateway Church and led the massive congregation for decades before his resignation in June after allegations of sexual abuse surfaced.
The fallout began when Cindy Clemishire, Robert Morris' accuser, came forward with her story that alleged Morris began sexually abusing her in the early 1980s. She was 12 at the time and Morris was in his 20s.
After the allegations were made public, Morris admitted to his congregation that he was "involved in inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady," though he did not make reference to the girl's age.
Overwhelming public backlash ensued, and Morris ultimately decided to resign from the church on June 18.
More coverage about Gateway Church from WFAA: