Several North Texas pastors resign and are removed from their posts amid controversy

In recent weeks, there has been a series of high-profile departures at churches across North Texas amid accusations of “moral lapses,” “immoral” behavior and, in some cases, sexual abuse.

Since May, at least seven North Texas pastors, mostly from megachurches, have resigned or been fired.

Three have been arrested on sex crimes charges, and another is under internal church investigation on similar charges. The claims against the other pastors are unclear.

Michelle Simpson Tuegel, a Dallas victims’ rights attorney, said what’s happening in North Texas is a “domino effect” of sorts.

“It often starts with the voice of one brave survivor coming forward… and sending a signal to other survivors in the institution, and often to others, that they are not alone,” she said.

She added that more people can speak out.

Tuegel said there can be obvious signs that abuse is occurring, but they are often ignored or covered up. She said that in institutions like megachurches, where profits can be at risk, there is an incentive not to be seen in a negative light.

“It doesn’t mean there’s more or less abuse, but I think it allows it to thrive in the secrecy that sometimes permeates these institutions,” she said. “Just because of the sheer number of people and the profits and the money that are involved and the many things that happen in these churches, it makes it easier for the abuser to continue and hurt more people in a megachurch.”.”

Pete Singer, executive director of Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment (GRACE), said it is important for the church to be open with its members about cases of abuse or harm to another person.

“(Churches) need to provide some details because it is unfair to say that a person has resigned without providing any other details., doesn’t let other people who may have been harmed know they can come forward,” Singer said.

In his view, protecting the organization means not having to focus on the harm done to the victim or survivor.

“People who commit abuse go to great lengths to be the kind of people you would say would never do something like that,” Singer said.

Here are the North Texas pastors under scrutiny:

Josiah Anthony, Cross Timbers Church – Argyle

Cross Timbers Church lead pastor Josiah Anthony resigned in late July.

Speaking to the congregation last Sunday, church elder John Chalk said the board learned of “events and circumstances” involving Anthony over the past few years. The church asked him to resign, citing “harmful and inappropriate actions.”

Cross Timbers representatives told WFAA that Anthony’s actions “do not involve any children, physical or sexual interactions, or any illegal activity, as far as we are aware.”

In an email sent to members on Thursday, church elders revealed that two women reported “inappropriate communications” with Anthony to the church.

The email said one of the incidents was “not sexual in nature but was excessively personal” and “inappropriate for a pastor.”

According to the email, after Anthony resigned, another woman came forward and alleged that Anthony had been making comments in text messages and on social media that were “of a sexual nature.”

“Because the power dynamics in these interactions were never equal, we do not view them as consensual,” church elders said.

Church founder Toby Slough will serve as interim pastor while the search for new leadership continues.

Executive Pastor Byron Copeland was originally scheduled to serve as interim pastor.

He previously worked at Gateway Church in Southlake for 20 years, where he was named in a civil rights lawsuit after he “aggressively confronted” a female employee.

“Pastor Copeland cornered (her) in the room they were in and threatened to fire her if she didn’t shut up and stop causing drama,” the lawsuit said.

Cross Timbers did not respond to KERA’s request for comment.

Robert Morris, Gateway Church – Southlake

In late June, Gateway Church pastor and founder Robert Morris pleaded guilty to “inappropriate sexual conduct” after Cindy Clemshire accused him of sexually molesting her when she was 12. Clemshire said the abuse began in 1982 and continued for nearly five years.

Morris resigned as leader of the megachurch on June 18.

Church officials said in a statement that an internal investigation had been launched.

Since then, Morris’ wife and son have resigned from their church positions, and three church elders have taken leave.

Founding elder Steve Dulin has also parted ways with the church. Executive director Lawrence Swicegood told the Fort Worth Report that church elders met with Dulin last week.

“After this meeting, the Elders decided to move in a different direction regarding Steve’s position as an Elder and staff member,” Swicegood said. “Steve is no longer serving as a Gateway Elder and the pastor leading Gateway Kingdom Business Leaders.”

Morris was not charged, but faced even more criticism after it was revealed that in letters obtained by WFAA, his lawyers had placed blame on his accuser.

In addition, a lawsuit accusing at least five church staff members of covering up allegations of sexual assault against a minor has resurfaced in connection with Morris’ resignation. The child’s mother filed the lawsuit in 2020, and it was settled in May.

Gateway did not respond to KERA’s request for comment.

Luke Cunningham, Lakeside Baptist Church – Granbury

Lakeside Baptist Church issued a statement in early June announcing that its youth pastor, Luke Cunningham, had been suspended after learning of allegations that he sexually assaulted a minor at the church where he previously served.

Turning Point Community Church in Lubbock told WFAA that Cunningham, 41, served as a student pastor from 2016 to 2020, but they never heard any complaints or accusations before or during his time in that role.

He was fired from Lakeside Baptist Church several days later after the church gathered more evidence against him.

Cunningham was arrested June 19 and charged with sexual assault of a child, aggravated sexual assault of a child and second count of indecency with a child by sexual contact, according to jail records. The offenses occurred between 2016 and 2018.

In the past, Cunningham also served at North Fort Worth Baptist Church and the now-closed Agape Baptist Church.

“We believe that when we find a wolf among the sheep, including someone who could be called a ‘pastor,’ true pastors must step forward and discipline,” Lakeside Baptist Senior Pastor Mark Forrest told KERA in an email. “We have done so and encourage all other true pastors to act with integrity to God and the church, protecting members and the least among us from harm.”

Ronald Goines, Koinonia Church—Arlington

Lead Pastor Ronald Goines was arrested July 25 on charges of one count of sexual assault and one count of sexual assault.

In early June, an unknown woman made allegations against Goines, 51, and he turned himself in to the Tarrant County Jail after the Arlington Police Department’s Sex Crimes Unit obtained two warrants for his arrest.

On Friday, the church announced that a new pastor would replace Goines.

“Given the unique challenges our founding pastor currently faces, we want him to focus his full attention on his healing, wholeness and complete restoration,” church leaders said in a news release.

Goines is a well-known figure in the community. He was a member of Arlington’s Unity Council and a formal member of APD’s Arlington Clergy and Police Partnership program.

A representative of the Koinonia Church declined KERA’s request for comment by phone on Wednesday.

Tony Cammarota, Stonebriar Community Church – Frisco

Tony Cammarota, an associate pastor at Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco for 17 years, was fired after confessing to church leaders last month that he had engaged in “moral failure.”

The church sent an email to the faithful informing them of his removal, but asked members to “not give the devil any foothold to do more harm to our church through unnecessary statements and speculation.”

Stonebriar did not respond to KERA’s request for comment.

Tony Evans, Oak Cliff Bible Church – Dallas

Tony Evans, Senior Pastor, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church, announced in a statement to the church. His departure on June 9 due to an undisclosed “sin.” He had been in the church for nearly 50 years.

“Although I have not committed any crime, I have not exercised righteous judgment in my actions,” Evans told the church. “In light of this, I am stepping away from my pastoral responsibilities and submitting to the healing and restoration process established by the elders.”

Oak Cliff did not respond to KERA’s request for comment.

Terren Dames, North Dallas Community Bible Fellowship – Plano

According to Collin County jail records, Senior Pastor Terren Dames was arrested in May for soliciting prostitution.

Plano police said on May 2 that Dames called an undercover officer, offering $150 for sex. After arriving at the motel address the officer had sent Dames, police recorded him at the scene.

He was charged with this in June.

In a news release Wednesday, Executive Pastor David Lawson said Dames was removed from his position when the incident first occurred. Lawson called his actions a “moral failure.”

Penelope Rivera is a KERA news intern. Have a tip? Email Penelope at [email protected].

KERA News is made possible by the generosity of our members. If you find this reporting valuable, please consider make a tax-deductible donation today. Thank you.