Gateway Church Appoints New Executive Pastor Amidst Turbulent Times
Gateway Church on Thursday announced the appointment of a new executive pastor, rounding out its leadership team as the Southlake-based megachurch grapples with the fallout from a sexual abuse scandal.
After a search that considered candidates both inside and outside the church, Nic Lesmeister — who founded the Gateway Center for Israel in 2020 and most recently led the church’s global outreach — was named executive pastor, a position overseeing the church’s daily operations.
“This is an important and joyful moment, as we’re promoting one of our own,” Tra Willbanks, the chair of Gateway’s board of elders, said in a news release announcing the appointment.
Lesmeister’s New Role
Lesmeister, 42, will work alongside Daniel Floyd, a Virginia megachurch founder who was selected as Gateway’s new senior pastor. Lesmeister’s role combines pastoral leadership with administrative and strategic responsibilities, serving as a bridge between senior leadership, the church board and staff, according to a job description the church provided to The Dallas Morning News.
Breaking News
Nic Lesmeister was named as the executive pastor of Gateway Church.(Provided by Gateway Church)
Background of the Scandal
Gateway’s founder and former senior pastor, the celebrity televangelist Robert Morris, resigned in June 2024 after an Oklahoma woman, Cindy Clemishire, publicly accused him of sexually abusing her in the 1980s, when she was between 12 and 17 years old.
In March, Morris was indicted on five counts of lewd or indecent acts to a child in Oklahoma, where he could face up to 20 years in prison for each of the five charges, according to the state’s attorney general’s office.
The scandal triggered an internal investigation commissioned by the Gateway, a series of leadership departures and lawsuits against the church, including one filed by Clemishire that names both the church and Morris as defendants. The scandal also informed discussion around new legislation in Texas aimed at preventing the use of nondisclosure agreements to silence sexual abuse survivors.
Lesmeister’s New Challenge
Lesmeister takes the helm as the church navigates turbulent times.
In mid-June, the church announced staff layoffs amid what leaders described as “a significant drop” in tithes, or regular member donations. And later this month, the church will stop holding Saturday services at eight of its nine Dallas-Fort Worth campuses, holding them only at its flagship Southlake campus going forward.
Willbanks, in the news release, said Lesmeister had “already been instrumental over the past year in building a culture of restoration, healing and unity in our church.”
Selection Process
While Floyd made the decision to select Lesmeister, Willbanks said the church also conducted the search with the help of Vanderbloemen, a Houston-based firm specializing in recruiting and advising leaders for churches and faith-based organizations.
“Through that process and in close collaboration with Pastor Daniel Floyd,” Willbanks said, “it became clear that the right person for this role was already here.”
Conclusion
The appointment of Nic Lesmeister as the new executive pastor of Gateway Church marks a significant step towards healing and restoration for the church. As the church navigates the challenges posed by the sexual abuse scandal, Lesmeister’s leadership will be crucial in rebuilding trust and unity among the congregation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is Nic Lesmeister?
A: Nic Lesmeister is the newly appointed executive pastor of Gateway Church. He founded the Gateway Center for Israel in 2020 and most recently led the church’s global outreach.
Q: What is the role of the executive pastor?
A: The executive pastor oversees the church’s daily operations, combining pastoral leadership with administrative and strategic responsibilities. They serve as a bridge between senior leadership, the church board, and staff.
Q: What is the background of the sexual abuse scandal?
A: The scandal involves allegations of sexual abuse against Robert Morris, the church’s founder and former senior pastor. An Oklahoma woman, Cindy Clemishire, publicly accused him of abusing her in the 1980s when she was between 12 and 17 years old. Morris was later indicted on five counts of lewd or indecent acts to a child in Oklahoma.
Q: How will Lesmeister’s appointment affect the church?
A: Lesmeister’s appointment is seen as a step towards healing and restoration for the church. He will work alongside Senior Pastor Daniel Floyd to rebuild trust and unity among the congregation, and his leadership will be crucial in navigating the challenges posed by the scandal.
