By Free Republic | Created at 2024-09-25 17:40:04 | Updated at 2024-09-30 23:35:03
5 days ago
Gateway Church revokes membership of critical congregant; armed guards boot her from property
Christian Post ^ | September 24, 2024 | Leonardo Blair
Posted on 09/25/2024 10:05:54 AM PDT by Morgana
A former Gateway Church member who had her membership revoked and was allegedly forced off church property by armed guards for publicly criticizing the Texas megachurch for its alleged lack of transparency and accountability amid child sex abuse allegations against founder Robert Morris is now speaking out.
"I will say this: in my 47 years of life, I have never had my church membership revoked, dismissed, as they wanted to call it," Valentina Hansen, Grapevine resident and former Gateway Church member and volunteer, told The Christian Post in an interview Tuesday. "I've never had my volunteer opportunities be dismissed."
Morris resigned as Gateway Church's senior pastor on June 18, after 54-year-old grandmother Cindy Clemishire reported that Morris began sexually abusing her on Dec. 25, 1982, when she was just 12, and continued with the abuse for four-and-a-half years after that. Morris' alleged actions occurred when he was a young minister before he founded Gateway Church.
Hansen revealed on Facebook on Aug. 22 that she, along with others, met with Tra Willbanks, a longtime Gateway Church elder who has been giving updates at Gateway's pulpit since Morris' resignation, and Lorena Valle, the campus pastor of Gateway Church's Southlake Campus, to discuss the handling of Clemishire's case.
She accused Willbanks of falsely claiming that Gateway Church's attorneys were in communication with Clemishire's attorney, Boz Tchividjian, about restitution for the trauma she suffered as a result of Morris' alleged abuse and her initial treatment by Gateway Church.
She also claimed that Willbanks was deceptive and evasive in the meeting when she asked questions about the church's finances. She stated that Willbanks assured her that the church's financials are in order and Gateway Church has assets totaling $500 million.
Hansen noted that registered sex offender Stephen Wilson is reportedly still working at Gateway Church, and Willbanks defended his employment. Wilson spent a year in prison for attempted sexual indecency with a child in 2002, and he is now the head of Gateway Church's prison ministry.
"During our meeting, it was confirmed that #StephenWilson remains employed by #Gateway Church despite concerns. Tra Willbanks stated, 'There's a lynch mob after Steven Wilson, and I won't allow it.' He shared a story about Steven Wilson, which contradicted archived newspaper articles," Hansen said.
"Gateway Church has no intention of making their financial records public from 2000 to 2024. They are joining ECFA and have a total asset of $500 million. Tra Willbanks, a CPA, claimed their financials are in order," she added in the Facebook post.
In a letter dated Sept. 6, a copy of which was shared with CP, Gateway Church's board of elders accused Hansen of sowing "discord and conflict," which justified revoking her membership, according to Titus 3:10. The Scripture states: "Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them."
"The past three months have been the most challenging in the history of Gateway Church, and it has been a time of entirely understandable concern and appropriate, earnest questioning of the Church's leadership by its members. While acknowledging that we must rely on the strength of Christ to guide each and every one of our actions, the Board of Elders believes it has done, and continues to do, its utmost to be responsive and empathetic to current member concerns," Gateway's board of elders wrote in their letter to Hansen.
The elders suggested they had no choice but to revoke Hansen's membership because she refused to foster "understanding and reconciliation."
"As believers, all members of the Gateway community are bound by the commandments of the Bible, even in trying times. Despite our sincere attempts to walk with you down the path towards understanding and reconciliation, the Board believes that you have violated Biblical requirements by continuing to sow discord and conflict," the board wrote.
"Bearing in mind the wisdom of Titus 3:10, and pursuant to our roles as the highest ecclesiastical authority of Gateway Church as set forth in the Church's Bylaws, it is with heavy hearts that we accordingly now inform you that we believe it is necessary to make the difficult decision to dismiss you from your church membership and volunteer services at this time."
The board further offered to continue praying and caring for Hansen's "continued spiritual growth" and wished her the best at her next church home.
In response to questions from CP about the revocation of Hansen’s membership, Gateway Church spokesman Lawrence Swicegood insisted that leadership attempted to address her concerns, and she chose instead to maintain “proactive stances” against the ministry.
“Prior to her membership being revoked, Ms. Hansen requested and was given a private meeting with a Gateway campus pastor and with one of the Gateway’s elders to listen to her concerns and address her questions," Swicegood said. "Following that multi-hour, private meeting, she chose not to believe the accurate and factual answers she was given by the campus pastor and by the elder."
"Within hours, she went on her social media account seeking to discredit the facts she was given calling out the elders as ‘providing false information’ which is unfounded and untrue," Swicegood added.
In several emails also shared with CP, Hansen disputed the decision by Gateway Church's board of elders and their claims that she was sowing discord in the church.
"I was never contacted or spoken to by any member of the eldership regarding these concerns. I received no warnings, no counseling, and no guidance on how to resolve any perceived issues. This is in direct contradiction to the principles outlined in Titus 3:10, which emphasizes the importance of addressing divisive behavior through direct conversation and warnings," Hansen wrote in one of the emails shared with CP.
A day after she received the letter from Gateway Church's board of elders revoking her membership, Hansen recorded herself trying to enter the church to engage with the elders, but she said she was asked to leave the property by armed security guards under the watch of officers from the Southlake Police Department.
"It was embarrassing because so many people at the church know me. … I felt embarrassed for them that they would act in such an egregious way. I mean, I'm 5-foot-8. I weigh like 130 pounds. It's just little old me," Hansen said. "You've got five grown men approaching me at the main entrance of a church saying, 'You can't come in here,' and three of them had guns on their hips. And then I turn around to leave, and I see the South Lake Police Department."
Before Sept. 6, Hansen said she was a member of Gateway Church for three years but had attended the church intermittently for eight years prior to that.
She said she was drawn to the church because of the community.
"What attracted me and what kept me going there was the community, the classes, the groups, the self-help classes as well. There's so many great resources that are available, but there were also things that made me question," Hansen told CP.
She said she is speaking out because of the many people who simply walked away from Gateway Church "without a fight" after Morris' scandal came to light.
"You know, the squeaky wheel, they get attention, but sometimes, you know, …. for the longest time, I have been a voice for so many people that have been afraid to speak out against Gateway Church. I feel honored to be given that trust in people's stories, but I knew it would come with a price, and I was OK with that," Hansen said.
Swicegood stressed in his statement to CP that Hansen told a Gateway staff member that she was previously removed from another church due to her “disruptive behavior.”
“We are saddened that Ms. Hansen has chosen not to believe the truth and we wish her all the best in her search for a new church,” he said.
In announcing Morris' resignation in June, Gateway Church elders said they hired the law firm of Haynes & Boone, LLP, "to conduct an independent, thorough, and professional review of the report of past abuse to ensure we have a complete understanding of the events from 1982-1987."
It is unclear when the results of this investigation will be ready or if it will be released to the public.
Despite getting booted from the church, Hansen says she still believes Gateway Church can be great, but Morris' negative influence must be completely removed from the leadership team.
"I will say this: there is still a possibility for Gateway to be a great church. However, the people that are still there, that were implemented by Robert Morris, there is a trickle-down effect, or ripple effect that is still affecting that church in a very negative way," Hansen said. "And it's a culture that has perpetuated itself because of Robert Morris."
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FReepers do I have the right to be upset about this?
Armed guards removing church members because they called out sin? The Bible says to do it.
Have we come to this?
1 posted on 09/25/2024 10:05:54 AM PDT by Morgana
To: SaveFerris; NorthMountain; No name given ; ebb tide
please read my first comment I’d love to know your thoughts.
2 posted on 09/25/2024 10:06:38 AM PDT by Morgana ( “Abortion is the ultimate exploitation of women.” — Alice Paul )
To: Morgana
Does Robert Morris have a show on one of the Christian TV channels? The name sounds familiar to me.
To: Morgana
Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, just held it's 10th fundraiser banquet and awards event for Abortion Advocacy and providers groups.
Evil in the Pulpits.
4 posted on 09/25/2024 10:09:31 AM PDT by blackdog ((Z28.310) Be careful what you say. Your refrigerator may be listening & reporting you.)
To: Morgana
Evil people pretending to do good things is what we are these days.
5 posted on 09/25/2024 10:10:19 AM PDT by blackdog ((Z28.310) Be careful what you say. Your refrigerator may be listening & reporting you.)
To: Morgana
My church has a whole lot less than $500 million in assets. But each quarter, the head deacon delivers a pretty detailed financial report and the books are always open for any member to inspect.
To: blackdog
I’ll look that up and post it thanks for the heads up.
That is freaking evil. I can’t believe how much these churches are falling.
The people in the pews know what evil is and are saying so but the leaders are corrupt and what was it that Jesus said about them? Lovers of what? Someone help me out I’m upset right now.
7 posted on 09/25/2024 10:12:50 AM PDT by Morgana ( “Abortion is the ultimate exploitation of women.” — Alice Paul )
To: Steve_Seattle
I looked up Morris and he’s the guy I was thinking of. I guess now he’s a FORMER televangelist.
To: Morgana
Two separate issues involved in answering your question.
The Church, whether good or bad, has the right as a private entity, to trespass anyone who it likes, just like you or I could trespass anyone we wanted to on our property. Is it justified? Is it good relations? All depends, right?
The second part of your question relates to calling out sin. Yes, that’s ok, good actually. But in a society where free speech is a right, no consequence to free speech is not necessarily so.
Seems to me like she could move on and just find a good church. On the other hand, I cant fault her for calling out a problem. Its a matter of how much energy one thinks its worth to fight it.
9 posted on 09/25/2024 10:17:00 AM PDT by Magnum44 (...against all enemies, foreign and domestic... )
To: Morgana
"Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons," 1 Timothy 4:1
"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world." 1 John 4:1
The apostles warned us 2,000 years ago - why are we surprised?
10 posted on 09/25/2024 10:19:07 AM PDT by Psalm 73 ("You'll never hear surf music again" - J. Hendrix)
To: Morgana
Not unlike Pope Francis removing Bishop Joseph Strickland from his position as bishop of Tyler, TX.
Unjust.
11 posted on 09/25/2024 10:19:45 AM PDT by ebb tide ("The Spirit of Vatican II" is nothing more than a wicked "ideology" of the modernists.)
To: Morgana
Any church with a 501-3 is pretending to serve at least two masters but really is only serving Mammon.
12 posted on 09/25/2024 10:21:51 AM PDT by fella ("As it was before Noah so shall it be again," )
To: Morgana
The people in the pews know what evil is and are saying so but the leaders are corrupt
So why are the people remaining in the pews?
Are they too brainwashed to just not go there?
With idiot "Christians" like these, we might as well submit and become Muslims.
13 posted on 09/25/2024 10:22:13 AM PDT by Mogger (AreIn bookstores is a very expensive, beautifully bound in green leather Holy Koran. If one was goin)
To: Morgana
The event was advertised on Todd Starnes Radio Station 99.5 KWAM, which is in Memphis. I couldn't believe my ears! A Todd Starnes owned radio station advertising on air for a church promoting abortion siorre.
Shameless.
14 posted on 09/25/2024 10:22:59 AM PDT by blackdog ((Z28.310) Be careful what you say. Your refrigerator may be listening & reporting you.)
To: Magnum44
I personally would like to know more details. I'm automatically skeptical when the alleged abuse happened decades ago (1980's), and there's tons of money to be had from bringing it up now (hush money from a mega-church).
I'm not saying he didn't do the dirty deed. I'm just saying I need more than a quick read of one article before I join the world in calling out another servant of Christ...especially given that the source is Christian Post.
15 posted on 09/25/2024 10:24:25 AM PDT by Tell It Right (1 Thessalonians 5:21 -- Put everything to the test, hold fast to that which is true.)
To: Morgana
FReepers do I have the right to be upset about this?
Sure you do. Just be sure you know the facts
I've seen a good preacher and his family stalked by a crazy woman. She made all kinds of allegations, none of which could be proven and some of which were physically impossible - as the man and his wife were out of the country on a mission in Central America the years she claimed events occurred.
I've also seen accusations of homosexual priest behavior in our school, which were proven to be absolutely true
It takes a lot of wisdom to adjudicate these things. And the devil will never stop challenging the faith of believers.
16 posted on 09/25/2024 10:28:05 AM PDT by PGR88
To: Magnum44
In the Bible the prophets who called out sin, including Jesus, are remembered for walking in the ways of the Lord. The profits had their tables upset in the Temple.
17 posted on 09/25/2024 10:28:12 AM PDT by fella ("As it was before Noah so shall it be again," )
To: Magnum44
“Seems to me like she could move on and just find a good church. On the other hand, I cant fault her for calling out a problem. Its a matter of how much energy one thinks its worth to fight it.”
Thank you for all your responses first of all. Yes that is all true.
Second and one most concerning is if she does not call them out and others are hurt. I see it from her point of view. They need to make change.
We talk about what happened in the Catholic Church and maybe she sees what happened and does not what a repeat of this.
She is being loud and vocal to the point they will do something?
Not sweep this under the rug Not have more victims in the future? She wants to make sure there is change.
My their actions they have said “we don’t care and we will go on as business as usual”
18 posted on 09/25/2024 10:28:57 AM PDT by Morgana ( “Abortion is the ultimate exploitation of women.” — Alice Paul )
To: Morgana
The Great Falling Away has been in progress since Madeline O’Hare succeeded in having God removed from the classroom.
19 posted on 09/25/2024 10:31:10 AM PDT by fella ("As it was before Noah so shall it be again," )
To: PGR88
“’ve also seen accusations of homosexual priest behavior in our school, which were proven to be absolutely true”
I support all Catholics who are against that behavior. That is why I’m on this woman’s side.
All of us have to step up and tell these church leader they are wrong and to cut the crap.
20 posted on 09/25/2024 10:31:45 AM PDT by Morgana ( “Abortion is the ultimate exploitation of women.” — Alice Paul )
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