A Crisis of Faith: Church Sex Abuse Scandals Rock Dallas-Area Religious Institutions

In a year already marked by institutional reckoning, numerous Dallas-area churches have found themselves at the center of a troubling wave of sex abuse scandals. The most recent and high-profile case involves Robert Morris, founding pastor of the megachurch Gateway Church in Southlake, who was indicted in Oklahoma last month for the alleged sexual abuse of a child dating back four decades. According to court documents, the allegations center on repeated abuse that occurred during his time in Oklahoma before he moved to Texas and launched one of the largest churches in the state.

While Morris has denied the charges, the case has opened the floodgates on a broader and deeply unsettling pattern of misconduct and abuse in churches across North Texas. At least 17 other pastors or church leaders in the Dallas-Fort Worth area have either resigned, been charged, or been publicly accused of sexual abuse or related misconduct since the start of 2024.

Read more below about this apparent tidal wave of abuse sweeping through Dallas metro churches, and contact Turley Law Firm if you need to meet with a lawyer. We are a Dallas-based injury law firm serving clients throughout Texas and beyond with experience in sexual assault and abuse cases involving individuals and institutions such as churches and other religious groups, children’s camps, private schools, sports and other youth activity leagues, childcare facilities, and others.

A Pattern of Abuse and Cover-Ups

According to an October 2024 New York Times report (“Around Dallas, the Church Scandals Seem to Have No End,” published Oct. 3, 2024), these scandals involve churches of various denominations and sizes—from independent evangelical congregations to some of the region’s most prominent ministries. The Times article underscores a culture of secrecy, victim shaming, and lack of accountability that has persisted for years within many of these religious institutions.

A companion report from WFAA, the Dallas ABC affiliate, provided more specifics in a story first published on July 11, 2024, and most recently updated on April 2, 2025. The outlet has been maintaining a running list of local pastors involved in recent controversies, a list that now runs to 17 names and counting. Some recent high-profile resignations include:

• Tony Evans, founder and senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, who announced his resignation in June 2024. While he has not been criminally charged, he acknowledged what he described as a “pattern of inappropriate behavior inconsistent with biblical standards” in a letter to his congregation.

• An associate pastor at Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, who quietly resigned earlier this year after being confronted with allegations of misconduct. The church did not publicly name the individual, but internal memos reportedly confirmed an ongoing investigation.

• The lead pastor of Cross Timbers Church in Argyle, who stepped down after a series of allegations surfaced on social media, prompting both an internal and a police investigation.

• Steven J. Lawson, longtime pastor of Trinity Bible Church, was also implicated in an ongoing investigation involving alleged mishandling of abuse complaints within his church’s leadership structure.

Along with many others, these cases suggest a widespread and deeply rooted crisis. Survivors and advocates alike are calling not only for criminal prosecutions but also for civil accountability against the institutions that allowed this abuse to continue unchecked.

Legal Options for Abuse Victims and Survivors in Texas

At Turley Law Firm, we have represented survivors of sexual abuse across Texas, including cases involving institutional abuse by churches, camps, and youth organizations. Understanding the legal timeline is critical for those considering taking action.

Civil Statute of Limitations for Childhood Sexual Abuse

Texas has made significant progress in expanding access to justice for adult survivors of child sexual abuse. As of 2019, state law now allows victims to file a civil lawsuit up to 30 years after their 18th birthday—meaning they can sue until age 48. This window applies to abuse that occurred when the victim was under the age of 18 and includes claims against both individual abusers and the institutions that may have enabled or covered up the abuse.

This change was part of a broader nationwide trend recognizing that survivors often need years—sometimes decades—to process their trauma and come forward.

Civil Lawsuits for Adult Sexual Abuse

For victims abused as adults, the time frame is more limited. In Texas, most civil claims for adult sexual abuse must be filed within two years of the incident. However, if a survivor only recently discovered the full extent of their injuries or the institution’s role in enabling the abuse, courts may allow a lawsuit under the discovery rule.

That said, proving delayed discovery can be difficult, and survivors are encouraged to consult an attorney as soon as possible to preserve their rights.

Similar to the discovery rule, the statute of limitations may also be paused, or “tolled,” in certain situations—such as when a survivor was under duress, mentally incapacitated, or if the institution fraudulently concealed its role in the abuse. This means even if the abuse happened long ago, there may still be a path forward in court.

No Criminal Statute of Limitations for Certain Offenses

Texas has eliminated the criminal statute of limitations for several child sexual abuse offenses, including aggravated sexual assault of a child and continuous sexual abuse of a young child. This means prosecutors can bring criminal charges at any time—even decades later.

For adult victims, however, criminal prosecution is subject to strict time limits, typically ranging from five to ten years, depending on the nature of the offense.

Holding Institutions Accountable in Dallas and Texas Statewide

One of the most troubling aspects of the current crisis in North Texas churches is not just the abuse itself, but the failure of church leadership to protect the vulnerable. Time and again, survivors allege that pastors and elders failed to report abuse to authorities, protected abusers, and silenced victims.

At Turley Law Firm, we believe churches and religious organizations must be held to account when they harbor abusers or cover up crimes. No institution is above the law, especially when it comes to the safety of children and congregants.

If you or someone you love was sexually abused in a church or religious setting—whether recently or decades ago—you may still have legal options. Contact Turley Law Firm for a free and confidential consultation. We approach these cases with sensitivity, compassion, and an unrelenting passion for justice.