Senior Pastor Ethan Fisher, Robert Morris's son-in-law, has officially changed the name of Gateway Church in Houston,Texas after the child abuse scandal.
In June, former lead pastor Morris revealed to the congregation of Gateway that he had molested a 12-year-old girl for four and a half years when he was a young pastor. This led quickly to his resignation as lead pastor.
Morris's son, James, became lead pastor after the confession. However, Gateway elders announced in July that James and his wife Brigette would be stepping down from the pulpit. It was simultaneously announced that well-known Christian author and speaker Max Lucado would be the interim pastor as the church tried to gain their bearings.
Morris's son-in-law Fisher is the lead pastor at a separate campus, Gateway Church Houston and has shared that the church will carry forward with the name Newlands Church.
"I believe that during this season, as a church, that God is once again calling us into something new, and I simply want to follow," says Pastor Fisher, the husband of Morris' daughter, Elaine.
The announcement of the church and it's rebrand was told to Fisher's congregation this past Sunday.
"We believe the Lord has given us a new name. This next chapter is about obedience and stepping out in faith to be who God has called us to be. In Scripture, when God changed a name He was speaking prophetically to who that person was to become. I believe today God is speaking to us to look forward to who we are to become. I am excited to announce that Gateway Houston is becoming Newlands Church. I am full of hope and expectation that God has amazing things in store for you, your family, and our church, and I believe the best is yet to come."
After Morris resigned from Gateway, Fisher shared that he was also removed as the apostolic and overseeing elder of Gateway Church Houston.
"Elaine and I, we're processing it, obviously, as family. Elaine is a daughter, and I've done my best to be there for her. Me, as a son-in-law, we're processing the pain in real-time in the same way I know many of you are," Fisher told his congregants shortly after the confession.
As the signage starts to change over the coming months, Fisher shares he is looking forward to a bright future at their location.
"As God's people, He is calling us to be not mere spectators but participators in this journey of faith. Every path we have walked has been following the voice of God as He builds His Church. I'm excited for the future and all that God is going to be doing."