A significant class action lawsuit has been filed by a group of Gateway Church members against four prominent church leaders: founder Robert Morris, Thomas M. Lane, Kevin L. Grove, and Steve Dulin. The suit alleges serious misrepresentation and misuse of tithing funds meant for global missions and Jewish ministry partners. Of the four pastors named in the lawsuit, only Kevin Grove remains with the church, currently serving as its executive global pastor.
Background of Allegations
The lawsuit comes in the wake of Morris's resignation in June 2024 after allegations surfaced that he had abused a 12-year-old in the 1980s, when he was in his early 20s. This scandal has shaken the church community, leading to a lack of trust in its leadership. Steve Dulin, a founding elder and the church’s former executive pastor of kingdom business leaders, was announced to have parted ways with the church on July 31, 2024, amid the turmoil.
Details of the Lawsuit
The core of the lawsuit revolves around claims that Gateway Church leaders misled congregants regarding the allocation of their tithes. According to the plaintiffs, Morris and other church officials had represented that 15% of all tithe dollars would be distributed to global missions and Jewish ministry partners. The lawsuit states that members were encouraged to give generously based on these promises.
The plaintiffs argue that, contrary to these representations, Gateway Church and its leaders did not allocate the promised funds for global missions. Efforts by congregants to seek transparency regarding the use of these funds were reportedly met with resistance from church elders, leading members to pursue legal action as a last resort.
The lawsuit highlights several key points:
- Financial Mismanagement: The plaintiffs allege that despite Morris's claims in 2023 of sending over $25 million annually for missions, the actual distribution fell significantly short. The CPA overseeing Global Ministries claimed that during his tenure, the fund never gave away more than $3 million in a single year, despite reports of substantial annual revenue.
- Unaccounted Funds: Significant discrepancies were noted, including entries exceeding $1 million that were unaccounted for in the Global Ministries fund. When these discrepancies were raised with Randy Bell, Gateway’s CFO, he reportedly stated that the entries were “elder approved” but could not specify which elders had approved them.
- Failure to Address Concerns: After raising concerns about financial irregularities, the CPA was allegedly told by Tom Lane that his resignation was accepted after discussing the matter with Morris. This response has led plaintiffs to believe that church leaders ignored serious financial concerns in favor of maintaining a facade of financial integrity.
The plaintiffs express that their primary aim is not financial gain but rather a pursuit of transparency regarding the church's financial practices and the use of tithing funds. They claim that the church's leadership misrepresented the use of donations and have failed to respond to requests for accountability.
Plaintiffs’ Demands
The plaintiffs are seeking several forms of relief, including:
- A judgment in favor of the plaintiffs and the class for all available damages allowed by law, amounting to over $1 million.
- An award for attorneys' fees and costs incurred in bringing the lawsuit.
- Pre-judgment and post-judgment interest as provided by law.
- Any other relief deemed just and equitable by the court.
The lawsuit also cites a promise made by Morris and Lane, stating that if congregants were not satisfied with how their money was used, they could request a refund. This "money-back guarantee" was reportedly repeated multiple times to the congregation, yet many members who have requested refunds claim they were stonewalled.
Conclusion
The lawsuit seeks to hold Gateway Church accountable for its financial practices and to ensure that funds donated by church members are used for their intended purposes. As the case unfolds, church members hope to restore trust in their leadership and find clarity regarding the church's financial stewardship. The implications of this lawsuit may extend beyond the church itself, raising questions about accountability and transparency within religious organizations.
