DALLAS (TX)
WFAA-TV, ABC-8 [Dallas TX]
July 11, 2024
By Paul Wedding
This year has seen a number of North Texas pastors become subjects of controversy, with some going as far as to step down from their positions.
Multiple pastors have received allegations of sexual misconduct — with one even being charged — while other pastors face less clear allegations.
Here is a look at all of the pastors facing controversy so far this year.
Tony Cammarota of Stonebriar Community Church
The most recent incident became known this week when Stonebriar Community Church notified its members in an email that Tony Cammarota, who had been an associate pastor for 17 years, had been removed from his position due to a “moral failure.”
“He is deeply remorseful but his sin disqualifies him from serving on our staff as a pastor,” the email states.
While not addressing what that moral failure was, the church asked its membership not to speculate.
“And please guard against giving the Devil any foothold for more damage to our church through unnecessary speech and speculation,” the email reads. “This is a sad day and we don’t want the Devil making it worse through any one of us in the days ahead.”
Robert Morris of Gateway Church
A few weeks ago, Pastor Robert Morris at Gateway Church in Southlake, who also founded the church, resigned from his position following an accusation he had sexually abused a girl for years, starting when she was 12 in the 1980s.
The fallout is ongoing, as church elders have said they have hired a law firm to investigate the response to the allegations.
More controversy surrounding the allegations came to light after it was revealed this week that lawyers for Morris had blamed Morris’ accuser for initiating the inappropriate conduct, letters obtained by WFAA show.
Luke Cunningham of Lakeside Baptist Church
Also last month, a staff member at Lakeside Baptist Church in Granbury, who was a former youth pastor in Lubbock, was arrested after being charged with sexual assault of a child, records show.
The church immediately suspended the man, 41-year-old Luke Cunningham, upon learning he had been accused of inappropriate conduct with a minor at another church, and he was immediately released from his employment days later after more evidence was gathered.
“Although we are not aware of any assaults having occurred with any of our students, we wish to say again that we stand ready to continue offering help with professional counselors. Moreover, if you or your child have been a victim of sexual abuse or have information that would help law enforcement, please contact law enforcement immediately,” Lakeside said in a message to its church members.
Tony Evans of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church
Tony Evans, a longtime senior pastor at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church, also stepped away from his duties in early June due to an unnamed “sin.” The decision was made following multiple meetings between Evans and church leaders.
“When we fall short of that standard due to sin, we are required to repent and restore our relationship with God,” Evans wrote in a statement. “A number of years ago, I fell short of that standard.”
Evans said that, while he hadn’t committed any crime, he hadn’t used righteous judgment in his actions.
Josh Howerton of Lakepointe Church
A senior pastor at Lakepointe Church in Rockwall also faced backlash following a controversial joke he made in February about how women should behave on their wedding night.
“Just stand where he tells you to stand, wear what he tells you to wear and do what he tells you to do and you’re going to make him the happiest man in the world,” Josh Howerton said in February.
Although Howerton apologized, he also faced allegations that he plagiarized that apology from another pastor.