James Morris Announces New Church Plant Name, Is Expected to Draw Hundreds Away from Disgraced Father's Church

Days after James Morris launched a new website announcing the commencement of a “church planting journey,” they’ve now shared the chosen name for their new establishment.

Morris was about to take over the role of lead pastor of Gateway Church, the 100,000-member Houston megachurch founded and led by his father, Robert Morris, until it was revealed that the elder Morris had sexually abused a 12-year-old girl in the ’80s, causing the church to part ways with Robert and James to resign permanently.

Sharing on Instagram, he and his wife write:

We have spent the past few weeks praying and seeking the Lord, and God has confirmed the name of the church the Lord put in our hearts to plant through multiple scriptures and people.

The name is Passage Church!

This name has a twofold meaning. First, “Passage” is another word in reference to scripture. We believe in the authority and power of the Holy Scriptures, the Bible. Passage Church is founded on the Word of God and will be a place where people are taught the Word of God. Second, “Passage” is another word for making a journey from one place to another. Passage Church is active and on the move; filled with people pursuing God in every season.

A very popular teacher in his own right, it is believed that James will draw hundreds, if not thousands, of people away from Gateway Church and into his own as soon as it launches, comprising both current attendees, as well as thousands of disillusioned congregants who stopped attending following the tragic revelations.