Texas megachurch Gateway has sent out a mass appeal for prayers after its founder and lead pastor, Robert Morris, was rushed into emergency surgery following complications from an operation. “We just wanted to let you know that Pastor Robert had a complication after his surgery and has been care-flighted to the hospital this afternoon,” the church posted to Facebook yesterday. “Would you please take a few minutes right now and pray for him? We know the power of prayer and when God’s people pray, He hears. We are believing for no more complications and that Pastor Robert will be on the road to complete and total healing.”
Since that time, church members have been gathering on the Gateway campus to pray for Morris, who founded the congregation in 2000. The massive church pulls in a weekly attendance of around 36,000 people. Gateway has issued several more updates on Morris’ condition, indicating that he may be suffering from some sort of infection that caused internal bleeding.
UPDATE 2:
The doctors have discovered that Pastor Robert needs to have surgery to stop some internal blood loss. Please be in prayer that the Lord will guide the hands of the surgeon tonight!— Gateway Church (@GatewayPeople) April 9, 2018
UPDATE 3:
Pastor Robert’s surgery was successful in stopping the bleeding last night. Please continue to pray for no more bleeding and a quick and full recovery.
Thank you all again for praying for him, Pastor Debbie, and the family. Your prayers are working!— Gateway Church (@GatewayPeople) April 9, 2018
UPDATE 5: Pastor Robert is doing much better and his blood pressure is normal. He still has a fairly lengthy road to full recovery, so we’re asking you to please continue to pray for his complete healing.
— Gateway Church (@GatewayPeople) April 9, 2018
UPDATE 6: Pastor Robert is recovering, but experiencing some pain and fluctuations in blood pressure. Thank you for agreeing in prayer that his pain would decrease and his blood pressure would stabilize.
— Gateway Church (@GatewayPeople) April 9, 2018
Then, a couple of serious updates were posted, detailing that Morris was headed back into surgery for an emergency procedure.
UPDATE 7: We need prayers right now! Ps Robert’s blood pressure is fluctuating too much. He is feeling a lot of pain and pressure in his abdomen as well as experiencing continual drops in his blood pressure. He is having another CT Scan to try to determine the cause of the issues
— Gateway Church (@GatewayPeople) April 10, 2018
UPDATE 8: Ps. Robert is going in for another emergency surgery right now. The CT Scan revealed that he is experiencing more excessive internal bleeding. People of God, now is the time to pray! Let’s stand in agreement with God and all of heaven for Ps. Robert’s complete healing!
— Gateway Church (@GatewayPeople) April 10, 2018
Gateway has been calling on its members and followers to post hourly prayers for pastor Robert, as they pulled together for all-night prayer vigils.
We are gathering at the Southlake campus for prayer over Pastor Robert.
Posted by Gateway Church on Monday, April 9, 2018
“There is P O W E R in prayer – we are trusting God that this situation be transformed for Pastor Robert Morris immediately. Thank you for joining with us. There is hope in the power of the cross!” the church posted on Twitter.
Then, some good news.
UPDATE 9: Ps. Robert is out of surgery. The doctors found the source of the internal bleeding and were able to stop it. Praise the Lord! Please continue to pray for complete healing as he begins the journey to recovery. Thank you for your fervent, faithful prayers.
— Gateway Church (@GatewayPeople) April 10, 2018
“Praying that God would do that which only He can do, so that @PsRobertMorris may continue making much of Jesus!” one person commented on a prayer vigil reminder tweet. “Praying for full restoration, healing, strength and energy…Pastor Robert’s healing is on the way!!!!!” another added.
The church currently conducts 27 weekend services at six locations across the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Pray for Morris and his family at this difficult time.