>>> TONIGHT, THE POLITICAL TASK FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN AS HE FIGHTS TO PUT CONCERNS ABOUT HIS CAMPAIGN BEHIND HIM. ALL EYES ON THE PRESIDENT AS HE WELCOMES WORLD LEADERS FOR THE NATO SUMMIT AS A NINTH HOUSE DEMOCRAT CALLS FOR HIM TO STEP ASIDE AFTER HIS DEVASTATING DEBATE. ON CAPITOL HILL, DEMOCRATS MEETING PRIVATELY TO DISCUSS A PATH FORWARD, AND THE UNANSWERED QUESTIONS. WHY DID A PARKINSON'S EXPERT VISIT THE WHITE HOUSE EIGHT TIMES. >>> ALSO TONIGHT, THE SHOOTING NEAR SUPREME COURT JUSTICE SONIA SOTOMAYOR'S HOME. THE ATTEMPTED CARJACKING INVOLVING A U.S. MARSHAL. >>> THE REMNANTS OF HURRICANE BERYL ON THE MOVE. THE U.S. DEATH TOLL RISING TO 10. MORE THAN TWO MILLION SPENT THE DAY WITHOUT POWER. AND DANGEROUS HEAT COAST-TO-COAST. AL ROKER IS TRACKING IT. >>> THE DARTMOUTH STUDENT FOUND DEAD IN A RIVER. POLICE INVESTIGATING. IS IT LINKED TO A FRATERNITY EVENT? >>> THE POSSIBLE CLOSE CALL BETWEEN TWO PASSENGER JETS. WHAT THE FAA SAYS HAPPENED. >>> ALEC BALDWIN IN COURT AS JURY SELECTION BEGINS IN THE "RUST" SHOOTING TRIAL. >>> NBC NEWS INVESTIGATES THE TEXAS MEGACHURCH PASTOR RESIGNING AFTER HE WAS ACCUSED OF SEXUALLY ABUSING A 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL DECADES AGO. OUR NEW REPORTING REVEALING HIS ATTORNEY TRIED TO BLAME HER IN THE ALLEGED ABUSE, AND WHO ELSE IN THE CHURCH KNEW ABOUT IT. >>> AND YOUR FIRST LOOK AT THE FIRST GIANT PANDAS TO ENTER THE U.S. IN 21 YEARS. >> Announcer: THIS IS "NBC NIGHTLY NEWS" WITH LESTER HOLT. >> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME. PRESIDENT BIDEN IS STOMPING OUT POLITICAL BRUSHFIRES TONIGHT THAT ARE EATING AT HIS CAMPAIGN WHILE DEMOCRATS ON CAPITOL HILL HASH OUT WHETHER THE PRESIDENT REMAINS THE RIGHT PERSON TO CARRY THE PARTY TO VICTORY IN NOVEMBER FOLLOWING THAT DEBATE PERFORMANCE THAT TURNED THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN ON ITS HEAD. FOR NOW, THE PRESIDENT STILL HANGING ON IN WHAT COULD PROVE TO BE A MAKE OR BREAK WEEK AS HE HOSTS WORLD LEADERS IN WASHINGTON. LOOKING TO PROJECT A MESSAGE OF STRENGTH HERE AND ABROAD. MR. BIDEN OPENING A MEETING WITH NATO LEADERS WITH A FORCEFUL TRIBUTE TO THE ALLIANCE, AND VOWING THAT UKRAINE WILL PREVAIL IN THE WAR WITH RUSSIA. WE BEGIN WITH NBC'S GABE GUTIERREZ. >> Reporter: TONIGHT, PRESIDENT BIDEN ON THE WORLD STAGE, KICKING OFF A HIGH-STAKES NATO SUMMIT WITH 38 WORLD LEADERS HERE IN WASHINGTON. >> IT'S GOOD THAT WE'RE STRONGER THAN EVER, BECAUSE THIS MOMENT IN HISTORY CALLS FOR OUR COLLECTIVE STRENGTH. >> Reporter: PRESIDENT BIDEN AND EUROPEAN ALLIES ANNOUNCING NEW AIR DEFENSE SYSTEMS FOR UKRAINE LATE TODAY. >> PUTIN WANTS NOTHING LESS, NOTHING LESS THAN UKRAINE'S TOTAL SUBJUGATION, TO END UKRAINE'S DEMOCRACY. MAKE NO MISTAKE, UKRAINE CAN AND WILL STOP PUTIN. >> Reporter: BUT LOOMING LARGE, THE PRESIDENT'S POLITICAL STANDING WITH DEEPENING DIVISIONS AMONG ANXIOUS DEMOCRATS ON CAPITOL HILL WHO MET TODAY BEHIND CLOSED DOORS. >> I THINK HE SHOULD STAY IN THE RACE. >> Reporter: ASKED WHETHER THEY WERE ON THE SAME PAGE -- >> NOT EVEN IN THE SAME BOOK. >> Reporter: TEN HOUSE DEMOCRATS HAVE CALLED FOR THE PRESIDENT TO STEP ASIDE, BUT ONE IS NOW BACKTRACKING. >> WE HAVE TO CONSIDER WHETHER OR NOT IS BESIDE THE POINT. HE IS GOING TO BE OUR NOMINEE, AND WE ALL HAVE TO SUPPORT HIM. >> Reporter: STILL, WHILE SOME RANK AND FILE DEMOCRATS ARE TORN, THEIR LEADERSHIP IS HOLDING FIRM. >> WE ARE RIDING OR DIVIDING. I'M WITH JOE. >> RIGHT NOW PRESIDENT BIDEN IS THE NOMINEE, AND WE SUPPORT THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE. >> Reporter: REPUBLICANS HOPE THE IN-FIGHTING HELPS THEM IN NOVEMBER. >> JOE BIDEN IS NOT FIT FOR THAT OFFICE. AND IT'S A TERRIBLE THING. THE DEMOCRATS HAVE MISLED US, AND THEY NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THAT. >> Reporter: THE POLITICAL CHAOS COMES AFTER PRESIDENT BIDEN'S PERSONAL DOCTOR CONFIRMED OVERNIGHT IN THIS LETTER THAT A NEUROLOGIST WHO SPECIALIZES IN PARKINSON'S DID SEE THE PRESIDENT, BUT ONLY DURING HIS ANNUAL PHYSICAL. THE SPECIALIST, DR. KEVIN CANARD, VISITED THE WHITE HOUSE EIGHT TIMES IN EIGHT MONTHS ACCORDING TO VISITORS LOGS. THE PRESIDENT SAYING CANARD HELD, QUOTE, REGULAR NEUROLOGY CRITICS AT THE WHITE HOUSE MEDICAL CLINIC TO SUPPORT MILITARY STAFF. >> IT IS BEING INCORRECTLY INSINUATED THAT THE PRESIDENT WAS BEING TREATED FOR PARKINSON'S. I SAID RIGHT HERE THE PRESIDENT WAS NOT BEING TREATED FOR PARKINSON'S. >> Reporter: ON THE PRESIDENT'S SIDE, FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP GIVING HIS FIRST POST DEBATE INTERVIEW SAYING HE BELIEVES PRESIDENT BIDEN WILL STAY IN THE RACE. >> HE HAS AN EGO AND HE DOESN'T WANT TO QUIT. >> Reporter: ALSO ADDING HE MAY WAIT TO ANNOUNCE HIS RUNNING MATE UNTIL DEMOCRATS SORT OUT PRESIDENT BIDEN'S FUTURE. >> WE WANTED TO SEE WHAT THEY'RE DOING, TO BE HONEST. >> GABE, WHAT DO THE COMING DAYS LOOK LIKE FOR THE PRESIDENT? >> WELL, LESTER, TONIGHT HE HAS A CALL WITH DEMOCRATIC MAYORS TO REASSURE MEETING WITH WORLD LEADERS TOMORROW IN WASHINGTON AND THEN ON THURSDAY THAT RARE SOLO PRESS CONFERENCE, HIS FIRST OF THE YEAR. LESTER? >> GABE GUTIERREZ, THANK YOU. >>> ALSO TONIGHT, DETAILS EMERGING OF A SHOOTING INVOLVING THE SECURITY DETAIL OF SUPREME COURT JUSTICE SONIA SOTOMAYOR DURING WHAT POLICE SAY WAS AN ATTEMPTED CARJACKING. ERIN McLAUGHLIN HAS LATE DETAILS. >> Reporter: TONIGHT IN WASHINGTON, D.C., AN INVESTIGATION INTO AN ALLEGED CARJACKING ATTEMPT NEAR THE HOME OF SUPREME COURT JUSTICE SONIA SOTOMAYOR. ACCORDING TO THE METROPOLITAN POLICE, IT HAPPENED HOURS AFTER THE FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS ON THIS BLOCK IN THE HEART OF THE CAPITOL HILL. TWO DEPUTY U.S. MARSHALS CHARGED WITH PROTECTING SUPREME COURT JUSTICES, WERE PARKED OUTSIDE WHEN THE SUSPECT, IDENTIFIED AS 18-YEAR-OLD KENTRELL FLOWERS, ALLEGEDLY ARMED WITH THIS FIREARM, APPROACHED ONE OF THE MARSHALS AND POINTED A HANDGUN AT HIM IN AN APPARENT ATTEMPT TO CARJACK HIM. ACCORDING TO POLICE, THE MARSHALS OPENED FIRE. THE SUSPECT SURVIVED, TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WITH NONLIFE-THREATENING INJURIES. IT'S THE LATEST IN A SERIES OF HIGH PROFILE CARJACKINGS TO STRIKE THE CAPITAL. LATE LAST YEAR IN NEARBY GEORGETOWN, TWO TEENAGERS WERE ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY BREAKING INTO A SECRET SERVICE CAR ASSIGNED TO PROTECT NAOMI BIDEN, THE PRESIDENT'S GRANDDAUGHTER. LOCAL RESIDENTS SAY THEY'RE NOT SURPRISED BY THIS LATEST VIOLENCE NEAR SOTOMAYOR'S RESIDENCE. DO YOU FEEL SAFE? >> IT COMES AND GOES IN WAVES. >> Reporter: STILL, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SIX YEARS, CARJACKINGS IN THE CAPITAL ARE ACTUALLY DOWN, 46% COMPARED TO LAST YEAR'S SPIKE, AS POLICE CRACK DOWN. >> WHILE WE HAVE NOT REACHED OUR DESTINATION, WE ARE ON THE RIGHT PATH. >> Reporter: A SOURCE CLOSE TO THE INVESTIGATION TELLS NBC NEWS THEY BELIEVE THE ATTACK WAS RANDOM AND NOT RELATED TO THE SUPREME COURT JUSTICE. THE SUSPECT HAS YET TO ENTER A PLEA. LESTER? >> ERIN McLAUGHLIN, THANKS. >>> HURRICANE BERYL IS GONE, BUT THE HOUSTON AREA IS STILL SUFFERING WITH MORE THAN TWO MILLION PEOPLE WITHOUT POWER IN STIFLING HEAT. AT LEAST TEN DEATHS ARE NOW BLAMED ON THE STORM. PRISCILLA THOMPSON IS THERE. >> Reporter: THE SCOPE OF HURRICANE BERYL'S DESTRUCTION SEEN FROM ABOVE. DOWNTOWN HOUSTON FLOODED, CARS WASHED AWAY, AND HOMES CRUSHED. >> I WAS JUST SO SCARED THE WHOLE TREE WAS GOING TO FALL INTO THE HOUSE. >> Reporter: TODAY, THIS FAMILY WATCHED AS CREWS REMOVED A FALLEN TREE FROM THEIR HOUSE. THEY WERE INSIDE WHEN IT CAME CRASHING DOWN, AND THE WATER BEGAN POURING IN. >> I COULD JUST SEE THIS HUGE TRUNK RIGHT THERE ON THE WINDOW. AND THAT'S WHEN THE RAIN REALLY STARTED POURING IN. >> A TREE CAN GET TAKEN DOWN. A HOUSE CAN GET FIXED. A LIFE CANNOT BE REPLACED. >> Reporter: THE LATEST DEATH TOLL FROM THE STORM NOW UP TO TEN, INCLUDING TWO FROM CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING AND ONE PERSON'S WHOSE OXYGEN MACHINE RAN OUT OF BATTERIES. THE REMNANTS OF BERYL NOW WREAKING HAVOC IN THE MIDWEST. OVERNIGHT, 110 TORNADO WARNINGS WERE ISSUED, THE MOST EVER FOR A DAY IN JULY. IN LOUISIANA, MANGLED METAL AND DEBRIS STREWN FOR MILES. BACK IN HOUSTON TONIGHT, ANOTHER THREAT. WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE IN YOUR HOUSE RIGHT NOW? >> IT FEELS LIKE AN OVEN. >> Reporter: MORE THAN TWO MILLION PEOPLE ARE WITHOUT POWER IN SCORCHING TRIPLE-DIGIT HEAT, INCLUDING TRACY TIMMONS, WHO IS DIABETIC. >> THIS COULD BE LIFE OR DEATH. BECAUSE IT DRAINS YOU EVEN MORE. IT PHYSICALLY MAKES YOU SICK. >> Reporter: NOW SPENDING HER DAYS AT A COOLING CENTER AND PRAYING FOR POWER. HOW MANY DAYS CAN YOU GO LIKE THIS? >> I DON'T HAVE A CHOICE. I JUST HAVE TO KEEP COMING BACK AND FORTH TO THE COOLING CENTER. I MEAN, WHAT DO YOU DO? >> PRISCILLA JOINING US NOW FROM HOUSTON. PRISCILLA, HOW MUCH PROGRESS ARE THEY MAKING ON THE GROUND? >> Reporter: LESTER, THE FAMILY THAT LIVES HERE MANAGED TO GET THIS GIANT TREE THAT SNAPPED, LEAVING THAT GAPING HOLE IN THEIR ROOF OFF OF THEIR HOME TODAY. BUT AS FOR POWER, STATE OFFICIALS SAY THAT THIS WILL BE A MULTIDAY RECOVERY. CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAYS THEY HOPE TO RESTORE ONE MILLION CUSTOMERS BY THE END OF DAY WEDNESDAY. LESTER? >> ALL RIGHT. PRISCILLA, THANK YOU. WE WANT TO BRING IN AL ROKER. YOU'RE FOLLOWING MORE TROUBLE FROM BERYL AS WELL AS OPPRESSIVE HEAT. >> THAT'S RIGHT. WE'VE GOT TORNADO WATCHES AND WARNINGS RIGHT NOW FROM INDIANA ALL THE WAY DOWN TO TENNESSEE UNTIL 11:00 P.M. CENTRAL TIME. THIS SYSTEM IS GOING TO BE PUSHING TO THE EAST. AND SO WE HAVE A FLOOD RISK THROUGH THURSDAY. 3 TO 5 INCHES OF RAIN FROM ST. LOUIS, INDIANAPOLIS, ALL THE WAY TO BANGOR, MAINE, NEW YORK CITY AS WELL. PLUS, WE'VE GOT DUAL HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEMS, A SPIN SETTING UP HOT, HUMID AIR IN THE EAST. DRY UNRELENTING HEAT IN THE WEST. SO THE HEAT INDEX IS TRIPLE-DIGITS TOMORROW FROM BALTIMORE ALL THE WAY DOWN TO MACON, WITH TEMPERATURES OUT WEST TRIPLE-DIGITS FOR THE NEXT THREE DAYS INTO THE WEEKEND FOR MEDFORD, LAS VEGAS, PHOENIX, AND PALM SPRINGS. LESTER? >> ALL RIGHT, AL, THANK YOU. >>> WE'LL TURN NOW TO A TRAGEDY IN THE IVY LEAGUE. A 20-YEAR-OLD STUDENT AND FRATERNITY MEMBER AT DARTMOUTH COLLEGE FOUND DEAD IN A RIVER ALONG CAMPUS. POLICE SAY NO FOUL PLAY IS SUSPECTED, BUT THEY'RE INVESTIGATING WHETHER HAZING PLAYED A ROLE. THE STUDENT ATTENDED A SOCIAL GATHERING ON THE DOCKS THE NIGHT BEFORE. THE SCHOOL SAYS IT HAS SUSPENDED THE FRATERNITY, WHICH WAS ALREADY ON ALCOHOL PROBATION. >>> TONIGHT THE FAA IS INVESTIGATING TWO HAIR-RAISING MOMENTS INVOLVING PASSENGER JETS ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING WHAT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN A CLOSE MID-AIR ENCOUNTER OVER SYRACUSE AIRPORT. HERE IS NBC'S TOM COSTELLO. >> Reporter: POLICE DASH CAM VIDEO SHOWS WHAT APPEARS TO BE A VERY CLOSE CALL OVER SYRACUSE. >> GO AROUND. >> Reporter: AN AMERICAN AIRLINES BLUE STREAK REGIONAL JET AND A DELTA REGIONAL JET COMING WITHIN 700 FEET OF EACH OTHER. MOMENTS EARLIER CONTROLLERS HAD CLEARED THE DELTA FLIGHT FOR TAKEOFF. >> CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF. >> Reporter: ON THE SAME RUNWAY THE AMERICAN REGIONAL WAS ABOUT TO LAND. >> WAIT, WHO IS CLEARED THE TAKE OFF ON 2-8? >> 5511, GO AROUND. >> TURN AROUND, BLUESTER, 5511. >> Reporter: BEN AUGUSTINE WAS ON THE AMERICAN FLIGHT THAT WAVED OFF. >> AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN THERE WAS THIS WHIP OF LIKE YOU'RE GOING UP A ROLLER COASTER. AND YOU JUST -- YOU JUST FELT THE ALTITUDE -- YOU FELT YOURSELF GO WAY UP. >> Reporter: THE FAA IS INVESTIGATING WHETHER IT WAS CONTROLLER OR PILOT ERROR. BOTH AIRLINES ARE COOPERATING. ALSO ON MONDAY, YET ANOTHER CLOSE CALL. >> 1001, WE WERE JUST TOLD A TIRE CAME OFF YOUR AIRCRAFT. >> Reporter: A UNITED FLIGHT LEAVING L.A.X. FOR DENVER LOSING A TIRE ON TAKEOFF. THE BOEING 757 CONTINUED ON TO DENVER. >> BRACE, BRACE, BRACE! >> Reporter: FLIGHT ATTENDANTS PREPARED FOR AN EMERGENCY, BUT LANDED SAFELY. UNITED TELLS NBC NEWS THE WHEEL HAS BEEN RECOVERED IN LOS ANGELES AND WE'RE INVESTIGATING WHAT CAUSED THIS EVENT. IT COMES AS UNITED'S MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS REMAIN UNDER INCREASED FAA SCRUTINY FOLLOWING A SERIES OF HIGH-PROFILE INCIDENTS, INCLUDING A TIRE THAT FELL FROM A UNITED 777 DEPARTING SAN FRANCISCO FOR JAPAN. TONIGHT ENOUGH NEW QUESTIONS AND SCRUTINY. TOM COSTELLO, NBC NEWS, WASHINGTON. >>> IN 60 SECONDS, ALEC BALDWIN GOES ON TRIAL FOR THE FATAL SHOOTING ON THE "RUST" MOVIE SET. JURY SELECTION NOW >>> NEARLY THREE YEARS AFTER THE DEADLY SHOOTING ON THE SET OF THE MOVIE "RUST," A JURY HAS NOW BEEN SEATED IN ALEC BALDWIN'S INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER TRIAL IN NEW MEXICO. OUR CHLOE MELAS IS AT THE COURTHOUSE. >> MR. BALDWIN, ARE YOU WORRIED THIS WILL END IN JAIL TIME? >> Reporter: ALEC BALDWIN STOIC AS HE ENTERED THIS SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO COURTHOUSE. HE ARRIVED AT THE COURT ALONGSIDE HIS WIFE HILARIA. THE ACTOR FACES ONE COUNT OF INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER FOR THE FATAL SHOOTING OF CINEMATOGRAPHER HALYNA HUTCHINS ON THE "RUST" FILM SET NEARLY THREE YEARS AGO. TODAY 12 JURORS WERE SELECTED WHO WILL NOW DECIDE BALDWIN'S FATE IN WHAT IS EXPECTED TO BE AN EIGHT-DAY TRIAL. A CENTRAL QUESTION FOR JURORS, DID BALDWIN PULL THE TRIGGER, OR DID THE GUN MISFIRE. >> I LET GO OF THE HAMMER OF THE GUN AND THE GUN GOES OFF. >> Reporter: BALDWIN HAS LONG MAINTAINED HIS INNOCENCE. FOR THIS TRIAL, PROSECUTORS WILL RELY ON TWO KEY WITNESSES. A CREWMEMBER EXPECTED TO TESTIFY HE SAW BALDWIN PULL THE TRIGGER, AND FIREARMS EXPERTS WILL SAY THE REVOLVER COULD NOT HAVE FIRED WITHOUT PULLING THE TRIGGER. IN A PRETRIAL WIN FOR THE DEFENSE, THE JUDGE RULED THAT BALDWIN'S ROLE AS A PRODUCER OF THE MOVIE COULD NOT BE PRESENTED TO THE JURY. THE DEFENSE WILL MAKE THE CASE THAT IT'S NOT THE JOB OF AN ACTOR TO ENSURE A PROP GUN DOESN'T CONTAIN LIVE ROUNDS. >> IN NEW MEXICO, A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HUNTING FAMILIES. IT'S NOT A BIG DEAL TO HAVE A GUN. AND SO THEY'RE VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE GUN CULTURE AND GUN RESPONSIBILITY. >> AND CUT! >> Reporter: THE JUDGE RULED VIDEOS LIKE THIS OF BALDWIN ON SET IS ADMISSIBLE. PROSECUTORS HOPING IT SHOWS JURORS HE WAS RECKLESS WITH HIS FIREARM. AND ONE BIG QUESTION STILL REMAINS. WILL BALDWIN TAKE THE STAND IN HIS DEFENSE. OPENING STATEMENTS ARE EXPECTED TO START TOMORROW. AND IF CONVICTED, BALDWIN FACES UP TO 18 MONTHS IN PRISON. LESTER? >> CHLOE MELAS, THANK YOU. >>> HERE IN NEW YORK, PROSECUTORS SAY THEY ARE INVESTIGATING ADDITIONAL ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AGAINST FORMER HOLLYWOOD MOGUL HARVEY WEINSTEIN. AT A COURT HEARING TODAY, THEY SAY THEY COULD PRESENT NEW CHARGES TO A GRAND JURY THIS FALL AND COULD BE READY FOR A RETRIAL OF WEINSTEIN BY NOVEMBER. >>> COMING UP, OUR INVESTIGATION. A WOMAN BREAKS HER SILENCE ABOUT SEXUAL ABUSE. HER CLAIMS ABOUT ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S MOST POWERFUL EVANGELICAL >>> BACK NOW WITH >>> BACK NOW WITH OUR NBC NEWS INVESTIGATION INVOLVING ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL EVANGELICAL CHURCH LEADERS IN THE COUNTRY AND THE ALLEGATION THAT AS A YOUNG PASTOR, HE SEXUALLY ABUSED A MINOR. ANTONIA HYLTON NOW WITH THAT REPORT. WE WANT TO WARN YOU, SOME OF THE DETAILS ARE DISTURBING. >> Reporter: FOR DECADES, CINDY CLEMISHIRE CARRIED ANGER AND SHAME AS SHE WATCHED THE METEORIC RISE OF MEGACHURCH PASTOR ROBERT MORRIS. >> THANK YOU, JESUS. >> WATCHING HIM HAS BEEN HARDER AND HARDER. >> Reporter: MORRIS FOUNDED GATEWAY CHURCH IN 2000. >> IF YOU DON'T TELL THE WHOLE TRUTH, YOU'RE NOT BEING HONEST. >> Reporter: ONE OF THE LARGEST EVANGELICAL CONGREGATIONS IN THE NATION, WITH NINE CAMPUSES IN NORTH TEXAS AND TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DEVOTED WORSHIPPERS. HE BECAME A MEMBER OF PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S SPIRITUAL ADVISORY COUNCIL. BUT TO CINDY, MORRIS WAS A TRAVELING EVANGELIST WHO BEGAN TO SEXUAL ABUSE HER ON CHRISTMAS DAY 1982. >> HE TOLD ME SAID HEY, COME IN MY ROOM BEFORE YOU GO TO BED TONIGHT. I WANT TO TALK TO YOU. >> Reporter: HE WAS 21. CINDY WAS 12. >> IT STARTED BY TOUCHING MY BREASTS AND PUTTING HIS HANDS IN MY PANTS. HE WANTED ME TO STAND AND CLOSE MY EYES SO HE COULD LIFT MY SHIRT AND PULL MY PANTS DOWN AND JUST LOOK AT ME AS A 12-YEAR-OLD. >> Reporter: DO YOU REMEMBER WHAT HE WOULD SAY TO YOU, WHAT HE'D TELL YOU? >> WELL, THE VERY FIRST TIME HE TOLD ME YOU CAN'T TELL ANYONE, BECAUSE IT WILL RUIN EVERYTHING. >> Reporter: SHE SAYS THE ABUSE LASTED FOUR YEARS UNTIL SHE TOLD HER FAMILY WHAT WAS HAPPENING. IN 2005, AFTER YEARS OF STRUGGLING, CINDY REACHED OUT TO MORRIS AND SUGGESTED THAT HE PAY HER RESTITUTION. >> NO ONE CAN GIVE ME BACK MY TEENAGED YEARS. >> Reporter: IT WAS JUST LAST MONTH THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME SHE SHARED HER STORY PUBLICLY ONLINE. MORRIS HAD BEEN SHARING HIS VERSION FOR YEARS. >> SEXUAL TEMPTATION IS AN APPETITE OF THE FLESH. AND I DEVELOPED AN APPETITE BEFORE I WAS SAVED. >> Reporter: AS HE ROSE IN INFLUENCE AND POWER IN GATEWAY, MORRIS SOMETIMES ALLUDED TO PAST TRANSGRESSIONS. >> I WAS VERY IMMORAL, AND I WAS IMMORAL A LOT. >> Reporter: IN JUNE, MORRIS TOLD THE CHRISTIAN POST HE HAD INAPPROPRIATE SEXUAL BEHAVIOR WITH A YOUNG LADY AND RESIGNED FROM GATEWAY. GATEWAY TOLD NBC NEWS IT IS COMMITTED TO PROTECTING PEOPLE, FIRST AND FOREMOST CHILDREN, AND IT HAS RETAINED A LAW FIRM TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION. GATEWAY SAYS BEFORE LAST MONTH, THE CURRENT ELDERS DID NOT HAVE ALL THE FACTS. FORMER GATEWAY PASTOR STEVEN LeBLANC SAYS PARTS OF ROBERT MORRIS' PAST WERE KNOWN FOR YEARS. HE JUST DIDN'T KNOW CINDY'S EXACT AGE. >> IT WASN'T CLOAKED AT ALL. IT WAS COMMON KNOWLEDGE. AND IN A WAY, SOMEHOW CELEBRATED THAT GOD HAD DISCIPLINED THE MAN AND RESTORED HIM. >> Reporter: EVEN NOW HE WORRIES FORMER COLLEAGUES AREN'T BEING HONEST ABOUT WHAT THEY KNEW. >> I CAN'T THINK OF ANY ACCOUNTABILITY THAT THEY'VE TAKEN OTHER THAN TO PLEAD IGNORANCE. >> Reporter: AND YOU DON'T BUY IT? >> NO. >> Reporter: OTHER INCIDENTS BRING THE CULTURE OF THE CHURCH INTO QUESTION. COURT DOCUMENTS SHOW EARLIER THIS YEAR GATEWAY CHURCH SETTLED A LAWSUIT BROUGHT IN 2020 BY THE MOTHER OF A MINER WHO ALLEGES SHE WAS SEXUALLY ASSAULTED BY ANOTHER MEMBER, AND THAT GATEWAY LEADERS CONCEALED AND DISCREDITED EVIDENCE. THE CHURCH DID NOT ADMIT TO ANY LIABILITY. >> THEY DON'T LOOK AT A CHILD AS SOMEONE TO PROTECT. LET'S USE THE CHILD IN ANY WAY WE HAVE TO, TO PROTECT OURSELVES. >> Reporter: IN LETTERS ROBERT MORRIS'S ATTORNEYS BLAMED CINDY, CLAIMING SHE INITIATED INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR. CINDY AND HER ATTORNEYS SAY THAT SAME YEAR, ROBERT MORRIS ASKED HER TO SIGN AN NDA IN EXCHANGE FOR $25,000. SHE REFUSED. MORRIS DID NOT RESPOND TO MULTIPLE INTERVIEW REQUESTS. WHILE GATEWAY'S REVIEW IS UNDER WAY, FOUR CHURCH OFFICIALS HAVE TAKEN A LEAVE OF ABSENCE FROM THE BOARD OF ELDERS. DO YOU THINK EVEN NOW GATEWAY IS PROTECTING HIM? >> I DO. >> Reporter: CINDY SAYS WHAT SHE WANTS NOW IS TO HELP OTHER SURVIVORS FEEL LESS ALONE. ANTONIA HYLTON, NBC NEWS, SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS. >>> WE WILL TAKE A BREAK RIGHT HERE. WHEN WE COME BACK, OUR FIRST LOOK AT SOME NEW STARS REVIVING A LONG TRADITION OF PANDA DIPLOMAC >>> FINALLY, YOUR FIRST LOOK AT THE NEWEST EDITIONS TO THE SAN DIEGO ZOO. THE FIRST GIANT PANDAS TO ARRIVE IN THE U.S. IN 21 YEARS. HERE IS LIZ KREUTZ. >> Reporter: THEY'RE OBJECTIVELY THE COUNTRY'S CUTEST DIPLOMATS, AND THEY'RE OFFICIALLY NOW ON U.S. SOIL. THE SAN DIEGO ZOO SHARING THESE SNEAK PEEK IMAGES OF 5-YEAR-OLD YUN CHUAN AND 4-YEAR-OLD XIN BAO, THE FIRST GIANT PANDAS TO ENTER THE UNITED STATES IN MORE THAN 20 YEARS. >> EXCITED, REALLY. >> IT'S EXCITING. IT'S SO COOL. >> Reporter: THE ADORABLE DUO'S JOURNEY FROM CHINA BEGAN TWO MONTHS AGO AFTER MONTHS OF PREPARATION, THE FIRST OF EVEN MORE PANDAS BOUND FOR THE U.S., INCLUDING WASHINGTON, D.C. LATER THIS YEAR. IT ALL MARKS THE REVIVAL OF CHINA'S PANDA DIPLOMACY, WHICH BEGAN IN 1972 WHEN A PAIR OF PANDAS FIRST ARRIVED TO THE NATION'S CAPITAL. >> I THINK PANDA-MONIUM IS GOING TO BREAK OUT AT THE ZOO. >> Reporter: 52 YEARS LATER, THE FEELING HASN'T CHANGED. >> IT IS SO SPECIAL FOR EVERYBODY. OUR TEAM MEMBERS NOW GET TO CARE FOR THEM AGAIN. >> Reporter: NOW IT'S STILL UNKNOWN WHEN THE PANDAS WILL BE VIEWABLE TO THE PUBLIC. THEY'RE CURRENTLY IN QUARANTINE. ZOO OFFICIALS SAY THEY'RE SETTLING IN WELL TO THEIR NEW CALIFORNIA LIFE. THE ZOO WRITING THE GIRL, XIN BAO, LOVES SUNBATHING AND CHOWING DOWN ON HER FAVORITE FOOD, BAMBOO. WHILE THE BOY, YUN CHUAN, HAS BEEN SPENDING HIS DAYS CLIMBING TREES OR ROLLING IN THE GRASS. >> IT'S WONDERFUL THAT THEY WANT TO BRING THEM BACK SO EVERYBODY CAN SEE THE PANDAS. >> I THINK THIS IS WHAT PEACE IS. >> Reporter: THE TWO NOW FUR EVER FRIENDS, HELPING MAKE THE STRAINED RELATIONS BETWEEN THEIR OLD AND NEW COUNTRIES A LITTLE MORE BEARABLE. LIZ KREUTZ, NBC NEWS. >> WELL, WE CAN'T TOP THOSE IMAGES. SO WE'LL SAY GOOD NIGHT. THAT'S "NIGHTLY NEWS" FOR THIS TUESDAY. THANK YOU FOR WATCHING. I'M LESTER HOLT. PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND EACH OTHER. GOOD NIGHT.