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in worship services, in groups or classes, and as individuals.

In his " News & Views" blog post that was also sent out by email, Warren writes, "Dear friends, please help us get this word to your pastor and the leaders of all churches that prayed for our family last week. Grieving while haters celebrate your pain, hardest. Warren posted through Facebook and Twitter: "Grieving is hard. He had struggled with mental illness since birth, said Warren, who is the lead pastor at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif.ĭuring the week, the response to the Warren family tragedy not only garnered sympathy and condolences from around the world, but also online vitriol from the well-known pastor's detractors. He gained attention that year with his invocation at President Barack Obama's inauguration that year and comments he made in the aftermath of California's Proposition 8, which overturned gay marriage.Pastor Rick Warren sent a letter of appreciation via his newsletter over the weekend to everyone that prayed for his family in the aftershock of the suicide of his 27-year-old son Matthew a little more than a week ago.Ī private memorial service was held last week for Matthew Warren, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Friday, April 5. Warren was named the top newsmaker of the year for 2009 by the Religion Newswriters Association. The church says it now offers more than 200 community ministries and support groups for parents, families, children, couples, prisoners, addicts, and people living with HIV, depression and other illnesses. Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney had been invited to a similar forum last fall, but Warren canceled it, saying the campaign had become too uncivil.Īs Saddleback has grown over the years, it has spread out from its Lake Forest headquarters, 65 miles southeast of Los Angeles, adding several other campuses and ministries around Southern California. In 2008, the church sponsored a presidential forum with Obama and Republican Sen. He and his wife, Kay, began by holding Bible studies for people who weren't regular churchgoers.

The elder Warren founded Saddleback Church in 1980, according to his biography on the church website, and over the years watched it grow to 20,000 members. He'd then make a bee-line to that person to engage and encourage them." "He had a brilliant intellect and a gift for sensing who was most in pain or most uncomfortable in a room. "You who watched Matthew grow up knew he was an incredibly kind, gentle, and compassionate man," Warren wrote. Why can't I just die and end this pain?'" Warren recalled.ĭespite that, he said, his son lived for another decade, during which he often reached out to help others. "I'll never forget how, many years ago, after another approach had failed to give relief, Matthew said 'Dad, I know I'm going to heaven. Over the years, Matthew Warren had been treated by America s best doctors, had received counseling and medication and been the recipient of numerous prayers from others, his father said. Warren, the author of the multimillion-selling book "The Purpose Driven Life," said in an email to church staff that he and his wife had enjoyed a fun Friday evening with their son before Matthew Warren returned home to take his life in "a momentary wave of despair."Ĭhurch spokeswoman Kristin Cole said he died Friday night. Despite the best health care available, this was an illness that was never fully controlled and the emotional pain resulted in his decision to take his life." "Unfortunately, he also suffered from mental illness resulting in deep depression and suicidal thoughts.

"Matthew was an incredibly kind, gentle and compassionate young man whose sweet spirit was encouragement and comfort to many," the statement said. Warren's Saddleback Valley Community Church said in a statement that Matthew Warren had struggled with mental illness and deep depression throughout his life. The Southern California church headed by popular evangelical Pastor Rick Warren announced Saturday that Warren's 27-year-old son has committed suicide.