Rick Warren's Son Commits Suicide

by Steve Eastman, Faith Issues

Saddleback Community Church spokeswoman Kristin Cole says Matthew Warren died Friday night.

A statement from the church says the 27 year-old man “suffered from mental illness resulting in deep depression and suicidal thoughts. 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.”

Pastor Rick Warren emailed his staff that he and his wife enjoyed a fun evening with their son before he took his life “in a momentary wave of dispair.”  Orange County officials announce the cause of death as an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Warren remembers Matthew as having “a brilliant intellect and a gift for sensing who was most in pain or most uncomfortable in a room. He’d then make a bee-line to that person to engage and encourage them.”

Rick Warren founded Saddleback Community in 1980.  The Southern California church has grown to a membership of 20,000.

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