Rick Warren’s Son Dies: Son Of Influential Minister Committed Suicide, Suffered From Mental Illness

The Rev. Rick Warren’s son dies. The 27-year-old son of one of America’s most influential church leaders committed suicide. Mr. Warren said in an e-mail released on Saturday to staff members and attendees of his 20,000-member Saddleback Valley Community Church.

Rick Warren said in the e-mail that Matthew Warren, his youngest son, had “struggled from birth with mental illness, dark holes of depression, and even suicidal thoughts.” After spending a joyful evening with his parents, the e-mail said, “in a momentary wave of despair at his home, he took his life.”

Mr. Warren, in the e-mail, said that he and his wife Kay, often marveled at Matthew Warren’s “courage to keep moving in spite of relentless pain. 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. Why can’t I just die and end this pain?’ but he kept going for another decade.”

Rick Warren is a high-profile evangelical leader and is the author of best-selling books like “The Purpose Driven Life.” He was chosen to do the invocation for President Obama’s first inauguration back in 2009. At that time, liberal and gay rights organizations have complained about Mr. Warren’s opposition to abortion and gay rights. During the 2008 presidential campaign, he moderated a forum on social issues and persona world views at his church with then candidate and Senator Obama and his Republican opponent, Senator John McCain.

Mr. Warren’s church in Orange County, Calif., is one of America’s largest evangelical congregations. In a separate statement, it said of the incident that it is “deeply grieved for the loss of Pastor Rick and Kay Warren upon hearing of the death of their youngest son, Matthew.”