Rick Warren, the pastor famously known for writing "The Purpose of Driven Life", announced today that his son committed suicide on Friday morning. 27-year-old Matthew Warren had been furiously fighting depression his whole life until he finally lost the battle, putting a bullet through his head.

The family shared news of his death in an e-mail to church staff.

"No words can express the anguished grief we feel right now," the pastor wrote in the note, a copy of which was sent to CNN.

The letter continues with:

"You who watched Matthew grow up knew he was an incredibly kind, gentle, and compassionate man. He had 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.

"But only those closest knew that he struggled from birth with mental illness, dark holes of depression, and even suicidal thoughts. In spite of America's best doctors, meds, counselors, and prayers for healing, the torture of mental illness never subsided."

"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."

The pastor's letter was very moving and refreshing for him to not drown in his sorrows and discuss his son's death in a religious way. He opens up generously about mental illness and is not afraid to share his son's shortcomings.

As a pioneer of the megachurch movement, Rick Warren looked to translate traditional evangelical messages to a wider audience.

Besides writing the Christian self-help guide that became a mainstream best-seller, the pastor gave the invocation at President Barack Obama's 2009 inauguration and founded Saddleback Valley Community Church, a megachurch in Southern California.

Warren Thanked church members for their love, support and prayers.

Call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.