Pastor Rick Warren’s 27-year-old son has committed suicide, Saddleback Valley Community Church announced in a statement it released on Saturday. According to the statement, Matthew Warren had struggled with mental illness and deep depression throughout his life.
"Matthew was an incredibly kind, gentle and compassionate young man whose sweet spirit was encouragement and comfort to many," the statement said.
"Unfortunately, he also 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."
In an email to his church staff, Pastor Warren wrote that he and his wife Kay had enjoyed a fun Friday evening with Matthew before their son returned home to take his life in "a momentary wave of despair."
Matthew Warren died Friday night, according to church spokeswoman Kristin Cole.
According to Pastor Warren, Matthew had been treated by the best doctors in America and had received both counseling and medication. He had also been the recipient of numerous prayers from others, his father said, but he struggled with the pain of depression for years.
"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?'" Warren was quoted as saying in an article published Saturday by the Associated Press.
Nevertheless, Matthew lived for another decade, his father said. He added that his son often reached out to help others during that time.
"You who watched Matthew grow up knew he was an incredibly kind, gentle, and compassionate man," wrote Warren, the author of ‘The Purpose Driven Life’ – the popular, multimillion-dollar selling book.
"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."
Pastor Warren founded Saddleback Church in 1980, when he and his wife began holding Bible studies for people who weren't regular churchgoers. The church has since increased its membership to over 20,000 and now spreads over 65 miles southeast of Los Angeles, with several other campuses and ministries added throughout Southern California since its humble beginnings.
In fact, the church now has over 200 community ministries and support groups for parents, families, children, couples, prisoners, addicts, and people living with HIV, depression and other illnesses.
Sadly, it wasn’t enough to help Matthew Warren, whose pain from depression was apparently so deep that he took his own life in a moment of despair.
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