Rick Warren

Rick Warren’s son has taken his own life. Matthew Warren, 27, had struggled with mental illness before his death.

Evangelist Greg Laurie posted an e-mail the Saddleback Church pastor sent to this staff: “Only those closest knew that he (Matthew) 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. Today, after a fun evening together with Kay and me, in a momentary wave of despair at his home, he took his life.” Click here to read a prayer request Rick Warren e-mailed to his staff.

Prayers and condolences are flooding into Warren’s Facebook page. And Laurie also expressed his heartfelt pain over Warren’s loss.

“I too have had a son die, so I have a sense of the pain Rick and Kay are facing. But their circumstances are different and my heart goes out to them,” Laurie wrote on his Facebook page. “At times like these, there really are no words, but there is the Word. There is no manual, but there is Emmanuel. God is with us. I know the Lord will be there for all of the Warren family and Saddleback Church as they grieve together. Looking forward to that day when God will ‘restore all things’ (Acts 3:21)."

Get Charisma's best content delivered right to your inbox! Never miss a big news story again. Click here to subscribe to the Charisma News newsletter.

Great End of Summer Deals from CHARISMA:

#1 End of Summer 50% Off Sale: Click Here for Books Click Here for Health Click Here for Bibles

#2 CHARISMA'S Best Book Bundles: Click Here to view all our bundles and save up to 72%!

#3 Limited Time Offer: Enroll in a FREE eCourse from CHARISMA. Click Here to view all available courses.

Summer Subscription Offer: Subscribe to Charisma for Only $24.95 and get Thomas Horn's newest book, The Wormwood Prophecy, free! View Offer

See an error in this article? Send us a correction