LAKE FOREST, Calif. — Popular evangelical Pastor Rick Warren’s 27-year-old son committed suicide yesterday, Warren’s church announced.
Matthew, the youngest of Rick and Kay Warren’s three kids, had struggled with mental illness and depression, according to Saddleback Valley Community Church, which is near LA.
He “was an incredibly kind, gentle and compassionate young man whose sweet spirit was encouragement and comfort to many,” the church’s statement said.
“Despite the best health care available, [his] was an illness that was never fully controlled, and the emotional pain resulted in his decision to take his life.”
Rick Warren, author of “The Purpose Driven Life,” delivered the invocation at President Obama’s 2009 inaugural. About 20,000 people attend his weekend services, says the church’s Web site.