"And the truth is that we're all broken trees because everything's broken. And I remember writing in my journal that day, 'In God's garden of grace even broken trees bear fruit'." And the ones that meant the most to us were not from the famous people, the rock stars, or the prime ministers, but actually the letters that meant the most to us, were ones from people that Matthew had led to faith in Christ. There was an enormous outpouring from people.
When he died, we probably received about 35,000 letters of condolences from people all around the world. And Matthew had a tender heart and a broken mind. But if my brain doesn't work and I take a pill for that, why am I supposed to hide that and be ashamed of it? It's just another organ."Īfter a brief pause, he added, "Your illness is not your identity. If my stomach doesn't work, I take a pill for it and there's no shame. It's the one thing that nobody wants to talk about. We used to think that AIDS was the last taboo that people didn't want to talk about, but now, I really think mental illness is the last taboo. Rick stated, "Some years ago, Kay and I launched the HIV&AIDS Initiative at Saddleback Church, which is one of our signature issues. He struggled with depression and so many things for so long and we would go to doctor after doctor, and our hearts go out to people who have family members who struggle with mental illness." When Matthew died, this was the day that we prayed would never happen, and the day we feared might since he struggled with mental illness since a little boy. Now I'm not grieving for him for I know where he is. "I don't see that as a sign of weakness, but as a sign of love. I've cried every single day since Matthew died. The Bible says that there's a 'time to laugh' and 'a time to cry.' And I do both every day. Pastor Warren then said, "That's a good point that it's not a contradiction to be able to laugh and cry at the same time. It's ok to walk through life with tears in your eyes and a smile on your face at the same time." Holding back the tears, Kay stated, "I'll live with a broken heart until the day that Jesus comes for me, and that's ok. And that truth has given me I think a deeper confidence in sharing with people as I enter into their pain, their suffering, their sorrow, whatever it is that they're struggling with, I'm more sure of heaven, and of God's mercy, than I have ever been before." Rick Warren speaking from Home Plate at Angel Stadium"But if it's true, if Jesus did raise from the dead, then that means that Jesus is alive today, and Matthew is alive today, and we'll be alive someday when we leave this life, when these bodies die. But at the same time, I know my own hope is stronger and I minister from a stronger place of hope than I ever have before because I have a very clear recognition that the truth of the Gospel is either true or it's not and if it's not true then we just need to forget it all, go home, call it a farce, call it a fairytale and go home. I wish our hearts hadn't been broken and crushed and those are changes that I wish hadn't happened. And some of that is changes I wish hadn't happened. The Rick and Kay who were alive on April 4th 2013, are not the same people that exist since April 5th 2013.
Kay Warren then said, "We're not the same people. It was a very difficult year and you don't get over it - you get through it - and the press was incredibly gracious, incredibly kind and gracious, and we'll always be grateful for that."
The loss of our son two years ago, was the worst day of our lives. First let me just say, on behalf of Kay and our family, thank you for your kindness when our son died. We dared to dream big, and God has done big things in the life of this church."īut one person who was not there was Matthew Warren, the beloved son of the couple, who died at the age of 27, from a self-inflicted gunshot almost two years ago, after a lifelong struggle with depression and mental illness.ĭuring a press conference prior to the service, Rick Warren began by saying, "It's good to see you guys. Rick and Kay Warren at press conference said, "It has everything to do with God's grace. "God has blessed Saddleback Church in an unusual way, but it has nothing to do with our being deserving," said Pastor Warren, speaking on the mound at the famed baseball home of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Pastor Warren preached the same sermon he preached during the first service hosted by Saddleback Church in 1980, titled "A Daring Faith" - but in past tense, proving how the founding members' vision has become a reality. Saddleback Church, founded by Pastor Rick and Kay Warren, celebrated 35 years of ministry influence and impact during a special community-wide service on Saturday (March 21, 2015) at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.
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