Kay Warren
Biography
Kay Warren cofounded Saddleback Church with her husband Rick in Lake Forest, CA in 1980 where they served until Rick’s retirement in September 2022. After the death of her son, Matthew, who lived with serious mental illness for most of his life, she founded Saddleback’s Hope for Mental Health Initiative as a way to support individuals and family members of loved ones with mental illness and suicidal ideation. In 2019, Kay started BREATHE, a ministry to support parents of children with serious mental illness. BREATHE events include weekend respite retreats, online retreats, and free Zoom calls with mental health professionals.
Kay was a board member of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention and is active in mental health/suicide prevention efforts in Orange County, CA. Kay is the author of Sacred Privilege: Your Life and Ministry as a Pastor's Wife, Choose Joy: Because Happiness Isn't Enough, Say Yes to God: A Call to Courageous Surrender, and the coauthor of Foundations, a popular systematic theology course used by churches worldwide. Her children are Amy, Josh, and Matthew (who is in Heaven), and she has five grandchildren.
Follow Kay on Facebook (KayWarrensPage), Twitter (@KayWarren1), and Instagram (@KayWarren75).
Sacred Privilege
As a pastor's wife and pastor's daughter, Kay Warren has learned from years of experience about the unique role women play in ministry. In her book, Kay gives an inside look at the significance and impact of pastors' wives, the ups and downs of ministry life, and offers affirmation to any who feel the pressure of a public position. Kay's warm and wise advice will give you the confidence you need to lead and live well. Whether you're coming from a place of joy and excitement, or are feeling tired, you'll see how your work and effort are worth the risk.
