MATTHEW Warren, the youngest son of popular pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, United States (U.S.), Rick Warren, has committed suicide.

The late young man – one of three children of Warren and his wife, Kay – killed himself on Friday, the evangelical pastor revealed in an emotional letter to his church members.

Warren, the popular author of The Purpose Driven Life, said in the letter that “at 27 years of age, Matthew was an incredibly kind, gentle and compassionate young man whose sweet spirit was encouragement and comfort to many.

“Unfortunately, he also suffered from mental illness resulting in deep depression and suicidal thoughts.”

Continuing, Warren wrote: “No words can express the anguished grief we feel right now.

“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.

“In spite of America’s best doctors, meds, counsellors, 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.”

However, the pastor added that he and his wife “marvelled at his courage” to fight “relentless pain.”

“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?’ but he kept going for another decade,” the pastor indicated.

Warren thanked church members and supporters for their “love and prayers,” telling them “we love you back.”

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