Kay Warren (author)
Kay Warren | |
|---|---|
Kay Warren speaking in 2015. | |
| Born | Elizabeth Kay Lewis February 9, 1954 San Diego, California, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Author and speaker[1][2] |
| Years active | 1980–present |
| Spouse | Rick Warren (m. 1975) |
| Children | 3 |
| Website | kaywarren |
Kay Warren (born Elizabeth Kay Lewis; February 9, 1954) is an American author, international speaker, Bible teacher and mental health advocate. She is the co-founder of the sixth-largest evangelical megachurch in the United States, Saddleback Church.[3][4] Her ministry is headquartered in Lake Forest, California.
Personal life
Warren was born in San Diego, California, to Reverend B. LaVern and Bobbie Lewis.[5] She attended California Baptist College in Riverside, California, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University, Los Angeles in 1976.
Warren married Rick Warren on June 21, 1975, and has three children:
Ministry
Saddleback Church launched with seven people as a Bible study group in 1980. During that same year, the first service took place in a high school gymnasium on Easter Sunday. In 2017 the church attendance was 22,000 people.[6][7]
In 2004, Warren founded both the HIV/AIDS and orphan care initiatives at Saddleback Church.[8] Through global summits about HIV/AIDS and civil forums held at the church, Warren and her husband promoted HIV prevention, treatment and care, as well as advocating for orphaned children. Warren became an advocate for people living with mental illness and suicide prevention when her son, Matthew, took his life in 2013.[9] Warren founded the Hope for Mental Health Initiative at Saddleback Church in 2014 and serves as an executive committee board member for the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention.
Selected bibliography
- Say Yes to God: A Call to Courageous Surrender. 2010. ISBN 978-0310328360.
- Choose Joy: Because Happiness Isn't Enough. 2012. ISBN 978-0800722135.[2]
- Sacred Privilege: Your Life and Ministry as a Pastor's Wife. 2017. ISBN 978-0800729677.
References
- ^ Church Where Pastor Jarrid Wilson Preached Before His Suicide Death Hosts Service in His Honor at People.com; by Robyn Merrett; published September 14, 2019; retrieved October 23, 2019
- ^ a b Christian author whose son died by suicide to discuss 'Life after Loss' in Colorado Springs at Colorado Springs Gazette; by Debbie Kelley; published April 23, 2019; retrieved 2019
- ^ Top 100 Largest Churches in America at Sermon Central; published 2017; retrieved 2019
- ^ Inspired With Kay Warren at NBC News; published June 9, 2014; retrieved 2019
- ^ The Birth of Elizabeth Lewis at California Birth Index; retrieved 2019
- ^ U.S. evangelicals strive to change attitudes on AIDS at Reuters.com; published November 28, 2007; retrieved 2019
- ^ Rick Warren Reports Double Rise in Saddleback Easter Attendance, Hundreds Turning to Christ in Tears at Christian Post; published April 17, 2017; retrieved 2019
- ^ Kay Warren on God: ‘There are times that I feel it’s all a big cosmic joke’ at The Washington Post; by Sally Quinn; published August 7, 2012; retrieved 2019
- ^ Moges-Gerbi, Meron (2016-05-13). "Mom finds new calling after son's suicide". CNN. Retrieved 2025-06-02.