Kay Warren

Kay Warren is an American author, speaker, Bible teacher, and mental health advocate. She co-founded Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, alongside her husband, Rick Warren, in 1980. The church has grown into one of the largest evangelical megachurches in the United States.

Following the tragic death of her son, Matthew, who experienced serious mental illness, Kay became a leading voice in mental health and suicide prevention. She founded Saddleback’s Hope for Mental Health Initiative in 2014 and later launched BREATHE in 2019 to support parents of children with severe mental health conditions. In 2024, she created Hope for Brighter Tomorrows, a nonprofit empowering families and churches to address mental health challenges.

Kay served on the board of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention and remains active in local mental health efforts in Orange County, California. She has authored several books, including 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 co-authored Foundations, a widely used systematic theology course.

Kay and Rick are parents to three children—Amy, Josh, and Matthew (who is in Heaven)—and grandparents to five. Their personal experiences, faith journey, and commitment to serving others have made them influential voices in Christian ministry and global mental health advocacy.