Our Purpose
HOPE for Mental Health
Studies show that when people are struggling with mental illness, the first place they call is the church.
Let's be ready.
"Your greatest ministry will flow out of your greatest pain." — Pastor Rick Warren
The commitment of Saddleback Church to people living with mental illness greatly increased on April 5, 2013 when Pastor Rick and Kay’s youngest son, Matthew, took his life after a lifelong struggle with mental illness. In the midst of the devastating loss of Matthew, Pastor Rick and Kay along with the Saddleback community, have united together to journey alongside people living with mental illness and their families in a holistic way.
The Hope for Mental Health Ministry extends the radical friendship of Jesus by providing transforming love, support, and hope through the local church. The heart of this ministry comes from three passages of Scripture: "I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you" (John 15:15), "Serve one another in love" (Galatians 5:13b), and "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13).
Five life-transforming Scriptural truths that shape our approach to the Mental Health Ministry are illustrated in The Hope Circle: you are loved, you have a purpose, you belong, you have a choice, and you are needed.
Resources
Learn how you can start a mental health ministry in your church.
