Kay Warren (USA) cofounded Saddleback Church with her husband Rick in 1980 and served there until Rick’s retirement from senior leadership in September 2022.
Kay is an author, speaker, and Bible teacher. After the death of their son Matthew, who lived with serious mental illness for most of his life, she founded Saddleback’s Hope for Mental Health Initiative and the Hope for Mental Health Community to provide a safe and welcoming place for individuals and families to receive accurate psychoeducation, build community, and be fully incorporated into the life of the church.
In 2019, Kay created BREATHE, a ministry specifically designed to support parents of children living with serious mental illness. In 2024, Kay launched Hope for Brighter Tomorrows, a Christian nonprofit organization that strengthens families impacted by mental health challenges and equips churches to support these families.