TheJourneyOfPastor Rick & Kay
Over the past 43 years, God has changed the world through Saddleback Church as Pastor Rick and Kay have led the way in faith, trusting that God keeps his promises. Now, as Saddleback enters into a historic season of change that has us believing some of Saddleback's best days lie ahead, we celebrate our beloved co-founders and thank God for his faithfulness to them and to us!
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Believing
When God called the Warrens to start a new church in Southern California at the base of Saddleback Mountain, they had no money, no land, no buildings, and no members – but they had a dream! And because they believed in their God-inspired dream, they were ready for action and willing to risk it all.
When you believe in the dream God has given you and move forward in bold faith, God will see it through.
Humble Beginnings
Within a week of sensing God's call on their life to plant a church in the Saddleback Valley, Rick and Kay flew to Orange County to check out the area. Just months later, they started a Bible study in their living room with 15 people.
A God-Given Dream
As Rick walked onto the stage and preached his first message as Saddleback's Senior Pastor on April 6, 1980, he laid out the vision God had given him in front of a crowd of 250 people. It was a vision of a church where the hurting and the lost could find hope, love, and acceptance; a church unheard of in scope and size; and a church that empowered its members to change the world for the Kingdom of God.
Over the past 43 years, every single one of those visions has come to fruition.
Reaching
Throughout the years, God has given Pastor Rick and Kay and Saddleback Church a vision for both our local communities, as well as people around the world. Since Saddleback began, our church family has given over $1 billion to help bring God's message of hope both locally and globally.
Our Global Impact
Below is a list of ministries and initiatives the Warrens have spearheaded that have impacted communities all over the world.
Loving
“Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?”
It's hard to imagine a pastor that loves their church family like Pastor Rick and Kay.
As trends have come and gone, pop culture has shifted, and technology has advanced, their love for God and his church have remained our constant. Their character and integrity have always been a cornerstone to our community.
Have we told you lately that we love you, Pastor Rick and Kay?
Over 1 Million Hugs given
Before he was ever “America's Pastor,” he was our pastor. From his big hugs and Hawaiian shirts, to his hot sauce collection and love of books, to his goofy sense of humor and his infectious laugh, we've been blessed by it all!
- Have I told you lately that I love you?
- Humility is not thinking less of yourself. It's thinking of yourself less.
- Leaders are learners.
- It takes a team to fulfill a dream.
- Let your greatest mess become your greatest masterpiece.
- Revealing your feeling is the beginning of healing.
- Your DNA is not your destiny.
- God's purpose is not limited by your past.
- It's like teaching an ant how to use the internet.
- With every promise, there's a premise.
- Whatever you resist persists.
- You make a living by getting; you make a life by giving.
- You don't realize God is all you need until God is all you've got.
- Prayer should be our first response, not our last resort.
- The question is not "Who do we think we are?" It's "Who do we think God is?
- God's purpose is greater than your problem.
- If it's big enough to worry about, it's big enough to pray about.
Expecting
Saddleback Church has always expected God to do great things. When people would ask Pastor Rick if he expected our church to be this big, and to make this kind of impact, his answer was always “Absolutely! Not because of who I am, but because of who God is.“
Jesus said in Matthew 9:29, “Because of your faith, it will happen.“ God does in your life what you expect him to do, which is why we know great things are in store for Pastor Rick and Saddleback Church!
“ You remain faithful in every generation.“ Psalm 119:90a (CEV)
Finishing the task
After 43 years of leading one of the largest and most influential churches in the world, one might expect Pastor Rick's next season of life to be spent vacationing or on a La-Z-Boy® recliner. The word retirement, however, does not exactly sit well with America's Pastor.
“I don't believe in retirement,” Pastor Rick said. “I believe that if you are alive, then God has a purpose for your life.”
That strongly held belief, combined with an “addiction to changed lives,” and an unshakeable faith in God is what has guided Pastor Rick to his next task in life: Finishing the Task.
“It is time to really make this a true movement of the whole body of Christ,” he said. “To finish the task before us, we need 100 percent participation. There are no spectators in the army of God – in the mission of God. We have to mobilize every member for ministry in every church. Everybody can have a role, everybody can use their gift. The church is not an audience, it's an army.”
There is no telling how long Pastor Rick will lead this massive army of believers, but one thing is sure, he plans to be a soldier in that army until his last breath.
“Until I die, I'm going to be charging hell with a squirt gun,” he said.
The Next Wave
God always finishes what he starts. Pastor Rick and Kay have laid a foundation of faith for this church, and by God's faithfulness the best days are ahead of us. He will continue to fulfill his purposes for Pastor Rick and Kay, and for Saddleback Church!
“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 1:6