Rick Warren

Richard Duane Warren, known as Rick Warren, is an American evangelical pastor, theologian and author whose work has reached well beyond his own congregation. Born in 1954 in San Jose, California, he became one of the most widely read voices in contemporary evangelical Christianity, and his influence extends internationally through his books and his frequent speaking engagements.

He was raised in Ukiah, California, the son of a Baptist minister and a high-school librarian. He earned a bachelor's degree at California Baptist University, a master's degree in divinity at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Texas in 1979, and later a doctorate in ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary. While in Texas he began writing books, initially in collaboration with other authors.

In 1980 he founded Saddleback Church in Orange County, California, starting with a small Bible study group that met in his home. The congregation grew quickly into one of the largest in the country. From that experience came his approach to church growth, built around five purposes: worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry and evangelism. He published The Purpose Driven Church in 1995 and The Purpose Driven Life in 2002, the latter a devotional book that has sold more than 30 million copies.

Warren has addressed major forums such as the United Nations and the World Economic Forum in Davos, speaking on poverty, health and education. His views on same-sex marriage and other moral questions have drawn both support and criticism. In 2009 he gave the invocation at the inauguration of President Barack Obama. Since 2022 he has served as executive director of the Finishing the Task mission coalition.

His legacy lies largely in the way many churches think about growth, organization and their role in the community. His books have been translated into dozens of languages and are read by many people outside his own tradition.