Pastor Rick Warren to Visit San Clemente Sunday

Saddleback Church Pastor Rick Warren will visit the San Clemente campus this Sunday, his first trip here since his son, Matthew, committed suicide.

Warren, along with his wife, Kay, whose grieving process, was recently featured in People magazine, and shared on CNN’s Piers Morgan Show, will be on hand to help celebrate what the local regional campus of the church based in San Clemente has meant to the community over the last several years, according to a church press release.

Matt Biolos, world-renowned surfboard shaper and longtime resident of San Clemente, is offering a surfboard in recognition of Pastor Rick's contribution to the community of San Clemente.

"While myself, not a member, it’s impossible to not recognize or respect the continuous positive impact Saddleback has on our local community,” Biolas said in the release. “The consistent assistance they lend to the homeless and the positive support and sensibility instilled in so many local families makes it an honor to give this …Lost Surfboard to Pastor Rick and hope maybe he'll paddle out at Churches (surf spot)."

Members of Camp Pendleton will also be on hand to present gifts in appreciation for Saddleback’s continued care given to active-duty families. Saddleback San Clemente immediately began reaching out to families by supplying more than 3,500 backpacks for school children and regular baby shower events for expecting mothers. 

Adults Pastor Eric Falcinella said he looks forward to the visit that will include Pastor Rick performing baptisms. 

“We love our pastor very much,” Falcinella said. “We are very excited as a church to spend some quality time with him. Our hearts have been aching with him during these challenging times. We look forward to his amazing hugs.”

This weekend also marks the one-year anniversary of the San Clemente branch being in its new facility.

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