Saddleback Church to launch new 'signature' ministry to help persecuted Christians around the world

Rick Warren makes commitment at the end of Civil Forum on the Persecuted Church

LAKE FOREST, CA -- Rick Warren, senior pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., one of America's largest congregations and author of the huge-selling book, "The Purpose Driven Life," has pledged to throw his support behind persecuted Christians around the world.

Warren made the surprise announcement Sunday, Nov. 8, when hosting the "Saddleback Civil Forum on the Persecuted Church," the fifth in a series of civil forums.

Michael Cromartie, vice-president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, Dr. Carl Moeller, president and chief executive officer Open Doors USA and Pastor Dishan Wickramaratne, from Sri Lanka, came together to discuss the struggle for religious freedom and the persecution that afflicts millions across the globe.

Warren interviewed each of the guests individually and then held a round-table discussion with the group. He turned to the congregation and told them Saddleback would start a new "signature" ministry to help persecuted Christians. Saddleback already has three other "signature" ministries -- Celebrate Recovery, helping orphans and also ministering to those with HIV/AIDS.

Dr. Carl Moeller, Michael Cromartie, Pastor Dishan Wickramaratne and Pastor Rick Warren discuss the current rise of religious persecution worldwide (Photo: Len Robinson)

Warren began the event by telling his audience the shocking truth that tens of thousands of Christians were killed for their faith last year. At the conclusion of the forum, he announced, "Tonight we will begin a new 'signature' ministry for the persecuted church, so we can keep this on the front burner.

"We want this to become an ongoing thing here at the church, because the Bible tells us that we should pray for those in chains, we should pray for the persecuted and pray for those in prison," he said. "We are to remember those who are suffering.

"There are four things you can do," he told his church members. "You can pray, speak up, give and you can serve."

Warren asked members of his congregation to commit to pray specifically for a country where the "persecuted church exists."

Then all the church members at the event formed small groups to pray for persecuted Christians.