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Kay Warren:
Kay Warren is using her far-reaching influence as a voice for the weak and vulnerable. In 2002, Warren became, in her words, “seriously disturbed” by the suffering of the millions infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS. Through the PEACE Plan, she is now challenging the worldwide Church to take on not just HIV/AIDS, but the global giants of spiritual darkness, lack of servant leaders, poverty, disease and ignorance. Warren frequently travels around the globe to encourage HIV positive men, women and vulnerable children, and is a powerful advocate on their behalf. In 2004, she began the HIV/AIDS Initiative at Saddleback Church in Southern California and now serves as executive director. From 2005 to 2007, Warren was instrumental in developing and presenting the Global Summit on AIDS and the Church, held at Saddleback Church in conjunction with World AIDS Day. In 2006, she launched the HIV/AIDS Caring Community, located at www.purposedriven.org, which offered online resources and inspiration for churches involved in HIV/AIDS ministry. That same year, Warren was among eight women honored at the CNN Inspire Summit, which recognized women for their impact on global issues through political, social and humanitarian efforts that have inspired others to get involved. In 2008, she was awarded the Distinguished Service Award from Loma Linda University’s School of Public Health. An accomplished writer, Warren’s doctrinal study, co-authored with Tom Holladay, won a Gold Medallion Award in 2004. Her latest book, “Say Yes to God,” was published in September 2010 and is an updated and expanded version of her 2007 release, “Dangerous Surrender.” She has contributed to The AWAKE Project – Uniting Against the African AIDS Crisis. Additionally, she has been a columnist for Christianity Today and wrote a column for the Purpose Driven Connection magazine. Warren has written for CNN.com and the Washington Post. She has been featured in POZ, Reader’s Digest, Guideposts, Today’s Christian Woman, Missions Mosaic, Sojourner’s, Seed, Worship, Worship Leader, Encouraging Women, Good and OC Metro. As a two-time cancer survivor, Warren knows first-hand how a life-threatening diagnosis can alter one’s daily life. Her own bouts with suffering have motivated her to serve others who are sick. She has come face-to-face with the hurting as a volunteer in her own community, at Mother Teresa’s Home for the Dying in Kolkata, India; at the leper colony and AIDS hospice in Manila, Philippines; and with World Vision and International Justice Mission in Thailand and Cambodia. In Africa, she’s ministered to individuals living with HIV/AIDS through several organizations, as well as through Saddleback Church’s partnership with churches and government leaders in Rwanda. She has become a student of t/he global HIVAIDS pandemic and attended the XV International AIDS Conference in Bangkok, Thailand; the XVI International AIDS Conference in Toronto, Canada; and the XVII International AIDS Conference in Mexico City, Mexico. As a speaker, Warren has been a voice for suffering individuals. In addition to being featured at various Purpose Driven church growth conferences, she has addressed many government, church, academic and professional groups, including the Government Women Leaders of Rwanda, the Management Association of the Philippines and the Learning Community of Willow Creek Church. On World AIDS Day 2008, she and her husband Rick co-hosted the Saddleback Civil Forum on Global Health, honoring President and Mrs. George W. Bush. Recognized for her passion and influence, Warren has spoken to The Global Coalition on Women and AIDS (UNAIDS), and at the Ecumenical Pre-Conference of both the XVI International AIDS Conference in Toronto and the XVII International AIDS Conference in Mexico City. In 1980, Warren and her husband began Saddleback Church in the living room of their condominium. Now one of the largest churches in America, Saddleback Church has given Warren a platform for influencing Christians and other leaders worldwide. Raised in the rich heritage of a Christian home, Warren attended California Baptist College and earned her B.A. from California State University, Los Angeles, Calif. She is mother to Amy, Josh and Matthew and grandmother to Kaylie, Cassidy, Caleb, Cole and Claire. She and her husband reside in Southern California.
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