Pastor Rick Warren, considered one of the most influential Evangelical Christians in the United States as leader of the Saddleback Church, has announced his successor when he retires in September.
Pastor Andy Wood and his wife, Stacie, left their San Jose church to lead the mega-church's more than 40,000 congregants worldwide following the retirement of Saddleback founder Rich Warren.
Saddleback Church members are comforting those who are grieving following a mass shooting at a bar near the church's main campus that left four people dead, including the suspected gunman.
The Southern Baptist Convention has upheld the removal of Saddleback Church from the denomination due to the California megachurch allowing a woman to serve in the office of teaching pastor.