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This Week in Christian History: Billy Graham's First Sermon, Saddleback Church Founding, Black Church Leader Dies

By Michael Gryboski, Editor

Saddleback Church holds first worship service — March 30, 1980

Pastor Rick Warren delivers an Easter sermon at Saddleback Church.
Pastor Rick Warren delivers an Easter sermon at Saddleback Church. | (Photo: Saddleback Church/Screengrab)

This week marks the anniversary of when Saddleback Church, the influential megachurch headed by pastor and best-selling author Rick Warren, held its first worship service.

Starting out as a small group that met in the Warren family's apartment living room, the church held its first worship service on Palm Sunday in 1980.

The service was held at the Laguna Hills High School Theater and had approximately 40 attendees, according to a 2015 article by Baptist News Global. The following week, Easter Sunday, attendance was around 240.

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