A church has confirmed that one of their pastoral staff died last week by suicide. 

Lead Pastor Rusty George of Real Life Church (RLC) in Valencia, California, said that Jim Howard was a "beloved pastor" who had a "deep love for Jesus and a passion for sharing the grace of God with anyone he met."

Howard died on January 23.

"Sadly, Jim suffered in private with mental health challenges — some of which he bravely discussed in public — and was wrestling with some personal issues in recent months. This week he made the tragic decision to end his pain. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, the RLC family and all those who were blessed to know him," George said in an online post.

The church has arranged for counselors to meet with staff and congregants. The church also met on January 27 to discuss Howard's death "and the broader crisis of suicide in America" during their worship gatherings.

In August 2018, the Christian world was shocked by the death by suicide of young megachurch pastor Andrew Stoecklein of Inland Hills Church in Chino, California.