Rick Warren and Saddleback Church Pulling for Sabrina Sloan on 'American Idol'

Sabrina Sloan has an added flare to her fan base as a finalist on American Idol, which includes one of the most well-known pastors and churches in America.

Sloan grew up singing at Saddleback Church in southern California. Her mother, Mary Scherff, has been a longtime staff member at the church.

Sloan's pastor, Rick Warren, is the author of the best selling book, "The Purpose Driven Life." He has known her most of her life and even officiated her wedding to Chip Sloan.

"Of course, I'm about to pop with pride over Sabrina, who has been like another daughter since she was tiny," said Warren.

Warren also had plenty to say about her mother. He described Mary Scherff as "an indispensable long-term staff member at Saddleback for years. She ran all kinds of ministries and orchestrated Saddleback's huge 25^th anniversary celebration in Angel Stadium in 2005."

Sloan graduated from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., in 2001 with degrees in theater and communications studies.

On the American Idol web site she says her greatest challenge in life came just one week after 9/11 when she moved to New York City and lived in a cockroach-infested closet apartment to pursue a singing career.

Listing her personal goals, Sloan said: "To provide for my family, to be able to support those in need around me and around the world, and to make music I am proud of."

Last night during "dedication week" on the show, she dedicated her song to her grandmother. "She has been in and out of the hospital and it's just so hard to think of her not being around, as much as I don't get to see her," Sloan said. "Her presence in my life is very important."

Warren and his congregation aren't the only ones to sing the praises of Sloan. The judges had plenty to say, as well.

Randy Jackson started off the feedback with, "You've got a big old voice, man!" Paula Abdul beamed as she cheered, "You are fantastic. You are a big contender in this competition."

Simon Cowell did not like her performance as well as last week, and gave a warning that she may be crossing the line from a powerful voice into a shouting voice. However, his last words to the singer were, "You'll be back next week."

Regardless of what the judges think, Saddleback and Warren are huge fans. Recently Warren even joked with his congregation, "Don't even think of coming back to Saddleback next weekend unless you've voted for Sabrina 100 times this week!"

"She's incredible and we want her to win," Saddleback pastor Rick Warren said.

Source used for this article:

http://www.baptistpress.com/bpnews.asp?ID=25065

http://www.americanidol.com/contestants/season6/sabrina_sloan/