Saddleback's Warren asks for $900,000

LAKE FOREST, Calif., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Congregants of megachurch Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., say they expect Pastor Rick Warren's appeal for $900,000 by New Year's Eve will be met.

Warren appealed to his 22,000-member congregation for the funds to address the church's financial status in an "urgent letter" posted Wednesday on the church's Web site, The Orange County Register in Santa Ana., Calif., reported Thursday.

"I have thrilling news to share with you ... but first some seriously bad news: With 10 percent of our church family out of work due to the recession, our expenses in caring for our community in 2009 rose dramatically while our income stagnated," the open letter read. "Still, with wise management, we've stayed close to our budget all year. Then ... this last weekend the bottom dropped out."

"On the last weekend of 2009, our total offerings were less than half of what we normally receive -- leaving us $900,000 in the red for the year, unless you help make up the difference today and tomorrow."

Saddleback member Kim Offhaus said she wasn't surprised by the request.

"I know that many people are affected by job loss and that Saddleback church is not immune," she told the Register. "I'm confident we'll support the church. It's there to meet the needs of the people spiritually, physically and emotionally."

Church member Eric Bezko said Warren's request was timely, noting most churches rely on large, year-end donations.

"It's nice he's handled it like this," said Bezko, of Newport Beach. "It's like people can give a Christmas present to the church."