Arts & Entertainment

Saddleback's Warren Interviews Downey, Burnett in Advance of 'The Bible'

Roma Downey and Mark Burnett, co-executive producers of the History Channel miniseries 'The Bible,' will answer questions during weekend services at Saddleback Church.

Rick Warren will flat out tell you he talks to God all the time, but this weekend he will have a public conversation with the force behind "The Bible."

Warren, the pastor of Saddleback Church, will play talk-show host to producers Mark Burnett and Roma Downey, the married supercouple who are responsible for creating the 10-part mini-series that begins on the History Channel on Sunday.

The television program, which spans Genesis to Revelation over the course of five weekends in two-hour blocks beginning at 8 p.m., is to "set the record straight," Downey told ABC News.

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Downey, famous for her role in "Touched By An Angel," will also portray Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, in the mini-series.

Burnett has far more experience creating reality television content, including "Survivor," "The Apprentice," "The Voice" and "Shark Tank." But "The Bible" is something different.

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"The Bible is the foundation of this nation," Burnett said, predicting that because of this series, "millions (worldwide) will open the Bible, or reopen the Bible. ... Maybe a billion. ... I think a billion is a low number."

Burnett says this project has "brought fresh visual life into the greatest story ever told," which is why it will appear to many—including teenagers.

According to Saddleback's website, Warren will conduct a Q&A with Downey and Burnett during his sermons this weekend on how God tests your faith.

Service times are Saturday, 4:30 and 6:30 p.m., and Sunday, 9 a.m., 11:15 a.m., and 6 p.m.

Services are also streamed on the website at saddleback.com.


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