'American Idol's' Manny Torres a Faithful Light in Beleagured Flint, Mich.

FLINT, Mich. -- When you walk the streets in Michigan you can almost hear the echo of music legends past. Artists like Madonna, Bill Haley and who can forget the legends at Hitsville, USA?

There's a new voice coming out of Michigan and it belongs to Manny Torres. He snagged the final ticket on the final season of "American Idol."

Some call it fate. But the Flint native calls it faith.  

"It's just so cool to see where God has taken me from the start to now," Torres told CBN News.

After wooing the judges with his acoustic rendition of Maroon Five's "This Love," Torres excelled using his infectious energy and dynamic smile to become a fan favorite.

When CBN News spoke with him he was visiting his childhood church, El Shaddai Assembly of God, in Flint. He recalled memories of growing up as a preacher's kid. 

"I remember doing donuts in the parking lot. My dad's like,'They haven't even plowed yet. What are you doing?' I would be like, that's when you got to do it!" Torres reflected with a smile. 

Torres said that it was here that his love of music began. 

"I came here and I would sing every Sunday. They knew I loved to sing and that I was good at it and things like that. Looking back this is truly, truly where I developed myself and my talent," Torres recalled. 

Pastor Abe Garcia said even as a kid there was something different about Torres. 

"As a young kid he had an amazing talent and he loved God. So it's been a joy to see that and to see him now on a worldwide stage showing his God-given talent and honoring God. It's awesome to see that," Garcia said.

Torres said the "Idol" platform opened the door for him to spread a little hope in a town that he says could use it. 

"In light of all that's happening it's good to bring positivity and good vibes and good energy," he said. "A lot of times people get caught up in the negativity or in the politics and this is going on or that is going on."

"At the end of the day, it's hard to pinpoint why things happen but the key is focusing on the positive," he continued. "Enjoy the fellowship and what God has brought through this and what God is doing through this."

So what's on the horizon for Torres? An album, maybe even a tour. No matter where the road takes him Torres said his faith will always be a part of the journey. 

"The Hollywood scene can be a little crazy. It's a heck of a world out there. What I like to remind some people is that there are mission fields for everyone," Torres explained.

For now, you can find him where it all began, in the pulpit leading worship and thankful for his shot on "American Idol."

"Regardless of how far I made it or how far I didn't make it. I was given a platform to share my gift with millions of people worldwide," Torres said.

"I've had tweets and Facebook and Instagram coming from all over the world, which is huge. Now my network and mission field has opened up like crazy," he said. 

It's a mission field he said he'll use to bring that same positive message to the people of Flint and the world.