Francis Chan
Francis Chan was born (Aug 31, 1967) in San Francisco to immigrants Pak-sum Chan [陳柏森], a former minister at the Leighton Road Baptist Church in Hong Kong, and Wan-bing Mui [梅韻冰], a “Bible woman of the Hong Kong Baptist Church, Caine Road.” He was their third child; his mother died during his childbirth, of “excessive bleeding”, leaving his father with sister Grace, brother Paul, and newborn Francis, who was named for the city of his birth and of the tragedy. He is the former teaching pastor of Cornerstone Community Church in Simi Valley, CA, a church he and his wife started in 1994. He is also the Founder and Chancellor of Eternity Bible College and author of the best-selling book, Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God, which came out in 2009. He released his second book Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit in August 2009. His other works include Erasing Hell in 2011, Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples in 2012, and the Basic Series by Francis Chan, a DVD series started in 2010. He also sits on the board of directors of Children’s Hunger Fund and World Impact.
Feb 20, 2023: Baptist News Global: Questions to ask while pondering if Asbury is hosting a ‘true revival’
One week before the big revival surprise of Feb. 8, a coalition that backs the Collegiate Day of Prayer released a promotional video Feb. 1.
The video starts with a narrator saying, “Fifty years ago, something extraordinary happened on one college campus.”
Then a witness from the time adds: “I thought I had seen everything. But today, I saw something that I have never seen before.”
A news anchor then comments: “It started at 10:00 yesterday morning. It didn’t end at 11:00 yesterday morning. It didn’t end at 11:00 last night. In fact, as Jim and I took the air, it was still going on.”
Then others add: “It all started when one student gave his testimony. That was followed by another. And the testimonies have been going ever since. … And as it spread, people began coming in from all around.”
Sound familiar?
Then Francis Chan, an evangelical preaching megastar, comes onto the video saying: “God, would you show your mercy on him, on her just the way you did with me? Because this is their only hope. We need him to change their hearts so that they can change the direction of our nation. We’re asking you, please, join us, join us for this day of prayer, join us in praying for these young people, believe that God can usher in something new through the power of our prayers.”
One week before the big revival surprise of Feb. 8, a coalition that backs the Collegiate Day of Prayer released a promotional video Feb. 1.
The video starts with a narrator saying, “Fifty years ago, something extraordinary happened on one college campus.”
Then a witness from the time adds: “I thought I had seen everything. But today, I saw something that I have never seen before.”
A news anchor then comments: “It started at 10:00 yesterday morning. It didn’t end at 11:00 yesterday morning. It didn’t end at 11:00 last night. In fact, as Jim and I took the air, it was still going on.”
Then others add: “It all started when one student gave his testimony. That was followed by another. And the testimonies have been going ever since. … And as it spread, people began coming in from all around.”
Sound familiar?
Then Francis Chan, an evangelical preaching megastar, comes onto the video saying: “God, would you show your mercy on him, on her just the way you did with me? Because this is their only hope. We need him to change their hearts so that they can change the direction of our nation. We’re asking you, please, join us, join us for this day of prayer, join us in praying for these young people, believe that God can usher in something new through the power of our prayers.”
Frances Chan
The Bible says in James 4:5, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us.” Do you believe that you have a heavenly Father who “yearns jealously” for you? He created Adam and Eve to walk with Him in the garden, and He created us to not only walk with Him but in Him. He yearns jealously for this. --Francis Chan; Relevant Magazine: Francis Chan on Why God Longs for Church Unity 12.16.22
Frances Chan
We worship a God who desires unity with His children and between His children. He sent His Son to bring His children together under His care. No good father wants to see separation between his children. As a father of seven, it would crush me to see any of my children rejected and separated from the others. It would anger me to see any of my children being divisive. In God’s list of things He hates (Prov 6:16–19), He places greatest emphasis on “one who sows discord among brothers.”
He calls it an “abomination”! That should stop you dead in your tracks. You should be examining your own life right now to see if you are guilty of something that Almighty God hates so much.
--Francis Chan; Relevant Magazine: Francis Chan on Why God Longs for Church Unity 12.16.22
He calls it an “abomination”! That should stop you dead in your tracks. You should be examining your own life right now to see if you are guilty of something that Almighty God hates so much.
--Francis Chan; Relevant Magazine: Francis Chan on Why God Longs for Church Unity 12.16.22
Frances Chan
I am guilty of having sowed discord. Even now, as I study all these passages about division, I am embarrassed by my lack of remorse. Only a redemptive God with grace beyond comprehension could be this patient with me and still use me to teach about unity. I have spent most of my Christian life wishing that certain pockets of Christians did not exist. I even had the audacity to pray for the deaths of certain people because I thought their removal would benefit His Kingdom on earth. I was not just a run-of-the-mill arrogant person. That’s next-level stuff! Think about the pride it requires to come before an omniscient God to share that kind of idea. I was too quick to label people as false teachers, warning believers to keep their distance from them. While there is a time to warn others about false teachers, there is also a time to do your homework. By being too quick to judge, I have made costly mistakes. I jumped on bandwagons that were popular in my theological circle, attacking men and women whom I now know to be God’s beloved children. Proverbs paints this as more than a “mistake.” All of that was an “abomination” to Him.
--Francis Chan; Relevant Magazine: Francis Chan on Why God Longs for Church Unity 12.16.22
--Francis Chan; Relevant Magazine: Francis Chan on Why God Longs for Church Unity 12.16.22
Dec 4, 2021: Deseret News: Celebrating the relentless love of God: A conversation with the Rev. Francis Chan
From difficult childhood to beloved pastor, the Rev. Francis Chan translates Christian insights for a broad audience outside the confines of faith boundaries.
May 24, 2021: Christian Post: Pentecost Sunday kicks off 33-day challenge to pray for Gospel-destitute areas of the word
Pastors David Platt and Francis Chan have joined a collective of more than 50 Christian ministries in launching a 33-day prayer challenge on Sunday, the Day of Pentecost, to raise awareness for the one-third of the world’s population that is still without access to the Bible, the church and other believers.
From difficult childhood to beloved pastor, the Rev. Francis Chan translates Christian insights for a broad audience outside the confines of faith boundaries.
May 24, 2021: Christian Post: Pentecost Sunday kicks off 33-day challenge to pray for Gospel-destitute areas of the word
Pastors David Platt and Francis Chan have joined a collective of more than 50 Christian ministries in launching a 33-day prayer challenge on Sunday, the Day of Pentecost, to raise awareness for the one-third of the world’s population that is still without access to the Bible, the church and other believers.
May 22. 2020: Christian Post: Francis Chan says he didn't believe in healing, miracles until recently
Bestselling author Francis Chan said he was previously cynical of healing ministries until God illuminated the Scriptures to him.
Bestselling author Francis Chan said he was previously cynical of healing ministries until God illuminated the Scriptures to him.
Feb 12, 2020: Pulpit & Pen: Francis Chan Now Claims to Be a Faith Healer
Discerning Christians have been warning about Francis Chan’s descent into heresy for quite some time. Chan recently claimed that ecumenical unity is more important than Biblical truth, adopted the Romanist view of transubstantiation, posed for partnership selfies with Benny Hinn, and is headlining events with New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) heretics. And now Chan claims to be a faith healer.
Discerning Christians have been warning about Francis Chan’s descent into heresy for quite some time. Chan recently claimed that ecumenical unity is more important than Biblical truth, adopted the Romanist view of transubstantiation, posed for partnership selfies with Benny Hinn, and is headlining events with New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) heretics. And now Chan claims to be a faith healer.
Jan 20, 2019: Premier Christianity: Francis Chan: Why I quit my megachurch and started again
In his new book Letters to the Church (David C Cook), Chan is bold, brash and brilliant. He explains how he often asks church leaders what their congregants expect on a Sunday. Typical replies include: “A really good service, strong agespecific ministries, a certain style/ volume/length of singing, a well communicated sermon…parking… coffee.” He then asks the same leaders to list biblical commands about church. This time, the responses are: “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12), “Look after widows and orphans in their distress” (James 1:27) and “Make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). “What would upset your people more?” Chan asks. “If you didn’t provide the things from the first list, or if you didn’t obey the biblical commandments on the second list?”
In his new book Letters to the Church (David C Cook), Chan is bold, brash and brilliant. He explains how he often asks church leaders what their congregants expect on a Sunday. Typical replies include: “A really good service, strong agespecific ministries, a certain style/ volume/length of singing, a well communicated sermon…parking… coffee.” He then asks the same leaders to list biblical commands about church. This time, the responses are: “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12), “Look after widows and orphans in their distress” (James 1:27) and “Make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). “What would upset your people more?” Chan asks. “If you didn’t provide the things from the first list, or if you didn’t obey the biblical commandments on the second list?”
Nov 1, 2018: Travis Nicholson: I visited Francis Chan’s house church network. Here’s what I learned.
Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to visit San Francisco and check out the house church network (We Are Church) led by Francis Chan. I was incredibly encouraged by the visit and left the trip feeling hopeful for the future of the church.
Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to visit San Francisco and check out the house church network (We Are Church) led by Francis Chan. I was incredibly encouraged by the visit and left the trip feeling hopeful for the future of the church.
Sept 20, 2018: Christianity Today: Francis Chan: Stop Treating the Book of Acts Like Hyperbole
Eight years ago, Francis Chan resigned as senior pastor of Cornerstone Community Church in Simi Valley, California—the church he helped grow from 30 people gathered in a living room to a multimillion-dollar ministry. He wasn’t burned out. There was no disqualifying moral failure. He’d simply grown convicted over his challenges in steering a large ministry in accordance with biblical values.
Eight years ago, Francis Chan resigned as senior pastor of Cornerstone Community Church in Simi Valley, California—the church he helped grow from 30 people gathered in a living room to a multimillion-dollar ministry. He wasn’t burned out. There was no disqualifying moral failure. He’d simply grown convicted over his challenges in steering a large ministry in accordance with biblical values.
Oct 10, 2017: Juicy Ecumenism: Why Francis Chan Left the Megachurch
During the height of Chan’s megachurch ministry, he drew a crowd of 5,000 to Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, California. Then he left the megachurch and totally restructured his pastoral and discipleship model. But why?
Chan shared his reasoning during a talk at Facebook’s headquarters back on June 22. So this story is a few months old. However, in June I was on maternity leave and missed this news coverage. Maybe you missed hearing this story too. And because the topic of church models is so relevant (and fascinating) to our Juicy Ecumenism readers—many of whom are church leaders—I thought it important to go ahead and cover it here.
During the height of Chan’s megachurch ministry, he drew a crowd of 5,000 to Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, California. Then he left the megachurch and totally restructured his pastoral and discipleship model. But why?
Chan shared his reasoning during a talk at Facebook’s headquarters back on June 22. So this story is a few months old. However, in June I was on maternity leave and missed this news coverage. Maybe you missed hearing this story too. And because the topic of church models is so relevant (and fascinating) to our Juicy Ecumenism readers—many of whom are church leaders—I thought it important to go ahead and cover it here.
Nov 24, 2015: Francis Chan: Desiring God: The Greatest Thing You Could Do Today
Oct 28, 2015: Church Leaders: Francis Chan and Chip Ingram Share Their Best Advice for Growing in Ministry Faithfulness
Francis Chan and Chip Ingram joined us for a powerful conversation we’re excited to bring to you.
Oct 27, 2015: Youtube: Francis Chan | Thrive
Oct 27, 2015: Youtube: Francis Chan | Francis Chan @ NHCC
Mar 30, 2015: Christian Today: Francis Chan: The importance of submission and authority
Popular Christian speaker and author Francis Chan addressed the importance of submission and authority in a sermon entitled 'Be Subject to One Another'.
Mar 1, 2015: Christian Post: (Interview) Francis and Lisa Chan: We're Not Perfect Christians; Every Day We Fight for an Ounce of Holiness
You and Me Forever: Marriage in Light of Eternity co-authors Francis Chan and his wife, Lisa, insist that they wrestle with fear and selfishness just like everyone else despite the public putting them on a pedestal after they left the stability, comfort and spotlight of leading a California megachurch in 2010 to surrender to God and let Him call them anywhere in the world and do anything He wants.
Feb 28, 2015: Christian Post: Francis Chan: Church Wastes Too Much Time Waiting on God's Voice; Christians Getting Too Fat on the Word
The Church wastes too much time waiting for a word from God, says New York Times bestselling author and popular pastor Francis Chan. Christians should instead be more active in translating the knowledge they have into action rather than languishing in fear and indecision.
Oct 28, 2015: Church Leaders: Francis Chan and Chip Ingram Share Their Best Advice for Growing in Ministry Faithfulness
Francis Chan and Chip Ingram joined us for a powerful conversation we’re excited to bring to you.
Oct 27, 2015: Youtube: Francis Chan | Thrive
Oct 27, 2015: Youtube: Francis Chan | Francis Chan @ NHCC
Mar 30, 2015: Christian Today: Francis Chan: The importance of submission and authority
Popular Christian speaker and author Francis Chan addressed the importance of submission and authority in a sermon entitled 'Be Subject to One Another'.
Mar 1, 2015: Christian Post: (Interview) Francis and Lisa Chan: We're Not Perfect Christians; Every Day We Fight for an Ounce of Holiness
You and Me Forever: Marriage in Light of Eternity co-authors Francis Chan and his wife, Lisa, insist that they wrestle with fear and selfishness just like everyone else despite the public putting them on a pedestal after they left the stability, comfort and spotlight of leading a California megachurch in 2010 to surrender to God and let Him call them anywhere in the world and do anything He wants.
Feb 28, 2015: Christian Post: Francis Chan: Church Wastes Too Much Time Waiting on God's Voice; Christians Getting Too Fat on the Word
The Church wastes too much time waiting for a word from God, says New York Times bestselling author and popular pastor Francis Chan. Christians should instead be more active in translating the knowledge they have into action rather than languishing in fear and indecision.
Jan 23, 2010: Thinking Out Loud: Francis Chan: If Jesus Had a Church Here, Mine Would Be Bigger
Last summer I came to a shocking realization that I had to share with my wife: If Jesus had a church in Simi Valley, mine would be bigger. People would leave His church to attend mine because I call for an easier commitment. I know better how to cater to people’s desires so they stick around. Jesus was never really good at that. He was the one who said, “He who loves father or mother … son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.” (Matt. 10:37 NIV) I’m much more popular than Jesus.
Wow! This isn’t Francis Chan on some Beatlesque “more popular than Jesus” trip. It’s an honest look at how we choose a church. If the people are too fanatical, we dismiss it as cultic and move on.
Last summer I came to a shocking realization that I had to share with my wife: If Jesus had a church in Simi Valley, mine would be bigger. People would leave His church to attend mine because I call for an easier commitment. I know better how to cater to people’s desires so they stick around. Jesus was never really good at that. He was the one who said, “He who loves father or mother … son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.” (Matt. 10:37 NIV) I’m much more popular than Jesus.
Wow! This isn’t Francis Chan on some Beatlesque “more popular than Jesus” trip. It’s an honest look at how we choose a church. If the people are too fanatical, we dismiss it as cultic and move on.