A Life Marked by Loss
Born on August 31, 1967, in San Francisco, Francis Chan's early life was marked by profound loss. By the sixth grade, he had lost his mother, stepmother, and father, with tragedy further compounded by his uncle's violent act. Raised for a time by his Buddhist grandmother in Hong Kong, Chan's life took a transformative turn as he embraced Christianity in his teenage years.
Building a Megachurch
He pursued a BA in youth ministry and a Master's of Divinity, eventually founding Cornerstone Community Church in 1994 with his wife, Lisa. The church in Simi Valley grew rapidly from 30 to 6,000 members, but Chan felt a deep discomfort with its success.
Called to Something Different
Despite Cornerstone's growth, Chan sensed God calling him to a different path. He shared, 'One of the problems at our church is when I hear the words Francis Chan more than I hear the name of Jesus.' This conviction led him to step down and pursue simpler forms of ministry.
