Francis Chan, a renowned author and former pastor, has been a compelling voice calling for a passionate and radical faith in Jesus. Born in San Francisco in 1967, Francis experienced profound loss early in life, losing his mother at birth and later his stepmother and father during his childhood. These tragedies, rather than turning him away from God, deepened his faith and reliance on Jesus. Francis's journey into ministry began with his founding of Cornerstone Community Church in Simi Valley, California, in 1994. The church grew rapidly, but Francis started to feel a growing dissatisfaction. As he shared, 'God doesn't call us to be comfortable. He calls us to trust Him so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if He doesn't come through.' This conviction led to a significant turning point after a missionary from Papua New Guinea challenged his self-centered theology. A trip to Uganda further opened his eyes to the needs of orphans and the call to love his neighbor as himself.
Francis began making radical changes, giving away around 50% of his income and donating significant book royalties to charity. In 2010, feeling called to a new path, he resigned from Cornerstone to create a network of house churches. 'He wants all or nothing,' Francis often emphasizes, underscoring his belief in a devoted following of Christ. His journey took him to San Francisco and later to Hong Kong, where he embraced missionary work in some of the poorest areas. Witnessing miraculous healings in Myanmar challenged his previous skepticism about the supernatural. As Francis reflected, 'Every person I touched was healed.'
Through his life and ministry, Francis Chan has continually pointed to Jesus as the source of transformation and purpose. His story is a testament to living a life wholly surrendered to God, marked by sacrificial love and an unwavering commitment to follow wherever Jesus leads.
