Early Loss and Faith Formation
Francis Chan's life is a testament to Jesus' transformative power, as he has experienced profound loss, divine intervention, and a call to radical discipleship. Born in San Francisco on August 31, 1967, Francis faced the tragic loss of his mother during childbirth, and later his stepmother and father during his childhood. These early hardships taught Francis to rely deeply on God.
In his youth, Francis embraced faith and was active in Christian youth groups, but he admits that his understanding of Christianity was initially about battling desires to please God. His early ministry as a youth pastor eventually led him to a pivotal moment when he felt God calling him to start Cornerstone Church in 1994. Married to Lisa, Francis wanted a church that was real and deeply committed to living out the teachings of the Bible. Under his leadership, Cornerstone grew rapidly, but a missionary from Papua New Guinea challenged the church's inward focus.
Radical Faith Through Loss
In 1999, a trip to Uganda with his wife further transformed Francis's approach to ministry. He realized the need for radical giving and eventually led Cornerstone to allocate 50% of its budget to other ministries and nonprofits. In 2010, feeling that his celebrity status was overshadowing the church's mission, Francis made the bold decision to resign, seeking a fresh direction in ministry. He stated, "I was hearing Francis Chan at Cornerstone more than the Holy Spirit."
Francis then embraced a new model of church planting, focusing on small house churches through the "We Are Church" network. His journey took him to San Francisco and eventually back to Hong Kong in 2020, where he worked in Sham Shui Po, the poorest area, ministering much like his mother had.
Divine Healing Testimony Myanmar
One of the most profound experiences in Francis's journey was a miraculous event in Myanmar. As he ministered in a remote village, he prayed for the sick, witnessing Jesus heal every person he touched, including deaf children. His words capture the awe of the moment: "Every person I touched was healed... I have never experienced this in 52 years."
Living Passionate Faith
Francis's life and ministry continue to challenge many to live a faith that is not lukewarm but passionately committed to Jesus. As he often says, "The point of your life is to point to Him. Whatever you are doing, God wants to be glorified, because this whole thing is His."
