Francis Chan
Francis Chan – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes
Discover the life and legacy of Francis Chan: an American-born clergyman, author, and preacher. Explore his early life, ministry, key achievements, enduring influence, and most powerful quotes.
Introduction
Francis Chan (born August 31, 1967) is a prominent American Christian teacher, preacher, and author whose bold voice has challenged many believers to abandon complacency and live radical lives of surrender. Known for books like Crazy Love, Forgotten God, and Letters to the Church, Chan’s ministry has had global reach, influencing church leaders, lay Christians, and seekers alike. He is respected for his humility, authenticity, and willingness to take risks for the sake of following Christ more closely.
In a religious landscape often weighed down by institutional momentum, Chan stands out as someone calling Christians back to the heart of discipleship. His life story, from personal hardship to ministry pivot, offers lessons on trust, sacrifice, and spiritual courage.
Early Life and Family
Francis Chan was born in San Francisco, California, to immigrant parents of Chinese descent: his father, Pak-sum Chan, and his mother, Wan-bing Mui.
His father later remarried several times. One stepmother died in an automobile accident; later, his father passed from cancer when Francis was about twelve. These successive losses shaped his early years and his understanding of suffering, faith, and dependence on God.
Raised in a Christian household, Chan was exposed early to gospel teaching and church life. Yet, his youth also involved struggles, identity challenges, and reconciling a messy family history. Over time, his faith matured, and by high school and college he was active in Christian youth groups, which helped solidify his call to ministry.
Youth and Education
Chan pursued formal Christian education to prepare for ministry. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from The Master’s College in Santa Clarita, California. Master of Divinity (M.Div.) at The Master’s Seminary, which is co-located with Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California.
Early in his ministry journey, Chan accepted a youth pastor’s role at The Church at Rocky Peak in Chatsworth, California.
These high and low seasons contributed to a deep humility and shaped his later approaches to leadership and discipleship.
Career and Achievements
Founding Cornerstone Community Church
In 1994, along with his wife Lisa and a small group, Francis Chan founded Cornerstone Community Church in Simi Valley, California.
While pastoring Cornerstone, Chan embraced financial generosity: giving away a large portion of his ministry income, not drawing a pastoral salary, and distributing book royalties to charitable causes. At one point, the church committed to giving away 55% of its income to missions and nonprofits.
Around 2007–2008, Chan began to feel that his own prominence was overshadowing the mission of the church. He sensed a call to smaller, less institutional forms of ministry.
Eternity Bible College
In 2004, Chan founded Eternity Bible College as a ministry arm of Cornerstone.
House Church / “We Are Church” Movement
After leaving his formal pastoral role, Chan relocated to Northern California and launched a network of house churches known as We Are Church.
In 2020, Chan and his family attempted to relocate to Hong Kong to live among the underserved in Sham Shui Po, the neighborhood where his mother once ministered.
Writing, Speaking & Influence
Francis Chan is also a prolific author. His best-known works include:
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Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God
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Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit
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Letters to the Church
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You and Me Forever: Marriage in the Light of Eternity (coauthored with Lisa Chan)
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Erasing Hell
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Multiply
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Until Unity
His voice is sought after at conferences, churches, and media platforms around the world. He also sits on boards of Christian and social justice organizations (e.g. Children’s Hunger Fund, Gospel for Asia, Care for Children) and is known for combining evangelistic fervor with concern for justice and holistic ministry.
Historical Milestones & Context
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1994: Launch of Cornerstone Community Church in Simi Valley.
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2004: Founding of Eternity Bible College.
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2007–2008: Increasing shift toward radical giving; Church approves giving over half of its income away.
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2010: Chan steps down as Cornerstone’s teaching pastor.
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2011 onward: Growth of the house church network (We Are Church) and continued authorship and ministry.
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2020: Move to Hong Kong and intent to serve in underserved urban contexts.
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2021: Return to U.S. after visa challenges in Hong Kong.
These moves reflect Chan’s trajectory from conventional church leadership toward more decentralized, incarnational, and radical expressions of faith.
Legacy and Influence
Francis Chan’s legacy is multifaceted:
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Discipleship over Institutionalism
Chan has long warned against the danger of church structures becoming ends rather than means. His shift toward house churches underscores his conviction that small, relational communities can often foster more authentic discipleship than large institutional frameworks. -
Radical Generosity
He has consistently modeled giving away large portions of income and resources, urging Christians to place the needs of the poor and mission above comfort. -
Spiritual Integrity & Realism
Chan is admired for acknowledging his own failures, doubts, and weaknesses. His transparency gives credibility to his calls for authenticity and holiness. -
Global Reach
Through books, podcasts, speaking tours, and social media, Chan’s influence goes well beyond the U.S. He is especially respected in cross-cultural and missionary contexts. -
Bridging Evangelism and Justice
His involvement in social ministries shows that he sees the gospel as more than preaching—he believes it must touch heart, mind, and action.
While some critique his methods or shifts, many regard Chan as a prophetic voice urging Christianity to reexamine itself—for deeper faith, not more institutional success.
Personality and Talents
Francis Chan’s personality often comes across as earnest, intense, and deeply relational. Several traits stand out:
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Authenticity & Humility: He doesn’t attempt to hide failures or mask struggles.
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Boldness: He is willing to say hard things, challenge norms, and risk reputation.
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Pastoral Heart: Though institutional leadership is part of his past, Chan’s core remains rooted in shepherding and discipling others.
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Teaching Gift: He combines clarity, emotional poignancy, and theological depth in his messages.
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Risk-taker: From quitting a pastoral role to relocating to challenging environments, Chan often leans into uncertainty when he senses God’s call.
He seems drawn not to comfort but to the edges—where faith is tested, dependence is deep, and the gospel has to be lived, not just preached.
Famous Quotes of Francis Chan
Below is a curated selection of some of his most resonant and oft-quoted statements. These reflect his convictions about faith, love, purpose, and discipleship:
“Our greatest fear should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don’t really matter.”
“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.”
“We never grow closer to God when we just live life. It takes deliberate pursuit and attentiveness.”
“The irony is that while God doesn’t need us but still wants us, we desperately need God but don’t really want Him most of the time.”
“Life is about Jesus. We are not here to tell our story, but His.”
“When I am consumed by my problems — stressed out about my life, my family, and my job — I actually convey the belief that I think the circumstances are more important than God’s command to always rejoice.”
“I don’t want my life to be explainable without the Holy Spirit. I want people to look at my life and know I couldn’t be doing this by my own power.”
“Has your relationship with God changed