Background

Francis Chan was born on August 31, 1967 in San Francisco, CA. His parents came to the United States from China. His mother died while giving birth and his father remarried when Chan was 7 years old. However, his stepmother died in an accident after two years. His father got married again when Francis was 10 years old. Chan's father died when he was 12 years old and he was left with his stepmother. Chan was not able to get along well with his father while growing up but he said that the fear he had while growing up with his father was one of the reasons he got the fear of God. Francis Chan was always an active Christian during his high school and junior college years. This helped him increase his faith and get interested in the ministry.

Marriage with Lisa

Francis Chan is married to his wife, Lisa. He has only been married to one woman and he has never been divorced. He is an upright man and he has never been in scandals such as affairs or divorce.

Career

Francis Chan is the former teaching pastor in a church called Cornerstone which he formed with his wife in 1994. The church started with only 30 people. In two months, the church had reached 100 people and in 2000, the church had 1,600 congregations. Now the church is among the largest churches in Ventura County, California.

He has also founded the Eternity Bible College. He has written many books including the best seller called Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God which was written in 2009. Other books that he has written include “Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit” and “Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples”. He is also a board member for the Children’s Hunger Fund with World Impact. Chan teaches in major international and national events and conferences.

Before he started to work as a pastor exclusively, he worked with many companies including Broadway Men’s clothing, Ralphs Market, Kirby Company, Mic Pizza and Taco Bell. He had also worked in Acapulco restaurants and as a hardwood flooring contractor.

Francis Chan said that he felt he had to give more to God. He gave up to 90 percent of his salary away. He did not take any compensation for his work at church and he gave away all the book royalties which reached many different charities. Most of his donations go to an organization that saves people in sex slavery from foreign countries. Cornerstone Church also agreed to give 55 percent of the income to charitable causes.

Francis was a featured speaker in the video called Stop And Think. He uses many approaches when it comes to teaching. Chan always emphasizes what the bible says. His teachings are emphasized more on the Lord’s Supper and baptism. He resigned to teach to his congregation in 2010 in order to pursue what he said that God has put into his heart. He said that he was called to go to San Francisco where God wanted him to start a church.