Francis Chan (edit name/settings)

Chan and his wife founded Cornerstone in 1994 with only 30 people. Within two months, the church had grown to 100 people, and by 2000, Chan was leading a $1 million project to provide for the 1,600 member congregation. Cornerstone is now one of the largest churches in Ventura County, California. Chan regularly uses a variety of approaches to ensure his messages are engaging and relevant. Chan frequently talks about 'What the Bible is really saying' and really living our lives that way. He is not afraid of confronting lukewarmness, but his challenge seems to draw more people to his message, rather than pushing them away. On Sunday, April 18th 2010, Chan announced to his congregation that he felt called to resign at Cornerstone in Simi Valley to pursue what God had laid on his heart. He is not sure yet as to which city exactly God is calling him to.
Biography: Chan's mother died giving birth to him. Chan's father remarried and his step-mother died in a car accident when he was 9-years-old. His father remarried when he was 10. His father then died of cancer when Chan was 12-years-old. Francis Chan was then raised by his stepmother Josephine Chan along with his older sister Grace, older brother Paul and much younger sister, Gloria. He had family support from his father's younger sister and her husband, Marion and William Wong, along with a large extended family and church family. He did not get along well with his father growing up, but says that his fear of his father has helped him understand a level of fear of God. He also stated he didn’t understand the love of God well until he became a father himself. As a high-school and then junior-college student, Chan was active in Christian youth groups which helped develop his faith in Christ and his interest in ministry. Before becoming a senior pastor, Francis worked for a variety of employers including Taco Bell, Mic Pizza, Kirby Company, Ralphs Market, Broadway Mens Clothing, hardwood flooring contractors, and the Acapulco restaurant. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Master's College and a Master of Divinity degree from Master's Seminary. After a three-month leave from Cornerstone, Francis said he felt convicted to sacrifice more for God. "Chan gives away about 90 percent of his income ... Chan doesn't take a salary from his church, and he has donated all of his book royalties, which total about $500,000 to various charities. Much of it goes to organizations which rescue sex slaves in foreign countries." Furthermore, in 2008 it was reported that Cornerstone would give away 55% of its income to charitable causes.