A Letter from Francis
Posted in UncategorizedDear Friends,
For those who have not heard, this past Sunday I announced to Cornerstone Church that I will be transitioning out of my ministry in Simi Valley. It was a rough Sunday as there were many different emotions floating around the room. In short, Lisa and I believe God is calling us to take a step of faith. We believe we are supposed to move into a major city such as LA, San Francisco, or New York. Every time I fly into a large city, I am struck by the sheer numbers and feel pulled to try ministering in that environment. I encourage you to listen to the podcast from this past weekend to hear more details. If for no other reason, my wife spoke some very powerful words that every believer needs to hear.
It has been an amazing 16 years as pastor of Cornerstone Church. When we started gathering, I doubt that any of us dared to dream that God would use this church to have such an impact on Simi Valley and the rest of the world. I think most of us were just hoping it would survive. God had bigger plans than we did. The Lord has truly shown us His grace, that we could be used as His instruments to bring glory to the name of Jesus.
The plan is that I would teach at Cornerstone through the end of May. During this time, I will be sharing the lessons most important to me. I have taught thousands of times over these years, and now I hope to re-emphasize what I see as most important. I will also be at our prayer meetings to beg our God to do even greater things in Simi after I leave. For those who have questions or just want to talk, you can catch me at the prayer meetings.
I’ll continue to write and give you more information as the Lord continues to guide the elders and me. Like I said at our services, I’m still not completely sure of everything, but it feels great to be living by faith.
Once again, here is my family’s rough plan for our future
April/May = speaking at Cornerstone
June/July = speaking around the U.S.
August/Sept = Praying and walking large cities to seek God’s leading.
Oct-Dec = Serving in a third world country
Jan 2011 = launch a new ministry as an extension of Cornerstone
Thanks to everyone who was a part of this amazing journey in Simi. Thanks for all the love and encouragement my family and I have received over the years.
Francis
But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24
June 10th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
Francis,
Thanks so much for allowing God to work through you all these years. I can’t wait to see what God will use you for next!
June 22nd, 2010 at 10:32 am
I feel honored to have had the opportunity to hear you preach on-line for several years! I will be praying God continues to use you in HUGE ways! God bless you and your family!
June 28th, 2010 at 12:56 pm
Though I am disappointed to be without your voice as I listen to the podcasts from Minnesota, I know that God is calling you to something much greater than the comfort of a suburban church. I know that your family will be blessed even when circumstances are difficult. I pray for you continually as a brother in Christ. As I move on to seminary, I will remember your last few sermons with great seriousness, knowing that Jesus is what we live and die for in life as well as ministry. Thank you for setting an example of God’s love and holiness for me. I will keep tabs on your new ministry from Minnesota.
Be blessed as you walk in God’s will.
Joy
June 30th, 2010 at 7:17 am
You will be missed! I used to come before I had to move to Las Vegas, and you will certainly be missed. But you are right, you have a calling to move on. God Bless You.
July 3rd, 2010 at 3:32 pm
Francis,
I recently read an article about your family in the Focus on the Family magazine. Your story is very similar to that of my family. There have been many periods of time where we opened our home to those were in need. Bless you. More Christians need to be pulled out of the comfort zone that is their selves, and put on the front lines for God’s kingdom. This is where they truely experience the Lord. This means that we invest in others even if it is not comfortable. May the Lord continue to direct your path and reveal more about His personality.
August 9th, 2010 at 7:38 pm
Just wanted to say that I have been listening to the sermons on the web site and Gods word does not go out without achieving its purpose. May His word never cease from your lips, may He give you a clarity of purpose and guide you and your family as well as the church in simi.
August 19th, 2010 at 8:25 pm
I can’t find anywhere to write to Francis. But I finished reading Crazy love and just wanted to say thanks. I also wanted to see what was going on in his church now, since his book has been out for 2 years… and it seems he’s still got that same ’sane love’ for Jesus that the world calls crazy.
Sounds like Francis is hoping to travel a lot. I hope he is able to plant more or shake up some of the churches. Kind of like an American Paul- not afraid to call it like he sees it and hopefully welcomed open armed by believers who practice biblical hospitality- entertaining strangers.
I hope he’s not making too many plans but saying if it’s God’s will we will do this or that. and I hope the church doesn’t get too down and sad and continues to grow and prosper because we’re called to follow Christ not Francis.
September 6th, 2010 at 2:45 am
I have just stumbled onto the decision of Francis while I am at my lap top here in Afghanistan. I am struck by some of his comments I just also read in his interivew in Christianity Today. I have been here in the Middle East since early 2004 as I am a former pastor and just really rather be characterized as a follow of Jesus. This is what I am gleaning first of all from Francis. I also believe that in his desire to seek the Lord, he will be refshed and he will injoy the simplicity of Jesus away from ministry. Because the worled is our ministry and that means where ever God has set your boundaries. It seems that as Abraham felt the tug and call of God in his heart to go our from his land, the same is for us when we sense this unrest in our souls while continuing the work of the ministry at “home”. I would enjoy sharing emails with Frnacis as I do not want to be critical of the western church, but when you live around the Biblical model of Jesus day still here in the Middle East, the idea of flock, Shepherd, enemy, friend take on historical meaning. We as a community of believers in the west live a different life style than that which is lived here. Simplicity is the “norm” here and with the lack of so many resourses which we enjoy back home, it is far more simple to live and follow Jesus here than with all of the commercialism found today in our church communities. I even had to down load the latest Flash sofeware to view the church web page. Not an indictment, just the simple truth. Please express my admiration for Francis for his desire to start over again. It is very a liberating option…
September 7th, 2010 at 9:02 pm
I was curious to find out if Francis Chan would be travelling to India and if he was, I really would like to meet him and his family while they are here. I didn’t really know where else to reach him at so I thought that this would be a good place to start.
October 3rd, 2010 at 9:00 am
Virginia,
Keep updated with Francis through his website… http://francischan.org/
Jeff