The Golden Gate Baptist Seminary at San Quentin received guest lecturer Francis Chan, 45, on May 17.
Chan’s story is that of a man who, in the Christian realm, “had it all.” As the pastor of a mega church and author of books on the New York Times Best Seller list, he enjoyed fame, fortune and status that was both commendable and respectable. Chan said he “gave it all up” to do what he sees as God’s true call and the purpose for his life.
A crowd of about 20 seminary students sat in the Garden Chapel Fellowship listening to Chan speak with great energy and satisfaction at the choices that ultimately brought him to the Bay Area two years ago.
“The world understood better what I’m doing than those in the church,” said Chan of his decision to sell everything and move with his wife and five children to slums in India where they ministered to the poor.
Their journey took them from India to China and then to Thailand. Chan’s work centered on service to rejected members of society and in helping those enslaved by human trafficking. He said it led him to understand that Christianity comes with a heavy price.
“You’ll only call yourself a Christian if you’re ready to give everything up,” Chan said. “How they live in China and India, that’s the Bible that I read about.”
Still, Chan felt a call to return to the U.S. and to minister in San Francisco’s Tenderloin. As he was searching out the reason for coming to this area, a man with tattoos on his face stopped and asked if he was Francis Chan.
“I did your video series in prison,” he told Chan.
Soon, the ex-con and his family were living with Chan and his family. From his initial ministry to this one individual, it grew to a restaurant out on Hunters Point, and the beginnings of a ministry to disciple people who are paroling and in difficult circumstances.
Chan is now involved in a growing dynamic of Home Churches. From a congregation of over 5,000, he now pastors a flock of 20. He intends that in about a year’s time, the congregation he is now leading will go off and start other Home Churches.
“I used to be Kobe, but now I’m Phil Jackson. I’m a coach, not the star,” Chan said, comparing his new role to that of his former ministry.
Chan remains connected to the churches in which his ministry once stood out. He sees himself living moment by moment here and now, and believes God is directing him to minister to parolees and the incarcerated.
