Francis Chan Fun Facts: 10 Things You Might Not Know About the Evangelical Leader

Francis Chan is a renowned preacher, writer and philanthropist who began his career in Simi Valley, California. Chan and his wife founded the Cornerstone Community Church in 1994 with a handful of followers and grew it to a congregation of thousands.

Chan expanded his circle of influence with writing, media appearances, and by founding Eternity Bible College and performing ministry work in some of the underprivileged parts of the world, including the inner city sections of San Francisco.

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Here are a number of interesting facts about Chan:

1. Born in Hong Kong in 1976, Chan's mother died in the act of childbirth. His Buddhist grandmother raised him until his father brought him to America when he was 5 years old.

2. Chan became a member of a family with 5 children when his father remarried, only to lose his stepmother in a car crash when he was just 9 years old. His father died of cancer when Chan was 12, filling his early live with loss and fear.

3. Chan was active in Christian youth groups throughout his youth, which gave him personal and spiritual grounding, and inspired him to pursue the ministry.

4. Rev. Francis Chan graduated from Master's College in California, with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Divinity.

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5. In 2009, Reverend Chan became the first minister of Chinese descent to appear on the "Hour of Power," broadcasted from the Crystal Cathedral in California. He spoke about "Living in the Light of Eternity."

6. Reverend Chan served as a youth minister upon his graduation from seminary school. He performed this role for six years.

7. He founded the Cornerstone Community Church in Simi Valley, California, in 1994.

8. He founded Eternity Bible College in 2004, and served as Chancellor.

9. Reverend Chan authored three best-selling books: "Crazy Love," "Forgotten God," and "Erasing Hell."

10. According to the website, his video, "Stop and Think," has been viewed in every U.S. state and in about 30 foreign countries.

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