In this episode, Francis Chan shares small choices and habits that have made a big difference for him, keeping his heart passionate and near to Christ, even in very difficult times.
In this episode, we'll explore:
- Small choices that help shift our thoughts away from self and complaint, rooting them instead in habits of thought that strengthen and sustain.
- The significance of soaking ourselves in Scripture, including memorizing.
- How time alone with God makes us more like Him
- Holding together our need for both community and solitude
Key Quotes
“I’ve got to start my day alone – away from everyone else – just me and God.”
“The more you’re with someone, the more you become like them…so when you’re in the presence of God and your focusing on who He is…we become more like Him.”
“Once you embrace suffering for the glory of Christ, that’s what makes you unstoppable.”
Resources and Guests
As Chan describes it, after five years of church as usual at Cornerstone where he pastored, a missionary from Papua New Guinea challenged his self-centered theology. Just a few years later, Chan took a trip to Uganda that further altered his thinking and living. “It was there that I fell in love with orphans,” he describes.
Chan started Eternity Bible College in 2004 as a ministry of Cornerstone Community Church with 100 students. In 2008, Eternity launched an abroad program in Ecuador. As of 2009, the college graduated 47 graduates serving in various parts of the world. In 2005, Francis was the featured speaker in a now international video called Stop and Think (JustStopandThink.com) which went viral, landing in every state and 30+ countries.
He has inspired many people with his ‘crazy love’ message. His passion and clarity in sharing the gospel have inspired many to seek the Kingdom of God wholeheartedly, with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.
Jedd has seen (and experienced!) that lives are turned upside-down when Christians begin to reflect God’s heart through adoption, foster care and service to orphans worldwide. This kind of love transforms not only vulnerable children, but also those who open hearts and homes to them. Churches begin to look different, too, as the entire community pulls together for children who’ve known great hurt. Finally, the change touches even onlookers, who encounter the Gospel not only in words, but made visible before their eyes.
Desiring to spur this kind of transformation through the Church, Jedd serves as President of the Christian Alliance for Orphans.
Through CAFO, more than 225 respected organizations unite in shared initiatives, along with a wide network of churches. CAFO’s membership works in tandem to inspire and equip families, churches and organizations for effective service to vulnerable children and families — from adoption and US foster care, to aid and empowerment programs worldwide.
Prior to his this role, Jedd served in the White House as a Special Assistant to President George W. Bush, leading the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. In this post, he oversaw reform efforts across the government to make community- and faith-based groups central partners in all Federal efforts to aid the needy, from prisoner reentry to global AIDS. As described by the Harvard Political Review, these reforms “fundamentally changed the government’s strategy for improving the lives of the downtrodden…”
Previously, Jedd held a range of posts in the California State Legislature. He also helped establish the California Community Renewal Project, which strengthens nonprofits in some of the state’s most challenged communities. He has worked, studied and served in more than thirty countries, with organizations ranging from Price-Waterhouse in Moscow to Christian Life Bangladesh.
Books written by Jedd include Upended and Four Souls. He also writes articles and op-eds for publications ranging from the Wall Street Journal and Washington Post to Comment Magazine, and engages radio interviews with both faith-based and mainstream outlets, from NPR and Al Jazeera to Moody Radio. Jedd’s most recent book, Becoming Home, offers a brief-yet-rich exploration of how families and communities can embrace vulnerable children with wisdom and love through adoption, foster care, mentoring and more.
