Crazy Love Podcast

Many of us spend our lives asking God to bless what we're doing, when the greater invitation is to discover what He's already doing and join Him there.

In this Staff Talk, Francis shares why following Jesus is about more than serving faithfully. It's about learning to recognize when His Spirit is leading the way. As he reflects on recent ministry experiences, we're reminded that God is still at work in powerful ways, inviting His people to walk by faith rather than relying on their own strength.

If you've ever wrestled with discerning God's direction...

In a culture that constantly demands something bigger, louder, and more entertaining, it's easy to lose sight of what truly transforms us.

In this message, Francis Chan challenges the modern Church to examine what has captured our attention and affection. He reminds us that God's Word was never meant to compete with personalities, production, or emotion. The deeper issue isn't that Scripture has become less powerful - it's that our hearts have become less captivated by the God who speaks.

When we recover a higher view of God's holiness, His presence becomes enough, His Word...

Many of us know what it's like to feel deeply convicted by God's Word, only to find that conviction fading as life moves on. Instead of responding with obedience, we can become stuck in a cycle of overthinking, waiting for perfect clarity, or convincing ourselves that another day will be a better time to act.

In this message, Francis Chan challenges us to rediscover the kind of faith that marked the early believers. As he walks through Hebrews 10 and 11, we're reminded that God delights in people who trust Him enough to take the next step, even when...

God desires to hear our prayers, but Scripture also warns that there are things that can stand in the way.

In this message, Francis challenges us to examine our view of God's holiness and the condition of our own hearts. As he walks through Scripture, we're reminded that prayer isn't just about asking God for what we need or want. It's about coming before Him with repentance, humility, and wholehearted devotion.

God's invitation has always been the same: turn back to Him. When we respond to His conviction with repentance, we're restored to the joy...

Do you truly believe that Jesus is with you?

In this message, Francis Chan challenges us to examine whether we're living from the reality of Christ's presence or relying on our own strength. As he reflects on Jesus' promise to always be with us, Francis reminds us that our ministry to others was never meant to be fueled by eloquence, talent, or self-confidence, but by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Join us as Francis explores what it means to truly know the power of Christ's resurrection, walk in freedom from fear, and live with...

Life has a way of pulling our attention in a thousand different directions. Personal struggles, cultural tensions, financial pressures, and uncertainty about the future can leave us feeling anxious and overwhelmed.

In this message, Francis Chan encourages us to step back and remember the bigger story. Walking through Scripture from Genesis to Revelation, he highlights God's faithfulness, His patience toward humanity, and His promise to make all things new.

As we see our lives in light of eternity and God's unchanging character, fear begins to lose its grip, and we find rest in the One...

Have you ever been so satisfied in God's presence that everything else - every worry, distraction, and challenge - begins to lose its grip?

Whatever is weighing on you today, there is an invitation to come and be with Him. In His presence, we find the peace, joy, and strength we've been searching for all along.

In this episode, Francis explores the invitation to find our deepest satisfaction in God alone. When we learn to enjoy His presence and trust His love, we're freed from constantly searching for something more. Instead, we can live the...

It's easy to believe that peace is waiting on the other side of better circumstances.

A breakthrough. A solution. A different season.

But the deepest peace comes from something else entirely. In this Staff Talk, Francis shares what God has been reminding him about contentment, suffering, mission, and the presence of God. He explores what it looks like to be so anchored in God that circumstances no longer have the final say.

The result isn't a trouble-free life. It's something better - a peace that holds steady and the confidence to follow Jesus...

As information becomes more accessible than ever, many of us feel the pressure to have answers for everything. But what happens when the constant stream of opinions, arguments, and competing voices leaves us feeling more overwhelmed than confident?

In this Staff Talk, Francis reflects on the challenge of pursuing truth in a noisy world and the peace that comes from returning to what matters most. As he shares honestly about his own struggles with information overload, he offers a reminder that our greatest need isn't to know everything; it's to walk closely with God.

Francis...

Where do you find the right people to walk with through different seasons of life and ministry? How do you stay grounded in what matters when technology keeps changing the way we relate to each other? And what does faithfulness actually look like over the long haul?

In this Staff Talk, Francis reflects on the kind of life that lasts - one marked by love, humility, and a steady dependence on God. Drawing from John 13 and 15, he shares why the people God places around us matter more than we realize, and how an eternal perspective changes the...

Has the church lost the fear of God?

In this episode of Staff Talks, Francis reflects on a growing burden he feels for the modern church - a drift away from honor, biblical conviction, and the simple authority of Scripture. From teaching in prison to worshiping openly on Stanford’s campus, Francis contrasts the fear of man with the fear of God and wrestles with what happens when culture, influence, and endless opinions begin shaping our understanding of truth.

As more voices reinterpret long-held Christian beliefs, this conversation explores a few of the tensions many be...

Obedience can feel complicated, but Jesus made it simple.

In this episode, Francis Chan unpacks John 15 and shows how obedience and love are inseparable. When Jesus calls us to keep His commands, He ultimately points us to one: love one another as I have loved you.

This kind of love goes far beyond words or weekly gatherings. It’s sacrificial, generous, and rooted in a deep trust that God’s commands lead to life and joy.

Looking at the example of the early church in Acts, this teaching challenges us to move beyond cultura...

Ever found yourself starting to pray “smaller” prayers?

Maybe you've walked through disappointment, things didn't turn out the way you expected, or what once felt powerful now seems like a distant memory.

Over time, it’s easy to become more “reasonable” in what we believe God can do. But what if that shift isn’t maturity… but drift?

In this honest and searching message, Francis Chan looks at the warning of the ten spies in the book of Numbers and challenges the ways we’ve begun to normalize things like complaining, cynicism, and unbelief - often...

What if God loves you more than anyone you’ve ever loved?

Think about someone you deeply care about, someone you would do anything for. Now imagine this: God loves you even more than that. He knows everything about you and still chose to give His Son for you.

But if that’s true… why do so many of us still feel powerless?

In Ephesians 1, Scripture says there is an immeasurable greatness of power at work in those who believe - the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. And yet, many of us do...

Do you know God as a loving dad? One who always wants to see you, always wants to hear from you, and always wants to be with you?

If you answered no, you’re not alone. For a myriad of reasons, many of us struggle to relate to Him as father, but He’s still waiting for you with open arms. His love for us is secure, unmoving and forever, light years better than even the best dad we can imagine.

In this message, Francis shares the unique blessing God has for each one of us a...

What are we actually coming for when we gather?

For many of us, church has become something we can predict - good music, a thoughtful message, a meaningful moment or two. And while none of that is bad, it’s possible to walk away satisfied… without ever encountering the presence of God.

In this message, Francis Chan challenges us to rethink what we expect when we come together. He reminds us that we were never meant to be consumers of information, but stewards of the mysteries of God.

There are realities in our faith...

Why are so many of us burning out so quickly?

What if the answer to our exhaustion wasn’t in more energy drinks, but in learning to embrace the quiet and waiting on the strength of God?

In this episode, Francis shares a handful of stories from around the world to illustrate how spending time alone with God truly refreshes our hearts, brings peace to our souls, and empowers us with His Spirit to become all we were created to be.

As we learn to be still in His presence and embrace the be...

“Staff Talks with Francis” is a new series where we share real moments from our Crazy Love staff meetings - honest conversations about following Jesus, caring for the church, and discerning God’s voice in the middle of everyday ministry.

Are you constantly checking your phone… without even thinking about it?

Scrolling. Notifications. Endless updates.

In a world full of distractions, many of us are quietly losing our focus - and even our ability to be fully present. Along with it comes a subtle pressure to keep up with everything: news, controversies, messages, and the c...

Do we actually expect “mystery” from God when we come to a church gathering? More often than not, we show up as a ritual, looking for little more than a motivational speech, maybe a new Greek word or two, and a moving worship set... and think that's what makes a great Sunday.

But what if church was meant to do more than just inform or impress us? What if God's design for our experiences together as the body of Christ is to be more than just a collection of good speakers and songs?

In this teach...

What matters most to God when it comes to His Church? Is it how many people we can gather in a room? How compelling the preaching is? How precisely we can unpack a verse in Greek or Hebrew?

What if it’s none of those things?

In this teaching, Francis Chan paints a picture of the kind of community God actually desires - one marked by deep unity, sacrificial love, and shared mission. Drawing from the early church and the call to love one another, he challenges us to reconsider what we’ve prioritized and to r...

What if experiencing God’s closeness wasn’t rare, but constant? What if freedom from sin didn’t come from trying harder, but from being so satisfied in Christ that sin simply lost its appeal?

In this message from Pepperdine University, Francis Chan calls us beyond hype and emotional moments to a faith that truly abides - a life rooted in Jesus, shaped by His Word, and empowered by His Spirit. This is about a relationship that doesn’t fade when the gathering ends, but grows deeper over time.

This isn’t behavior modification. It’s transforma...

How much would you give to hear the audible voice of God? What would you be willing to set aside for a few hours? What lengths would you go to if you knew you could have a face-to-face conversation with Him?

This access to God is available right here and right now.

All you have to do is… stop.

In this teaching, Francis reminds us of the heart of our Heavenly Father - to be with us, to forgive us, to bless us more than we can imagine - and the beauty of pa...

When the world feels unstable and the future seems uncertain, how should followers of Jesus respond?

In this powerful message, Francis Chan reflects on how quickly life can change and why Scripture calls believers not to fear, but to live with eternal confidence. Walking through Jesus’ warnings about the narrow road, lukewarm faith, and self-deception, Francis challenges listeners to honestly examine whether their faith is rooted in relationship or routine.

This episode wrestles with hard questions:

In Part 2 of this conversation, Francis and Lisa Chan respond to live questions about living “on mission” as a family without losing your soul, your kids, or your joy.

They tackle what happens when a husband and wife feel pulled in different directions, how to think biblically about leadership and authority, and why so many “marriage problems” are really worship and contentment problems. You’ll also hear raw, honest reflections on parenting, and what it looks like to pray, wait, and trust God with your children’s hearts.

Throughout, Francis and Lisa keep returning to a simple the...

What if marriage was never meant to just be about your happiness?

In Part 1 of this candid and challenging teaching, Francis and Lisa Chan invite listeners to rethink marriage, family, and discipleship through the lens of eternity. Drawing from decades of shared ministry, they show that unity, joy, and intimacy in marriage are often the byproducts of pursuing God’s mission together... not the primary goal.

Francis and Lisa share vulnerable stories from their own lives: downsizing their home, giving sacrificially, moving in faith, fostering teens, raising children with an eternal perspective, and learning to sa...

Today, Francis Chan sits down with Joni Eareckson Tada for a deeply personal conversation about perseverance, joy, and enduring faith in a life marked by suffering. Joni shares how nearly 60 years in a wheelchair, seasons of pain, illness, and discouragement have become the place where Jesus meets her most intimately, strengthening her to “fight for joy” day after day.

Together, they talk about what helps believers endure to the end: partnering with the Holy Spirit, building a “repository” of Scripture to combat lies, and learning to see hardship as an invitation to know Christ more deeply (Philippians 3:8–10). Joni also...

This is a sacred and deeply personal conversation between Francis and his close friend, Alan, shared with permission from the family.

In this phone call, a pastor nearing the end of his earthly life reflects on suffering, peace, intimacy with God, and the hope found in Jesus Christ. What unfolds is not a polished sermon, but an honest, unscripted testimony of faith, spoken in weakness, clarity, and deep trust in God.

Our hope is that these words would encourage those who are suffering, those walking with loved ones through pain, and anyone longing to understand...

In today’s episode, Francis Chan reflects on a life-altering trip to India that exposed the quiet compromises of his own heart and reminded him of the beauty of radical devotion to Christ.

From imprisoned pastors and selfless servants in leper colonies to a personal moment of repentance, Francis walks listeners through what Scripture says about covetousness, contentment, and true joy in God. He challenges the subtle ways we normalize desire for more while neglecting the command to “set our minds on things above.”

This episode isn’t about trying harder. It’s about clearing space to enjo...

In this Christmas teaching, Francis Chan invites us to slow down and truly adore Jesus. To not just believe in Him, but respond to the God who first came after us.

Reflecting on the meaning of ”Emmanuel, God with us,” Francis explains how God has always been the initiator: creating humanity, pursuing us after the fall, dwelling among His people, sending His Son, and ultimately placing His Spirit within us. From the garden to the manger to the indwelling Holy Spirit, the story of Christmas is the story of a God who wants to be with us.

T...

Do you ever find yourself rushing through everything--a meal, time with a loved one, or even a moment you were looking forward to? Or maybe obsessing over a specific goal, or weighed down by the all-too-common thought, "Why can't I be more like them? I must not be doing enough." What if it didn't have to be that way? What if you could break the cycle and find actual joy again?

What if the point of life wasn't a scoreboard--even a ministry scoreboard--but being still and just knowing He is God?

Francis Chan shares the...

In today’s message, Francis Chan shares the profoundly deep impact that discipleship has had on his walk with God, his ability to lead, and his growth in Christlikeness. You'll hear about the practical ways God equipped him for life through the examples of his youth leaders and godly mentors--those who sacrificed their comfort to be able to pour into him, and how he was forever changed for the better as a result.

He also unpacks God's model for how discipleship is meant to work for the equipping and sharpening of younger generations and helping older generations fi...

Today, Francis Chan and Gavin Ortlund continue their conversation and share practical, everyday ways to connect with God’s holiness, His deep love for us, and the call to live in the constant awareness of what Jesus’ death and resurrection means for us in the here and now.

Drawing from passages like 1 Thessalonians 5 and Ephesians 3, Francis reminds us that God calls us to both warn the wandering and tenderly encourage the fainthearted with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, knowing that even when we make mistakes, He will teach and grow us through them.

Gavin spea...

Francis Chan sits down with theologian and apologist Gavin Ortlund (truthunites.org) for a vulnerable, wide-ranging conversation about communion, church unity, and what it means to love other Christians in a fractured age. Francis shares his own journey wrestling with the Eucharist, reading the church fathers, engaging Roman Catholic and Orthodox perspectives, and discovering the “real presence” within a Protestant framework. Gavin explains why he remains gratefully Protestant and how he understands the richness of the Lord’s Supper and church history.

Together, they talk honestly about the harsh tone of much online “discernment” content, the temptation to chase c...

In this powerful teaching, Francis Chan shares his experience visiting a village church in rural China - one of the most beautiful pictures of the Body of Christ he has ever witnessed. What he encountered wasn’t consumer Christianity or personality-driven gatherings, but a community of believers who had truly given themselves away.

Francis contrasts this with the Western tendency to attend church like consumers, evaluating leaders, seeking comfort, and avoiding sacrifice. Through Philippians 2 and 2 Corinthians 8, he calls us back to the simplicity and costliness of following Jesus: dying to ourselves, becoming servants, and letting the grace of...

Francis Chan invites us to linger at the foot of the cross and fix our eyes on Jesus. Drawing from the story of Gethsemane and 2 Peter 1, Francis reminds us that we’ve been given “everything we need for life and godliness,” called to become partakers of the divine nature, and urged to “make every effort” toward virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. He calls us to worship without distraction, to pursue holiness with grit, and to live for what is unseen and eternal (2 Corinthians 4).

Scripture references: Matthew 26:36–46; Isaiah 53:10; 2 Peter 1:1–9; Ezekiel 36–37; 2 Corinthians 4:17–18.

This message was origin...

In today’s message, Francis Chan paints a picture of what the Church was always meant to be - a family where every member brings their gifts, their stories, and their brokenness into the light. He shares how honesty, humility, and repentance create space for God’s Spirit to move and bring real revival. Drawing from 2 Corinthians 1 and the book of Job, Francis reminds us that God’s comfort in suffering is never wasted; it’s meant to be shared with others.

If you’ve ever wrestled with shame, questioned God’s fairness, or struggled to make sense of suf...

In this powerful message from a worship night at Pepperdine University, Francis Chan challenges us to long for more than just emotional moments or great worship experiences, but to hunger for the presence of God Himself.

Drawing from Exodus 33, Francis unpacks Moses’ bold statement to God: “If Your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.” He reminds us that Moses wasn’t satisfied with blessings, success, or even an angel leading the way. He wanted God Himself.

Through Scripture and stories from his own journey, Francis describes what happens when the H...

In this message, Francis Chan invites us to slow down, pray, and truly believe that God Himself is with us, right here, right now. Teaching from Ephesians 1, Francis explores Paul’s prayer that “the eyes of your heart may be enlightened,” revealing how deeply God loves His people and how much He longs for us to live in the fullness of His power and grace.

Francis shares his own journey from insecurity and striving into a confident rest in God’s love. He reminds us that we are God’s glorious inheritance—His beloved bride—and that His immeasurable...

In this powerful conversation originally recorded for Lecrae’s podcast, The Deep End, Francis Chan joins Lecrae for an honest and deeply personal dialogue about insecurity, identity, and the love of God that casts out fear.

Together they explore the fear of man that grips so many leaders today, the dangers of living for approval, and how the revelation of God’s love transforms everything. Francis opens up about his own journey from striving and performance to living securely as God’s beloved - the same message that inspired his new book, Beloved.

“If our chief aim is...

Two classmates. Thirty years of ministry. And one question that wouldn’t go away: Am I truly loved by God?

Today, Francis Chan sits down with long-time friend, Pastor Ken Murphy to talk about the drift from joy into performance and the moment a revelation of God’s grace finally broke through. This is a conversation about moving from “working to be loved” to living from a love that never changes. It’s the heartbeat of Francis’ new book, Beloved, an invitation to trade insecurity for assurance and worshipful joy.

Beloved, is available for purchase now wherever bo...