Crazy Love Podcast

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 beauty of silence with Him, our strength is renewed, our vision becomes clear, and our identity is found as His beloved son or daughter.

“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 constant stream of information that leaves us feeling like we can’t afford to miss anything. But what if the real danger isn’t missing what’s happening in the world… but missing what God wants to say to us? In this episode, Francis Chan shares what the Lord impressed on him during a long trip home from Brazil, wrestling with distraction, the fear of missing out, and the deeper invitation into silence and presence. This conversation is both practical and convicting - challenging us to set boundaries with our screen time, embrace uninterrupted time with Jesus, and live with greater intentionality. As we learn to be still, look people in the eyes, and pursue God’s presence, we begin to experience deeper connection, clearer purpose, and a love that truly reflects His heart.

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 teaching, Francis shares the importance of stirring up our anticipation of God's presence when we gather, showing up ready to give and minister to each other by His grace, and regularly remembering what Jesus did by breaking bread together. As we keep growing in our walk with God, may we actively come closer to Him, tremble at His Word, love our brothers and sisters with spiritual gifts, expect to receive grace in Communion, and live in the blessing of His goodness and mercy.

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 refocus on what will matter for eternity. This message will encourage and equip you with practical ways to show up for your brothers and sisters in Christ, pursue real unity, and navigate disagreements with humility and peace. If you long for a faith that feels more like family and a church that reflects the heart of God, this message will stir you to draw closer to Jesus and to the people He’s placed around you.

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 transformation from the inside out. When the Holy Spirit fills a life, something real begins to change. Desires shift. Conviction deepens. Freedom becomes tangible. And what starts as a spark can become a fire that lasts for decades.

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 pausing, waiting on Him, and listening. He also addresses the subtle distractions shaping this generation - the fear of missing out, the pressure to stay informed, and the addiction to constant movement. If you’ve felt anxious, overwhelmed, or spiritually dry, consider this an invitation to return to what you were made for.

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: What does real faith look like? Can someone believe they’re secure and still be wrong? And how should knowing eternity is real reshape the way we live today? This sermon is a heartfelt appeal to move beyond comfort, familiarity, and cultural Christianity and respond to Jesus’ invitation to truly know Him.

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 theme: seek first the Kingdom, invite your children into the mission, and trust the Holy Spirit to do what you can’t. If today’s conversation challenges you and you want to go deeper, visit youandmeforever.org. There you can order the book “You and Me Forever,” watch chapter videos, explore bonus content, and learn more about the mission behind it all.

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 say “yes” to God even when it was costly. They confront the cultural obsession with comfort and ask whether the Church has replaced God’s Kingdom with the pursuit of a “happy Christian family.” This episode is a hope-filled call to seek first the Kingdom of God and trust Him with everything else. If today’s conversation challenges you and you want to go deeper, visit youandmeforever.org. There you can order the book “You and Me Forever,” watch chapter videos, explore bonus content, and learn more about the mission behind it all.

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 reflects on the beauty of community that grows organically around weakness, the joy of serving “the least of these,” and the hope of heaven that shapes how we live now. If you’ve been discouraged, tired, or tempted to give up, this episode will strengthen your faith and remind you that Jesus is near and worth holding onto. And we encourage you to dive deeper into a revelation of the love of God with Francis’ latest book, “Beloved.” It’s available now wherever books are sold.

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 the peace that Scripture describes as “beyond understanding.” We invite you to listen slowly, prayerfully, and with reverence. “He will never leave you nor forsake you.”

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 enjoy God again. If you’ve ever felt distracted, discontent, or spiritually numb, this message is an invitation to return to a simpler, deeper intimacy with Jesus and to rediscover the freedom that comes from being dead to the things of the world and alive in Christ.

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. This message reframes prayer, worship, and even repentance, not as efforts to earn God’s attention, but as responses to His mercy, grace, and relentless love. As we celebrate Christmas, we’re reminded that God is near, He is knocking, and He longs to pour His love into our hearts.

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 importance of approaching life from a deep awareness of God's loving presence, the peace that comes when we let go of comparison, and the joy of walking out the uniquely designed purpose He set aside for you. We pray you come away from this message with a greater confidence that your God is with you, for you, and more than able to carry you through whatever you’re walking through.

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 find new joy in seeing their younger brothers and sisters flourishing, leading and loving like Jesus. He encourages each of us to begin to look for the younger ones in our lives that we can pour into, to create an abundance of light that will continue shining long after Jesus calls us home. May each of us do the same, taking our personal walk with Him seriously so that we can make true disciples with our lives, not just our sermons.