During pandemic, Francis Chan posts video urging us to keep the love

Francis Chan has encouraged Christians that the coronavirus is the perfect opportunity to reach out to those around us facing unprecedented stress.

Chan, presently in Hong Kong, posted a video to Youtube to addresses his team of elders, his church in San Francisco, and the Church around the world.

He has reminded believers everywhere that now is not the time to lose our love, joy, or peace.

Chan used his video to encourage Christians right around the world to hold to Jesus’s greatest commandment, “Go, therefore and make disciples…”

“During this time, it’s so easy for us to lose what we are suppose to be all about which is to be people who are loving and concerned that hundreds of people every day are dying and many are headed to an eternity apart from Christ,” he said.

“My prayer for you guys is don’t lose your love. During this time really think, ‘God I love You and what do You want me to do out of love for You?’ Look at the others around you in love and how you can serve these people,” he said. “This is one of the greatest opportunities as a church where people are open to talking about serious things…life and death things.

“We are people that are suppose to be fearless, but what do I have to fear? I don’t have to fear death and this is the way that Christ wants me to live. I know Him and I don’t fear death,” he noted. “He’s going to take care of me while I’m on this earth and when it’s my time to go…it’s my time to go.”

Chan announced last year that he was quitting America to be based in Hong Kong, putting him closer to the Asian world that he now feels the call to witness to.

“I feel like I’ve been fishing in the same pond my whole life and now there’s like thousands of other fishermen at the same pond, and our lines are getting tangled and everyone’s fighting over stupid things,” he said last year. “One guy tries some new lure and we go, ‘Oh, he caught a fish, let’s all try his method’. And it just feels like, ‘what are we all doing here’?

“About two months ago, I was walking through a slum in Southeast Asia. I went from hut to hut with a translator, sharing the gospel with people who had never heard about Jesus. The more I shared the gospel, the more alive I felt. It’s a completely different experience sharing with those who have never heard versus sharing with those who have already chosen to reject Jesus over and over. The more I shared my testimony coupled with the gospel message with these unreached people, the more I thought about how I wanted to do this with the remainder of my life. When I considered the need and opportunity, I knew I wanted to be based in Asia.

“I also have an opportunity there to work with the ultra poor (living off less than 50 cents a day)—to bring relief, share the gospel, and plant churches among them. When I compare that opportunity to things I currently do in the States, the Kingdom profit seems much greater overseas at this point of my life. While I think I will occasionally minister in the US, I plan on being based in Asia for this next season of life.”