Crazy Love Podcast

Staff Talks with Francis: The Real Fear of Missing Out

“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.

Expect the Mysterious | Francis Chan

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.

Being Biblically Courageous | Francis Chan

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.

Tremble at His Word | Francis Chan

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.

From Silence to Strength | Francis Chan

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.

The Most Dangerous Kind of Christian | Francis Chan

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.

Marriage on Mission (Pt. 2) | Francis & Lisa Chan

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.

Marriage on Mission (Pt. 1) | Francis & Lisa Chan

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.

Faith that Endures | Francis Chan & Joni Eareckson Tada

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.

To Live Is Christ, To Die Is Gain - A Final Conversation

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.”