Graduation Commencement Speaker Announced

This year’s seniors will receive a sendoff by author, speaker and pastor Francis Chan at Wheaton College’s 2013 Commencement ceremony in May.

Chan is the author of best-selling books “Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God,” “Forgotten God: Reversing our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit” and “Erasing Hell.” His most recent book, published in 2012, is titled “Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples.”

Chan has served in various ministry capacities in past years. He is the founding pastor of Cornerstone Church in California, where he served for 16 years as pastor before stepping down in 2010.

He also founded Eternity Bible College in 2004, a school to “train young people for their mission,” Chan said on the college’s website.

Chan is on the board of directors for World Impact and also Children’s Hunger Fund.

Currently residing in San Francisco, Chan is involved in a church-planting ministry in the inner city.

He is scheduled for speaking engagements across the U.S. in 2013.

“(It’s) a great delight that (Chan) is going to be coming to campus,” said senior Jared Falkanger, the Executive Vice President of Educational Policies, who was involved in the process of choosing Chan as speaker. “I’m sure he’ll do a good job of challenging our class as we leave our time at Wheaton.”

The Record was able to speak with Chan over email about his upcoming and first visit to Wheaton; he offered advice for the seniors and spoke about his ministry and speaking experiences.

Why did you agree to offer the Commencement address at Wheaton’s 2013 graduation?

I was asked by the president, and I thought it was a good opportunity to address an influential group before they headed out into the world.

Have you given a commencement speech before?

Yes, a few times.

What is the most unexpected thing that has happened to you while giving a speech?

I’ve had people scream things at me or want to debate me, and an occasional threat. Left my fly down once…

Which of the books you have authored is your favorite, and why?

“Forgotten God”— I had a completely different view of the Holy Spirit when I graduated college. As I studied and learned more about (God), it was life-changing. I most enjoyed writing this book.

Do you have any advice for Wheaton seniors as they finish out their last semester?

Focus on today. Don’t get so concerned or focused on the future that you fail to make the most of today. We end up with many regrets in life when we focus on the future and miss out on the present.

What ministries are you currently involved in or working with?

I’m working on a nationwide discipleship movement: multiplymovement.com. I’m working on developing a church-planting strategy that involves smaller gatherings: wearechurch.com.I’m discipling people who were incarcerated and now re-entering the world — helping them get jobs, places to live, and teaching them to make disciples.

What has been your most rewarding experience as a speaker, author and pastor?

When I see people make actual changes in their lives as a result of something I said or wrote.

What did you think you would be doing upon graduating from college?

I thought I was going to be a youth pastor for life.

What is your favorite undergraduate memory?

All of my best memories were with girls — my priorities were way off back then.

What do you see as the role of young adult Christians heading out from college into the next phase of their lives?