The scale on which the public has embraced the Christian book Crazy Love has surprised even its author. The book, which has been on The New York Times best-sellers list for an incredible 83 weeks, has topped the 2.2 million mark in sales.
Francis Chan, with his fresh and honest teaching style of the Scriptures, has ignited a hunger to “love your neighbor as yourself” in a day and age of “Ne, myself and I” Christianity. The book was published by David C. Cook.
“I am amazed by the book’s popularity,” Chan said. “But, if it doesn’t lead to concrete action in the readers’ lives, then it was just another book. I pray that it has caused us to truly fall more in love with the One who deserves our best.”
Chan not only talks about “crazy love;” he lives it. Chan and his family left the growing church he founded, Cornerstone Community Church, in order to serve in the low-income Tenderloin district of San Francisco. His goal is to show the love of Jesus to this neighborhood and meet real needs with the hope to plant a church in every apartment building in the district. The ministry offers meals, clothes, school supplies, and anything else that might be needed.
“I believe He wants us to love others so much that we go to extremes to help them,” Chan said.
An internationally sought-after speaker, Chan is traveling the world in 2012, continuing to encourage everyone to which he speaks to read, know and live the Bible. Earlier this year, Chan spoke to more than 44,000 university students from around the United States and more than 30 other countries at the Passion 2012 Conference in Atlanta.
“I am blown away at the impact that this book has had reaching so many people,” said Don Pape, vice president of David C. Cook’s trade publishing division. “Crazy Love embodies David C. Cook’s mission to make and teach disciples who obediently transform today’s generation. We hope it continues to reach new readers in the coming years changing lives forever.”
Crazy Love, Forgotten God and Erasing Hell are all international best-sellers that have appeared on The New York Times best-seller list. Crazy Love was named Family Christian Store’s Book of the Year in 2011.
Chan’s teachings are featured in the BASIC film series along with writing the children’s books Halfway Herbert, The Big Red Tractor, The Little Village and Ronnie Wilson’s Gift. Chan’s latest release, Multiply, will be available in stores Nov. 1.
