Author and Preacher Francis Chan Calls Students to Genuine Faith at the Well
“Who trembles at God’s word anymore?” Francis Chan, renowned author and preacher, asked the full crowd of Pepperdine congregants during a special convening of the Well on February 11, 2026.
Hosted by the Hub for Spiritual Life in Elkins Auditorium, Chan’s message emphasized that God values the reverent heart seeking to honor Him over any outward markings of success. Despite a popular culture emphasizing the performative, Chan urged his listeners to prioritize genuine faith.
Francis Chan speaking to Pepperdine congregants
Such faith produces spiritual transformation, Chan explained, where “the seed of God is in you and if His seed is in you, you just start becoming like Him.” Due to this, Chan observed that community, where the faith of others is visible and heartening, is where spiritual encouragement is continually sustained.
“The spiritual life here at Pepperdine equips me to walk in my identity and God-given purpose,” says Katie Raymond, a psychology major at Seaver College. “I’ve been thinking recently, ‘What’s my identity? What’s my purpose?’ When Francis Chan talks, you can see that he has a true heart for the Lord. He models how to walk in deep faith, which was a powerful example to witness as the Lord leads me during college.”
Chan then explained that the younger generation at Pepperdine is specially positioned to refocus Chrisitan culture on reverence for God’s laws and promises—and a recognition of His holiness. Through this approach Chan contends that one falls into deeper gratitude for God’s love and grace, in contrast to humanity’s imperfect nature.
Seaver student worshipping
After reminding his audience of Isaiah 66:1-2, he said, "I believe there could come a day when a pastor isn’t necessarily the best teacher—but he’s the best trembler at God’s word. And he just reads the Word of God and he's like, 'These words came out the mouth of God! I gotta change something. I gotta do something or I'm going to rejoice in that.'"
For all his ministerial experience as the founder and former teaching pastor of Cornerstone Community Church in Simi Valley, Chan shared that he still looks forward to speaking to audiences in settings such as the Well
“I still get excited to come on a college campus, and I think, ‘Can something spiritual happen and people’s lives be transformed?'” Chan said. “I don’t want you all to think this was just ‘a good talk,’ but, instead, for years—for decades to come—you can look back and go, something happened that night, because now the fire is inside of me.”
Attendees expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to hear Chan’s sermon in the relevant setting among fellowship with friends and colleagues. In addition to the strong student presence, the evening welcomed University alumni, staff, and faculty members.
WAVES WORSHIP leading in praise
Wesley Higbee (JD ’25), an alumnus of the Caruso School of Law, regularly attends the Well. Now working in the legal sphere, Higbee considers returning to his alma mater as a moment of spiritual repose, where he and his girlfriend can ground their lives in Christian values alongside beloved community.
“Chan prefaced by saying he simply wants to read the word of God to us—and wants us to tremble at God’s power working within us. He said that God will give us the desire to do his will and to turn away from proactively engaging with sin,” Higbee remarked. “Let’s all be convicted by that. That’s the Gospel.”
WAVES WORSHIP, Pepperdine University’s campus worship collective, provided music to open and close the evening. Following a dedicatory prayer by Seaver student Billy Coull, Tim Spivey (’97, MS ’00, MDiv ’00), vice president for spiritual life and Holly Reed, ministry manager, announced upcoming baptisms occurring on the Malibu campus.
Francis Chan’s presence at Pepperdine will extend to Saturday, February 14, when he will lead the Kingdom Come Discipleship Conference. Along with lattes and Lily’s burritos, attendees will spend time in deep discipleship with Chan on how to walk in intimate relationship with Jesus.
Registration is still open. Please visit the Kingdom Come Discipleship Conference website for more details.