Francis Chan Explores Understanding God's Love Through Reverent Fear at 2026 Kingdom Come Conference

Perched just above the Pacific Ocean in Malibu, California, Pepperdine University uniquely blends its immaculate landscape with a commitment to discipleship. Inspired by the spiritual uplift shared at this year's Pepperdine Worship Summit and a desire to welcome back speaker and preacher Francis Chan, the University hosted a God-centered event at which students could encounter God deeply in a restful, sacred setting. The result was Kingdom Come, a transformative experience guided by Chan's spiritual teachings and designed to help students embrace the values of God's kingdom.

WAVES WORSHIP

Held on Saturday, February 14, 2026, students gathered in Elkins Auditorium for a morning of worship with WAVES WORSHIP and insightful discussion led by Chan. Opening the event, Danny DeWalt, senior vice president for global impact and chief of staff at Pepperdine, shared the vision behind the conference, describing it as a response to what God is doing on campus. He emphasized the desire to create a life-changing discipleship experience—an opportunity for students to “spend the morning with Jesus and Francis Chan,” and center their focus on spiritual formation.

"For the last few months, Francis has been thinking about you. He's been praying about you, for you, and listening to the Lord, and he holds truth in his heart to invest in us this morning," explained DeWalt. "I want to encourage you to be open. I invite you to the edge of your seat to what God wants to do in your heart today."

Francis Chan

Chan related that love was the defining theme of his message, describing God’s love as both restorative and all consuming. Yet he insisted that this love cannot be rightly understood apart from a reverent fear of the Lord. God’s love, he explained, is covenantal, steadfast, and immeasurable—but directed toward those who fear him. According to Chan, fear and love are not opposites; rather, fear is the doorway through which we come to truly grasp the depth of God’s love.

“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him . . .” said Chan. “It starts with the fear of the Lord, and when you have that fear of the Lord, then you begin to understand his love.”

Laced with personal anecdotes and references to his own journey with God, including a story about his strained relationship with his father, Chan opened up about his own struggles with insecurity and need for affirmation. He highlighted the necessity of silent prayer and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, which he believes reveals God's divine love. Chan challenged attendees to embrace silence and patience, reminding them that it is often in quiet waiting that we hear God’s voice most clearly and encounter his love most deeply.

Crowd in prayer

“Your mind is so used to constant stimulation . . . but our whole faith is about waiting,” said Chan. “Those that wait upon the Lord, the ones that are going to endure; he shall renew their strength.”

The session concluded with a call to embrace the mystery of God's presence and love. Love is experiential and inexplicable, explained Chan, and something God offers to you at the core of your being, not just a doctrine you agree with.

"God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit … How does the Holy Spirit put the love of God inside of the core of your being? It’s a mystery," said Chan. "And I hope that’s why you came into the room today—not for information, not for explanations, but for mystery.”

Following Chan’s sermon, attendees gathered for lunch and a time of reflection, with encouragement to step away afterward for personal prayer and quiet time with the Lord. Alongside a strong student presence, the morning welcomed a wide cross section of the Pepperdine community, including alumni, faculty, and staff. In addition to the Kingdom Come conference and the 2025 Pepperdine Worship Summit, Chan recently spoke at the Well, Pepperdine’s weekly opportunity for believers from all backgrounds to come together for fellowship, music, and spiritual teaching.

For more information about worship and spiritual opportunities at Pepperdine, visit the Hub for Spiritual Life website.