A former megachurch pastor has shocked some and encouraged others with the announcement of a move to Asia to become a missionary.

Francis Chan, a best-selling author, and preacher announced to students at Asuza Pacific University that he and his family are becoming full-time international missionaries. 

Chan says he made the decision after a recent trip to Myanmar with his family.

"We were just with a translator going from hut to hut in these slums, trying to explain to people who Jesus is. These people had never even heard of Him," Chan said to the students at the chapel sermon. He was blown away by what he witnessed. He says he saw an eagerness that wasn't part of his normal day. A seed was planted in his heart.

On the way home, Chan realized he wanted to be a part of that movement. He uses the idea of being "fishers of men" to describe what he is thinking. He wants to be a 'fisherman in that pond'. On the flight, he remembers saying to his wife, "there’s, like, thousands of other fishermen at the same pond, and our lines are getting tangled and everyone’s fighting over stupid things.” It's in reference to the number of pastors in North America. 

For Chan, this bold move isn't a first. He consistently goes against the grain when it comes to what people expect of him. 

The first shock was in 2010 when he left his mega-church, Cornerstone Community Church. It was founded the year he and his wife got married and yet they left to pastor a small church plant. He was not concerned about numbers or what others thought. 

This decision is no different. 

The big move is scheduled for February 2020.