Who Is Ché Ahn and What Is Harvest International Ministry?
Becca Greenwood:
For those who may not know you, can you share a little about who you are and the network you lead—Harvest International Ministry? How big is HIM now?
Ché Ahn:
Harvest International Ministry (HIM) began in the revival atmosphere of the 1990s, and I’ve had the privilege of helping lead and steward what God has done. Years ago, Peter Wagner asked me to count how many churches were aligned with us, and I honestly resisted because I didn’t want to fall into the trap of pride. But he was a church growth specialist and wanted specifics—so we did the work.
In 2008, after two years of counting, we estimated over 25,000 churches aligned with us across about 45 nations at the time. Today, we’re now in 73 nations. The key is: I didn’t plant those churches. I’ve planted maybe a dozen churches, mostly in California. What we did is raise up apostles and leaders in nations—people like Isaac Masayyama in Japan, Dr. Hong in Korea, Simon Karissa in Kenya, and many leaders across India (where we have our largest number of churches). They’ve done the work, and God gets all the glory.
And Becca, I want to honor you too—you’ve impacted so many of our churches. Dr. Nater and leaders in the Middle East regularly speak of you as one of their favorite ministers, and your apostolic-prophetic strength has helped shape HIM as a movement.
Why Is God’s Presence Central to Harvest Rock and HIM?
Becca Greenwood:
One thing I notice everywhere I go with HIM churches and leaders is how tangible the presence of God feels. Why is that so central in this movement?
Ché Ahn:
Harvest Rock Church and HIM were birthed in the revival climate of 1994—right in the era of the Toronto and Brownsville revivals. From the beginning, we’ve believed the presence of God isn’t just the icing on the cake—it is the cake.
We’ve always lived by Exodus 33: unless God’s presence goes with us, we can go no further. And we take Zechariah 4:6 seriously: it’s not by might, not by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord. There’s no way we could have seen this kind of growth and global fruit without the Holy Spirit doing it. We simply jumped in the river—and let the river carry us. It’s been an amazing ride.
Why Did Ché Ahn Decide to Run for Governor of California?
Becca Greenwood:
I really want to talk about your run for governor of California. What happened—how did this begin?
Ché Ahn:
I’ve been teaching revival and reformation for years, because my mentor Peter Wagner taught it for over two decades—especially the call to not only disciple individuals, but to transform nations. But running for governor wasn’t even on my radar.
Then on April 28th—right after our Global Summit conference—the Lord woke me up at 2:22 in the morning. I didn’t have a dream. I didn’t hear an audible voice. But the presence of God came upon me, and I had a deep knowing in my spirit: He was asking me to run for governor of California. My first reaction was to complain. I told the Lord, “Please not that—anything but that.”
After two hours of wrestling, I finally said yes—but I asked God for a major confirmation. I said, “If President Trump invites me to the White House, then I’ll know this is from You.”
That same morning, when I returned from our early prayer meeting, there was an email from the White House inviting me to attend the National Day of Prayer—just three days later. On May 1st, I was just a few feet away from President Trump as he signed an executive order establishing the Religious Freedom Commission. I asked for a sign—and God answered immediately.
Who Confirmed Ché Ahn’s Call to Run?
Becca Greenwood:
After that confirmation, who else spoke into this decision?
Ché Ahn:
I needed my wife Sue to bear witness—and at first she told me, “This is of the devil.” If that hadn’t shifted, I would have stopped right there. But then we began to receive strong confirmation from trusted leaders.
Cindy Jacobs supported us. Lou Engle gave me a word: “Go big or go home.” Bill Johnson—who became my apostolic accountability after Peter Wagner passed—told me, “You’ll make a great governor. I’ll support you 100%.” And I’ve felt an unusual grace from God, and I believe it’s because so many people are praying.
What Would Ché Ahn Do About Abortion in California?
Becca Greenwood:
You’ve been bold about being pro-life. Why is this such a central issue for you?
Ché Ahn:
Because what’s happening in California is monstrous. After Roe v. Wade was overturned on June 24, 2022, Governor Newsom pushed Proposition 1, which codified abortion into the California Constitution. It became law on January 1, 2023. That means abortion is legal up to the final day of the ninth month.
California has also positioned itself as a sanctuary state for abortion—where the state will fund travel and related costs for those who come here, including minors. That’s where taxpayer dollars are going.
I’m running because too many candidates try to sound moderate for political reasons—saying they support abortion only in the first three months. But you can’t draw an arbitrary line and pretend it’s moral. Either it’s life or it’s not.
On day one, I will use executive actions to stop taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood and instead fund crisis pregnancy centers, prenatal care, and support alternatives like making adoption more affordable. I want to build a culture of life—and over time, work toward overturning Proposition 1 legislatively.
How Does Ché Ahn Connect California’s Crisis to Spiritual Root Issues?
Becca Greenwood:
You described so clearly how California has fallen from the top in so many areas. Why do you connect that to spiritual root issues?
Ché Ahn:
Because when you legalize injustice—especially the shedding of innocent blood—it brings consequences. Since these radical policies have increased, California has declined in areas we used to lead: education outcomes, affordability, public safety, homelessness, and basic governance.
We have enormous wealth and resources, yet we’re burdened with debt and mismanagement. We have energy resources, yet the highest gas and electricity prices. We have solutions available, yet political ideology and bureaucracy block common-sense action.
I believe we’re experiencing the fruit of a spiritual curse tied to injustice. That’s why 2 Chronicles 7:14 matters—humility, prayer, and turning from evil ways. But repentance must be expressed in action, not just words. I’m laying down my life because I believe God wants to bring favor and blessing back to this land—and the abortion issue is the number one injustice we must confront.
Why Is Financial Support Essential for This Campaign?
Becca Greenwood:
What do you want people to do right now—how can they help?
Ché Ahn:
First, pray. I truly believe prayer is carrying this campaign. But it won’t happen through prayer alone—we need financial support. Campaigns require resources, and I’m asking people to pray and give as the Lord leads.
The beautiful thing is you don’t have to live in California to support this race. Anyone in the United States can legally give. I’m asking people to go to my website—che4ca.com—and support this campaign, because I believe this is not about me. It’s about California.
What Is Happening on April 11, 2026 at the LA Coliseum?
Becca Greenwood:
You mentioned a major stadium gathering. What is it, and why does it matter?
Ché Ahn:
The Lord spoke to me in June 2024 to do stadium events focused on reaching Gen Z. Now, in God’s sovereignty, it’s converged with this gubernatorial run in a powerful way.
On April 11, 2026, on the 120th anniversary of Azusa Street, we’re gathering at the LA Coliseum. The daytime will be prayer and equipping around revival and reformation. The evening will be a crusade led by evangelist Nathan Morris, whose ministry is marked by extraordinary miracles and global evangelism.
I believe this moment can shake California and help “re-dig the wells” of revival—just as the 120 were in the upper room in Acts. We’re believing God for another Pentecost in California.
Why Does Ché Ahn Believe He Can Take On This “Goliath”?
Becca Greenwood:
Some people may wonder how a longtime pastor takes on something this big. What would you say to that?
Ché Ahn:
I feel like David. I’ve been a pastor for 46 years, and I’ve never held political office. But David said, “Is there not a cause?” God gave him victory over the lion and the bear—then gave him victory over Goliath.
By God’s grace, I’ve seen impossible victories before. I sued Governor Newsom when churches were locked down and faced jail time and crushing fines—but we won, even all the way to the Supreme Court, and received a settlement. I’ve watched God provide millions for stadium events and miracles of provision for major kingdom projects.
That’s why I believe He can do this again—not because of me, but because of the cause: California.
How Does Becca Greenwood Pray for Ché Ahn and California?
Becca Greenwood:
Before we close, I want to pray. What should people be covering in prayer?Ché Ahn:
Cover Sue, our family, and this campaign. Pray for protection, wisdom, and favor. Pray for the April 11th gathering. And pray for righteous governance in California—so this state can return to its God-given destiny and become a place of revival, reformation, and a culture of life again.