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REV. ERNEST CHU

Rev. Ernest Chu (born on September 15, 1946, in New York City) is a spiritual advocate, investment banker, corporate executive and entrepreneur. Rev. Chu is the founder of The Soul Currency® Institute, author of Soul Currency (2008), The Power of Spiritual Capital in Early Stage Enterprises, Journal of Human Values (2010), and a contributing author of 27 Flavors of Fulfillment (2013).

Early Life

Born on September 15, 1946, in New York City, to Philip M. Chu and Esther L. Chu, of Chinese descent. He has one sibling, James A. Chu. He is the father of two sons, Chris Chu and Johnathan Chu. He is married to Rev. MaryCatherine K. Chu, with whom he lives in Deerfield, Florida.

At age 11 he was introduced to tennis by his father and went on to become a successful player on his high school teams that competed at the top of their league. He became a successful tennis coach at Chappaqua Swim and Tennis Association and in the mid 1970s he co-wrote two books, Winning Platform Tennis(1977) and Contemporary Platform Tennis with Doug Russell.

Rev. Chu's early inspiration for academic excellence came from his paternal grandparents. His grandmother, Hia Ping Hiz, was the first woman of Chinese descent to graduate from an American college (Wellesley College 1911). His grandfather graduated from Harvard in 1913. Rev. Chu himself earned his B.A. cum laude from Amherst College in 1966. He studied Chinese and Indian History and Politics at Columbia University where in XX he earned the Moore Fellowship Award.

His extended family members held distinguished political positions in China, including his uncle Zhan Wenjin (Chang Wen-chin), The Vice Foreign Minister of China (1979). His grandmother was friends with the First Lady of China, Soong Ching-ling (1979). As a young student, Rev. Chu traveled on an educational trip to India, Thailand, Manila, Tokyo and Honolulu which sparked his interest in spirituality. This exploration into Eastern philosophy, Rev. Chu maintains, played a pivotal role in the success he enjoys as an entrepreneur and spiritual leader today.

Entrepreneurship

During his long career Rev. Chu has founded more than 9 venture capital companies which have directly and indirectly sourced more than $150 million in equity resources for client companies.

Until 2013, he was the acting Founding Director for Green States Energy Inc., a mid-level independent solar energy producer whose business includes building and owning more than 50 projects in small to medium sized communities in North Carolina, New Mexico, and Massachusetts. He also serves as the Chief Financial Officer of Sprowtt, a leading online platform for early stage capital investment.

Other Accomplishments

In 1971, Rev. Chu was the first Chinese American to become an Allied Member of the New York Stock Exchange, becoming licensed as a NASD Financial Principal.

As a young entrepreneur, Rev. Chu was the first Asian-American chair of the Democratic Party (1976) and actively raised funds for President Jimmy Carter. He is also the founding member of the New York chapter of Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA), as well the Long Island, New Jersey and Westchester chapters.

Writings

Rev. Chu’s father Philip Chu, an architect, and his mother, Esther L. Chu, a psychologist, both had considerable influence in his career as a writer since childhood. He attained a level of success as an author, co-author, speaker, workshop leader and facilitator, and contributor of more than 50 articles in various national magazines and newsletters, including One In Spirit. He published several articles in the Amherst Student newspaper relating his profound experiences during his travel in South East Asia. Following his graduation from Columbia University, in 1969, he wrote for the Wall Street Journal.

His bestselling book, Soul Currency: Investing Your Inner Wealth into Fulfillment and Abundance (2008) is now published in French, German, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, and it is in its 3rd print. He is currently writing a book about John of God.

Spirituality

Photograph of Ernest Chu and Oprah

Rev. Chu was healed of a lymphoma by John of God in Brazil, after his condition had been diagnosed as inoperable by his doctors. His experience was featured on the Oprah Winfrey show. Rev Chu now hosts trips to John of God to help others receive similar healing. 

Rev. Chu is an ordained Minister at the Center for Spiritual Living in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Since 2008 he has hosted spiritual speaking engagements at churches and bookstores throughout the United States. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Soul Currency Institute.