David Chang

Role: Bipartisan Collaboration Leader, Community Builder, Romantic/Life Partner of Sofia Sunaga Last interaction: 2025-08-02 (Buda Texas Extended Evening Conversation) Relationship status: Romantic/Life partner with Sofia Sunaga

Personal Background

David is Sofia Sunaga's romantic and life partner, working together on both spiritual and professional initiatives. He brings extensive experience in bipartisan political collaboration while transitioning toward more explicitly faith-based approaches to social change.

Health and Personal Challenges

• Brain Injury: Mentions having a recent brain injury that affects his cognitive processing at times
• Family Tragedy: Lost his brother after the second Pfizer shot, creating questions about vaccine safety
• Spiritual Resilience: Despite personal challenges, maintains strong faith and collaborative spirit

Spiritual Journey

• Previous Practice: Former involvement in New Age spiritual practices
• Current Faith: Transitioned to Christianity, actively engaged in repentance from New Age
• Baptism: References being baptized within the last two years
• Eastern Orthodox Interest: Strong affinity for Eastern Orthodox Christianity tradition
• Repentance Scholar: "Repentance is one of my favorite subjects, and I've literally bought like 100 books on repentance in the last two years"

Professional Background and Expertise

Bipartisan Collaboration Leadership

• Current Role: Works with Seoul (Grand Bargain Project leader) on bipartisan political initiatives
• Strategic Assessment: Questions effectiveness of bipartisan collaboration space: "Seoul doesn't trust the space. The bipartisan space, the democracy space, the group building space, a lot of it is like all talk and smoke and mirrors"
• Key Focus Areas: Education, healthcare, economic development, deficit reduction, simpler tax code, clean energy
• Problem-Solver Caucus: Involved with bipartisan caucus initiatives but increasingly skeptical of their effectiveness

Community Building and Event Organization

• Family Office Work: Extensive background in family office impact initiatives and wealth stewardship
• Event Hosting: Co-hosts family office impact events with Sofia
• Network Building: Strong connections across bipartisan, faith, and business communities
• Strategic Planning: Provides operational and networking support for collaborative initiatives

Theological and Spiritual Development

Repentance and Spiritual Formation

Regenerative Repentance Concept: Developing innovative theological framework: "I'm interested in coining a term, whether it's anonymous or not, regenerative repentance, because people talk about regenerative agriculture."

Personal Repentance Practice: "We repented for New Age. We still repent for New Age. We still repent Monday for New Age."

Spiritual Warfare Understanding: Sophisticated grasp of spiritual dimensions underlying political and social challenges.

Eastern Orthodox Christianity

Theological Alignment: "Of all the religious traditions, the greatest percentage of people from any one tradition that appreciates everything that Gary has just said about how unseedy popular culture is and other forms of government and technology, seeing that as a satanic initiation, so to speak, it's predominantly those in the more center to conservative part of Eastern Christian Orthodoxy. Like, 90% of them would be 100% with Gary."

Monasticism Interest: Interest in Eastern Orthodox monastic traditions and early Christian saints.

Celtic Christianity and Pilgrimage

Recently completed spiritual pilgrimage with Sofia to Celtic saints locations in Scotland, Ireland, England, and Iceland, gaining insights into early Christian civilization building.

Collaborative Partnership with Sofia Sunaga

David and Sofia function as an integrated personal and professional partnership:

Joint Initiatives:

• Family office impact consulting and wealth stewardship guidance
• Bipartisan political collaboration projects (transitioning away from secular approach)
• Spiritual development and pilgrimage
• Community building and strategic event hosting

David's Primary Strengths:

• Operational planning and execution
• Network relationship management
• Theological study and spiritual formation
• Bipartisan political navigation (though questioning this path)

Current Transition and Strategic Assessment

Movement Away from Secular Politics

Critical Assessment: David recognizes limitations of current bipartisan work: "Seoul feels the same way as Debbie Lynn's boss. So Debbie Lynn and everyone else were almost on their way out of the organization just because Seoul wants to see action."

Strategic Pivot: Exploring transition toward explicitly faith-based approaches to social change in alignment with Gary's Christ-centered vision.

Incremental Change Skepticism: Growing recognition that incremental policy change may be insufficient for addressing systemic issues.

Faith-Based Wealth Stewardship Vision

Strategic Opportunity: Bringing 10-15+ years of experience in family office work to faith-based initiatives: "If they existed and were interested in questions of the emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being of the next generation of inheritors, philanthropists, investors, from a faith-based lens, we do have 10 to 15 to 20 to 25, now 35 perhaps, or 40, whatever, combined years of experience."

Unique Positioning: Rare combination of political collaboration experience with spiritual maturity and wealth stewardship expertise.

Key Relationships and Networks

Primary Partnership

• Sofia Sunaga: Romantic and life partner, collaborator on all major initiatives

Political and Bipartisan Networks

• Seoul: Grand Bargain Project leader, former Wall Street professional, David's primary collaborative partner in bipartisan work
• Debbie Lynn: Previously involved in bipartisan collaboration organization
• Problem-Solver Caucus: Network of bipartisan political leaders

Strategic Connections

• Gary Sheng: Reconnected July 31, 2025, exploring deep spiritual and strategic alignment for kingdom-focused collaboration
• Elliot: Intergen connection who facilitated original meeting with Gary in January 2020
• Chelsea and Chris: Mutual connections in collaborative networks
• Zach: Family office event connections

Faith Community Networks

• Eastern Orthodox contacts: Through spiritual journey and theological study
• Celtic Christianity connections: Developed through pilgrimage experiences

Theological Perspectives and Insights

Spiritual Warfare and Systems Analysis

Systemic Corruption Understanding: Recognizes spiritual dimensions underlying political and social dysfunction, aligning with Gary's perspective on "battling spirits and principalities."

Money, Sex, Power Analysis: Sophisticated understanding of how these three areas create vulnerability and corruption in leadership.

Leadership Development Philosophy

Character-Based Assessment: Emphasizes spiritual formation and character development over purely skills-based leadership training.

Servant Leadership Model: "Christ was the ultimate servant leader" - integrates Christian leadership principles with practical political and business application.

Martyrdom Readiness: Recognizes that authentic leadership may require willingness to suffer for truth: "People want to do things for the sake of Christ."

Vision for Future Collaboration

Christ-Centered Leadership Development

Educational Vision: Interest in developing faith-based leadership training that addresses systemic issues rather than just incremental policy change.

Wealth Stewardship Integration: Bringing family office expertise to support Christian billionaire funding of kingdom-focused initiatives.

Community Building: Creating parallel institutions and networks based on kingdom principles rather than secular frameworks.

Network Integration Strategy

Bridge Building: Leveraging existing bipartisan and family office networks to support faith-based initiatives.

Spiritual Formation: Emphasizing repentance, character development, and spiritual warfare understanding in leadership development.

Long-term Vision: Patient development of authentic Christian civilization patterns over generational timelines.

Interaction History

2025-04-20 (Phone Call)

Initial reconnection call with Gary Sheng and Sofia discussing Gary's Alpha Schools work, movement building strategy, and potential areas for collaboration.

2025-07-31 (Extended Evening Conversation - Austin)

Spiritual Convergence Dialogue: Pivotal conversation with Gary Sheng and Sofia covering:

• Personal spiritual transformation from New Age to Christianity
• Critical assessment of secular bipartisan collaboration effectiveness
• Exploration of faith-based alternatives to current political engagement
• Extensive theological discussions on repentance, Eastern Orthodox Christianity, and spiritual warfare
• Personal vulnerability sharing including family tragedy and brain injury challenges
• Strategic planning for potential collaboration on Christ-centered leadership development
• Concluded with St. Patrick's Breastplate prayer and commitment to continued partnership exploration

2025-08-01 (Post-Monastery Transition Discussion)

Spiritual vs. Financial Security Tension: Extended conversation at Two Hands restaurant following Gary's monastery experience revealing:

• Financial Security Struggle: "I feel like I need to have a ground, especially after a brain injury, I need to have like a base from which I'm working. Even if it's so-called secular matters"
• Gary's Direct Challenge: Confronted about trusting God vs. secular assumptions about fundraising timeline
• Gary's Financial Support Offer: Gary offered direct consultant payments to support David's transition to Christian work
• Recognition of Gary's Authority: "I see Gary as a potential co-creative life partner in this mission. I've literally been considering what Gary's talking about for 20 years. It's just that Gary's taking it to another level"
• Spiritual vs. Intellectual Readiness: "It's spiritual work that you need to have. Because intellectually you're there. You already know what you kind of need to do, right? But it's more of a spiritual thing"
• Bridge-Building Dilemma: Struggle with "saying goodbye to everyone else we've developed relationships with" while embracing authentic Christian calling
• Network Connections: Provided Gary with contacts for Problem Solvers Caucus work despite philosophical disagreement with approach
• Past Patterns Recognition: Honest admission of 20 years of "credit cards and jumping" without security, now seeking more stable transition approach

2025-08-01 (Extended Day-Long Spiritual Business Strategy Session)

Comprehensive Strategic and Spiritual Dialogue: Multi-location conversation demonstrating continued deepening of relationship with Gary as spiritual mentor and strategic advisor:

Bipartisan Collaboration Assessment:

• Detailed discussion of Seoul (Ron Roberts) connection and Grand Bargain Project work on deficit reduction, education, healthcare, and energy
• Gary's systematic critique of bipartisan collaboration effectiveness: "what you're ultimately doing is enabling these politicians to get reelected"
• Assessment of Problem Solvers Caucus initiatives and David's role as relationship facilitator
• Strategic tension between incremental policy change and Gary's call for fundamental spiritual transformation

Family Office and Wealth Stewardship Vision:

• Discussion of 35+ combined years of family office experience with Sofia as potential foundation for Christian wealth stewardship
• Exploration of Chelsea/Chris Logic Tree platform collaboration and next-gen family office networks
• Assessment of UN Climate Week event opportunities and potential Christian family identification
• Gary's vision for $1,000 Christian leadership development course with his financial backing

Spiritual Formation and Anonymous Giving:

• Theological discussion on proper motivation for giving: "Where the giving is coming from is important... there's also a reason to be anonymous giving"
• Repentance practice integration: "We repented for New Age. We still repent for New Age. We still repent Monday for New Age"
• Discussion of spiritual vs. intellectual readiness for full Christian transition
• Gary's challenge to trust divine timing over secular fundraising assumptions

Network Management and Integrity Standards:

• Gary's direct confrontation about relationship management: "This is compromising your integrity with me because you need to make money"
• Discussion of quality vs. quantity in professional relationships and referral standards
• Assessment of incentive structures that compromise authentic spiritual alignment
• Strategic planning for gradual transition from secular to exclusively Christian partnerships over one-year timeline

Elite Corruption and Spiritual Warfare Analysis:

• Extended discussion of Adrenochrome conspiracy theories and elite corruption patterns
• Gary's revelation about Mr. Beast and Chinese billionaire encounters involving disturbing practices
• Analysis of systemic corruption scope: "How can you expect people that cover for rapists to do anything that's good?"
• Understanding of spiritual warfare principles underlying political and business corruption

The session revealed David's continued recognition of Gary as "potential co-creative life partner" while struggling with practical transition challenges. Gary's offer of direct financial support addresses David's security concerns while maintaining uncompromising standards for authentic Christian work development.

2025-08-02 (Buda Texas Extended Evening - Isaac Encounter and Spiritual Authority Tensions)

Multi-Location Conversation: Providential dinner encounter with Isaac (16-year-old Orthodox convert waiter) followed by intense discussion of spiritual warfare, surveillance systems, and ministry ethics:

Partnership Ethics and Vatican Opposition:

• Chelsea/Logic Tree Dilemma: Struggled with partnership involving Vatican field trips: "I don't want to be associated with a center that offers trips to the Vatican. I don't know if I feel comfortable with that"
• Gary's Vatican Challenge: Accepted Gary's assessment that Vatican trips are "ego trips" adding spiritual confusion
• Compromise vs. Integrity: Wrestled with maintaining secular partnerships while embracing authentic Orthodox witness

Trust and Relationship Vulnerability:

• Phone Privacy Concerns: Revealed deep trust issues: "When I say, is your phone off? If you tell me it's off and if it's not, I'm going to be pissed at you... It's just huge trust issues"
• Abandonment/Betrayal Patterns: "I have abandonment, betrayal issues from being young, usually once people lie to me once, they're done"
• Gary's White Lie: Confronted Gary about airplane mode deception, triggering trauma responses around trustworthiness

Orthodox vs. Evangelical Methodology:

• Embodiment Emphasis: "There's wonderful aspects to Orthodoxy that are evangelical, but they always say it's your embodiment, your example. Use, use your, use actions, use words when necessary"
• Attraction Over Promotion: "The portion that is, they're still trying to focus on embodiment and living it out fully. And then people start to ask, whoa, why are you so humble? Why are you so joyful?"
• Gary vs. Street Preacher Comparison: Recognized similarity between Gary's direct approach and Orthodox convert Eric who "would have said the exact same thing as Gary"

Spiritual Warfare and Surveillance State:

• Palantir System Understanding: Engaged Gary's explanation of technological control systems as manifestation of spiritual warfare
• List-Making Paranoia: Explored tension between operational security and authentic Christian witness
• Martyrdom Readiness vs. Security: "I don't want to be persecuted just for asking people to give money to the poor. That's basic. That should not be worth being persecuted for"

Gender Dynamics and Marriage:

• Masculine Strategy vs. Feminine Timing: "That's what men do, Sofia. That's what men do. We try to strategize and figure things out"
• Supporting Sofia's Spiritual Authority: Defended Sofia's need for divine timing against Gary's urgency
• Marriage as Spiritual Formation: Recognized suffering and challenges within marriage as part of sanctification process

Future Ministry Vision:

• Elite Access Strategy: "If we found the best examples and put them in front of people of wealth, power, influence, then would that be helpful?"
• Urgency Questions: "What if there's no more time? What if we have to do it all now?"
• Discernment Process: Accepted Gary's counsel that "everyone, through spiritual mentorship with the priests and talking with partner and friends and prayer, needs to discern what their path is"

Strategic Positioning and Future Potential

David represents a unique combination of:

Political Experience: Extensive background in bipartisan collaboration and political navigation Spiritual Maturity: Deep theological study and personal spiritual formation Wealth Networks: Family office connections and wealth stewardship expertise Operational Capability: Strong planning, networking, and execution skills Partnership Multiplication: Integrated collaboration with Sofia creating enhanced impact potential

His transition from secular political work toward faith-based approaches creates significant opportunity for supporting Gary's Christ-centered leadership development vision while bringing established networks and operational expertise to kingdom-focused initiatives.

Gary's Support Offer: Gary's willingness to provide direct financial support for David's transition demonstrates recognition of David's potential value while removing financial barriers to authentic Christian work. This creates unique opportunity for David to move beyond compromise-based secular approaches toward pure kingdom work development.

Personal Challenges and Resilience

Health and Tragedy Management

David's brain injury and family loss demonstrate his resilience and ability to maintain faith and collaborative spirit despite significant personal challenges.

Spiritual Growth Through Suffering

His experiences with personal and family suffering have deepened his spiritual understanding and commitment to authentic faith-based approaches over superficial solutions.

Vulnerability and Authenticity

Willingness to share personal struggles and questions demonstrates emotional maturity and authentic approach to relationships and collaboration.

Transcripts

Transcript ID	Date	Summary
2025-08-02-gary-sheng-sofia-sunaga-david-chang-isaac-orthodox-waiter-buda-texas-dinner-conversation	2025-08-02	2025-08-02: Gary Sheng, Sofia Sunaga, David Chang, and Isaac (Orthodox Waiter) - Buda Texas Dinner C
2025-08-01-gary-sofia-david-spiritual-business-strategy-networking-session	2025-08-01	2025-08-01 Gary-Sofia-David Spiritual Business Strategy and Networking Session
2025-07-31-gary-sheng-sofia-sunaga-david-chang-spiritual-convergence-dialogue	2025-07-31	Gary Sheng, Sofia Sunaga, David Chang - Spiritual Convergence Dialogue
2025-07-28-gary-sheng-sofia-sunaga-david-chang-conversation	2025-07-28	Phone call about Gary's travel plans, career transitions, and spiritual support

Notes

David represents a valuable potential collaborator for Gary's Christ-centered vision, bringing unique combination of political experience, spiritual depth, and operational capability. His partnership with Sofia creates multiplicative potential for supporting faith-based leadership development and community building initiatives.

His transition from secular bipartisan work toward explicitly Christian approaches parallels Gary's own evolution and creates natural alignment for future collaboration. The July 31, 2025 conversation revealed deep theological compatibility and strategic thinking that could support significant kingdom-focused initiatives.

David's emphasis on repentance, spiritual formation, and character-based leadership development aligns well with Gary's approach to developing authentic leaders capable of addressing systemic challenges rather than just incremental policy change.

The August 1, 2025 post-monastery conversation revealed Gary's emergence as spiritual teacher and mentor, offering both uncompromising spiritual counsel and practical financial support for David's transition. This creates unprecedented opportunity for David to move beyond his 20-year pattern of "credit cards and jumping" toward divinely supported kingdom work development. Gary's direct challenge to trust God over secular fundraising timelines, combined with his offer of financial support, addresses both David's spiritual and practical transition needs.

Transcripts

Transcript ID	Date	Summary
2025-07-31-gary-sheng-sofia-sunaga-david-chang-spiritual-convergence-dialogue	2025-07-31	Spiritual convergence dialogue covering faith-based leadership and Eastern Orthodox Christianity
2025-08-01-gary-sofia-david-post-monastery-spiritual-transition-discussion	2025-08-01	Post-monastery spiritual discussion in car ride revealing Orthodox vs. other Christianity insights
2025-08-01-gary-sofia-david-spiritual-business-strategy-networking-session	2025-08-01	Extended spiritual business strategy session covering Orthodox experience and ministry collaboration
2025-08-02-gary-sheng-sofia-sunaga-david-chang-isaac-orthodox-waiter-buda-texas-dinner-conversation	2025-08-02	Providential dinner encounter with Orthodox teen Isaac plus spiritual trauma revelation