Sofia Sunaga

Role: Spiritual Collaborator, Community Builder, Romantic/Life Partner of David Chang Last interaction: 2025-08-02 (Buda Texas Dinner and Spiritual Trauma Revelation) Relationship status: Romantic/Life partner with David Chang

Personal Background

Sofia is David Chang's romantic and life partner, with whom she collaborates on both spiritual and professional initiatives. Together they represent a dynamic partnership combining spiritual depth with practical community building and bipartisan collaboration experience.

Cultural and Family Heritage

• Language: Portuguese is her native/mother language
• Cultural Background: Brazilian heritage, though currently living in Austin, Texas
• Family Class: Grew up in "intellectualized class" environment
• Father's Influence: Father particularly skeptical of religion, viewing it as "for the masses"
• Mother's Approach: Provided some religious education but framed it as "perspective" rather than foundational ontology
• Religious Stigma: Experienced cultural stigma around Christian language and concepts in her native Portuguese context

Spiritual Journey

• Previous Spiritual Practice: Formerly involved in New Age spiritual practices
• Current Faith: Transitioned to Christianity, actively engaged in repentance from New Age practices
• Spiritual Maturity: Demonstrates sophisticated understanding of spiritual discernment and wisdom principles
• Celtic Christianity: Recently completed pilgrimage to Celtic saints locations in Scotland, Ireland, England, and Iceland
• Eastern Orthodox Christianity: Active engagement with Greek Orthodox monasticism and liturgy
• Holy Archangels Monastery: Regular visitor to Holy Archangels Greek Orthodox Monastery near Austin
• Foreign Language Spiritual Practice: Values experiencing liturgy in Greek as it enables different spiritual connection than native Portuguese

Personal Philosophy and Insights

Spiritual Discernment Framework: "Innocence of not knowing is actually safer. The wise, the discernment must be there... every time that there's judgment, like, we open up a door for attacks."

Historic Christian Vision: "We were in the pilgrimage stores, early Celtic saints in Scotland, Ireland, England, and Iceland, and to see that an entire Christian civilization came out of these monks... Who were called to finding their solitude and their prayer, the light of God, and then enlightened the whole of Europe."

Long-term Faith Perspective: "I'm interested in how people, through their love for Christ, going about what it is to live that faith truthfully, fully, we start generating a pattern that maybe just we'll be able to see in a thousand years."

Orthodox Liturgical Understanding: "So in a way, liturgy is that moment where the intangible, we can have a little bit of experience of that mystery. Because our minds are materials still, our frames, they're too small to be able to understand the greatness of God."

Foreign Language and Spiritual Access: "There's something about the foreign language that almost enables us to experience God in a different way... When I say Maria, my Jesus, I feel like... there is a contradiction because I was taught by my parents that religion was to continue with the masses."

Professional Background and Expertise

Community and Civic Engagement

• Intergenerational Work: Extensive background in intergenerational family office work and impact initiatives
• Event Organization: Co-hosted family office impact events, including the event where she and David originally met Gary through Elliot's invitation
• Decision-Making Systems: Interested in developing community-oriented decision-making processes and civic engagement technologies
• Bipartisan Collaboration: Works alongside David on bipartisan political initiatives, though questioning the secular approach

Strategic Thinking and Analysis

• Systems Thinking: Demonstrates sophisticated understanding of civic infrastructure and community organization
• Technology Integration: Interested in the intersection of technology and community decision-making that enables authentic participation
• Cultural Analysis: Provides insights on spiritual and cultural transformation patterns

Collaborative Partnership with David Chang

Sofia and David function as an integrated partnership both personally and professionally:

Joint Initiatives:

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

Complementary Roles:

• Sofia appears to focus more on spiritual discernment and long-term vision
• David handles more operational and networking aspects
• Both provide strategic thinking and relationship building

Spiritual Practices and Beliefs

Christ-Centered Transformation

Repentance Practice: Actively engaged in ongoing repentance from former New Age practices, as David confirmed: "We repented for New Age. We still repent for New Age. We still repent Monday for New Age."

Spiritual Warfare Understanding: Recognizes spiritual dimensions of social and political challenges, aligning with Gary's perspective on "battling spirits and principalities, not people."

Faith-Based Decision Making: Emphasizes prayer, discernment, and divine timing in strategic decisions and relationships.

Theological Perspectives

Grace and Forgiveness: "Repentance requires forgiveness. So if God forgives, can you forgive?"

Racial and Cultural Spiritual Insights: Demonstrated sophisticated understanding of how suffering and faith intersect across different communities: "What I know to be true is that these people's hearts are intact with suffering that those who survive in are standing. The quality of their love in their heart is just like, there's just no comparison, yeah. And that's the gain of the soul."

Current Transition and Vision

Movement Away from Secular Approaches

Sofia and David are reconsidering their secular bipartisan collaboration work in favor of more explicitly faith-based approaches:

Strategic Assessment: Recognizing limitations of secular incremental change and exploring alignment with Gary's Christ-centered vision for leadership development and community transformation.

Future Collaboration: Expressed strong interest in developing faith-based alternatives to current secular collaboration work, potentially pivoting to support Gary's vision for Christ-centered leadership development.

Community Building Vision

Civic Infrastructure: "Civic infrastructure, right? Because I think this type of leadership has been required for the kind of type of government for decision-making and what's going on. Technology is enabling people's participation in things that they're going to share."

Human-Centered Technology: Interested in technology that enables authentic human decision-making and community participation rather than replacement or manipulation.

Key Relationships and Networks

Primary Partnership

• David Chang: Romantic and life partner, collaborator on all major initiatives

Strategic Connections

• Gary Sheng: Reconnected July 31, 2025, exploring deep spiritual and strategic alignment for kingdom-focused collaboration
• Elliot: Connection through Intergen who facilitated original meeting with Gary in January 2020
• Seoul: Through David's connection to Grand Bargain Project leadership
• Family Office Networks: Extensive connections in wealth stewardship and impact investing circles

Faith Community Networks

• Father Josif: Spiritual relationship with Orthodox monk at Holy Archangels Monastery
• Eastern Orthodox Community: Active engagement with Greek Orthodox monasticism in Austin area
• Celtic Christianity Interest: Connections developed through pilgrimage to Celtic saints locations

Interaction History

2025-04-20 (Phone Call)

Participated in initial reconnection call with Gary Sheng and David Chang discussing Gary's Alpha Schools work, strategy for engaging "legends" to launch microschools, and operational aspects of movement building.

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

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

• Transition from New Age to Christianity
• Assessment of secular vs. faith-based approaches to social change
• Extensive discussion of spiritual warfare, systemic corruption, and leadership development
• Exploration of potential collaboration on Christ-centered leadership development
• Theological discussions on repentance, Eastern Orthodox Christianity, and community transformation
• Concluded with St. Patrick's Breastplate prayer and commitment to continued collaboration

2025-08-01 (Holy Archangels Greek Orthodox Monastery Visit)

Orthodox Spiritual Mentorship: Brought Gary to experience Orthodox liturgy for the first time, facilitating profound theological conversation with Father Josif covering:

• Guided Gary through his first Orthodox liturgical experience ("jumping in the deep end")
• Personal sharing about overcoming intellectual/cultural barriers to Christian faith in Portuguese context
• Discussion of holiness, liturgical transcendence, and foreign language spiritual practice
• Facilitated introduction between Gary and Father Josif for extensive theological dialogue
• Demonstrated sophisticated understanding of Orthodox theology, essence vs. energies doctrine, and contemporary spiritual warfare
• Role as spiritual bridge-builder bringing together seekers and Orthodox spiritual authority

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

Theological Sophistication and Bridge-Building: Extended conversation with Gary and David at Two Hands restaurant revealing:

• Immanence vs. Transcendence Theology: "Most of Orthodoxy is about transcendence. It's about caring for the soul, not about caring for Christ... And yet, God is constantly coming into nature, sustaining life by imminence"
• New Age Ontological Critique: Understanding that New Age fails because "we think it's only us" without acknowledging demonic spiritual forces
• Material vs. Spiritual Reality: "We're limiting reality to being just the scene or the material world. Forgetting that we actually can sense some into the unseen and the immaterial world"
• Bridge-Building Role: Serving as theological mediator between Gary's uncompromising spiritual stance and David's practical transition challenges
• Beauty as Divine Path: Reinforcing "Love, truth, and beauty" as reflections of divine reality

2025-08-02 (Buda Texas Dinner - Providential Isaac Encounter and Deep Spiritual Trauma Revelation)

Extended Evening Conversation: Remarkable "divine appointment" dinner at Buda restaurant featuring providential encounter with Isaac, 16-year-old Orthodox convert waiter, followed by intensely personal spiritual warfare discussion:

Partnership Ethical Struggles:

• Wrestled with Chelsea/Logic Tree partnership involving Vatican field trips for wealthy clients: "Chelsea's partnering with someone who likes to do field trips to visit the Vatican"
• Challenged by Gary's strong opposition to Vatican association as spiritual deception
• Tension between secular partnership opportunities and authentic Orthodox witness integrity

Deep Spiritual Trauma Disclosure:

• Fear of Masculine Divine Authority: "I think a lot of women really hate the idea of like a fatherly, masculine God... I have been afraid of God. But I didn't know I was afraid of God. But I was afraid of life"
• Womb-Level Ancestral Trauma: "There's memory in there... Subconscious. It's engraved in the physiology... So to have millennia of women not being wanted because of being like second class citizens"
• Cultural/Linguistic Christian Barriers: "I needed to speak to Christ in English... Maria Montes was much better. But Mary, Mother of Jesus, I was like, I couldn't speak those words"
• Birth Trauma Connection: "My birth was also C-section. I didn't choose when to come in... People pulled me out"

Resistance to Gary's Public Witness Challenge:

• Questioned Gary's Spiritual Authority: "How are you to tell me when God is telling you to come out? Who are you to tell me this time? You're no one... Why do I have to listen to your voices instead of mine to God?"
• Challenged Friendship Definitions: "Are you considering yourself my friend?... The way you make friends, it feels like it's like do or die"
• Defended Divine Timing: "We do not know how God works... It's what might be a pitfall to actually be in communion with God because God knows and God's timing"

Orthodox vs. Evangelical Methodology Defense:

• Feminine Spiritual Approach: "The directiveness, right? The womb just sits in darkness and blindness... You don't order. You don't shout out... The baby cannot come out before it's time"
• Embodiment Over Proclamation: Supported Orthodox approach of living faith authentically until people ask questions rather than direct evangelism
• Self-Assessment of Spiritual Readiness: "I'm looking at my life. I don't see the fruits of my life... I just need to see despair"

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

Comprehensive Dialogue: Multi-location conversation covering Orthodox Christianity, family office work, and strategic collaboration planning:

Spiritual Discernment and Business Integration:

• Detailed presentation of Logic Tree platform and Chelsea/Chris collaboration opportunities
• Discussion of Intergen's transition from New Age to Christian worldview while maintaining family office networks
• Exploration of Oxford business school study on faith-based impact investing market (Christians representing trillions)
• Strategic assessment of creating Christian wealth stewardship courses and leadership development programs

Orthodox Christianity and Theological Development:

• Facilitated Gary's first Orthodox liturgical experience and introduction to Father Yosef at Holy Archangels Monastery
• Shared insights on foreign language spiritual practice enabling different connection to divine: "There's something about the foreign language that almost enables us to experience God in a different way"
• Discussion of overcoming cultural and family barriers to Christian faith in Portuguese context
• Theological dialogue on essence vs. energies doctrine, transcendence vs. immanence, and contemporary spiritual warfare

Strategic Collaboration Framework:

• Explored potential embedding of Intergen within Logic Tree infrastructure for Christian leadership programming
• Discussed Gary's vision for Christian billionaire funding and transition from secular bipartisan work
• Assessed Chelsea's UN Climate Week event (September 22, 2025) at World Trade Center as potential networking opportunity
• Strategic planning for one-year transition timeline toward exclusively Christ-centered partnerships

Network Integration and Vision Alignment:

• Discussion of next-gen family office hubs concept and local community integration challenges
• Evaluation of public-private partnership models for creating "Soho House for impact" networks
• Assessment of secular vs. faith-based approaches to wealth stewardship and leadership development
• Gary's offer of financial support for their transition to authentic Christian work

Strategic Positioning and Future Vision

Sofia represents a unique combination of spiritual maturity, practical community building experience, and strategic thinking capability. Her partnership with David creates a powerful team for:

Faith-Based Community Development: Transitioning from secular bipartisan work to explicitly Christ-centered community building and leadership development.

Wealth Stewardship Integration: Bringing family office and impact investing experience to kingdom-focused initiatives.

Spiritual-Practical Integration: Demonstrated ability to combine deep spiritual discernment with practical community building and civic engagement.

Long-term Kingdom Vision: Committed to generational thinking and patient development of authentic Christian civilization patterns.

Transcripts

Transcript ID	Date	Summary
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
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
2025-08-01-gary-sofia-father-josif-orthodox-monastery-theological-discussion	2025-08-01	Deep theological discussion at Holy Archangels Monastery with Father Josif
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

Sofia demonstrates remarkable spiritual maturity and strategic thinking capability, making her a valuable potential collaborator for Gary's Christ-centered leadership development vision. Her partnership with David creates multiplicative potential, as both have extensive networks, spiritual foundation, and practical experience in high-level collaboration.

Her transition from New Age to Christianity parallels Gary's own spiritual evolution, creating natural alignment for future kingdom-focused initiatives. The July 31, 2025 conversation revealed deep theological and strategic compatibility that could support significant collaborative opportunities in faith-based community building and leadership development.

Sofia's emphasis on divine timing, spiritual discernment, and long-term generational thinking aligns well with Gary's approach to kingdom advancement through patient relationship building and strategic network development.

Transcripts

Transcript ID	Date	Summary
2025-07-31-gary-sheng-sofia-sunaga-david-chang-spiritual-convergence-dialogue	2025-07-31	Extensive spiritual dialogue on Christ-centered leadership and departure from secular approaches