2025-06-17 Gary Sheng & Victory Boyd Church Visit and Strategic Ministry Discussion

Meeting Context

• Setting: Day-long interaction starting at Linda Heidler's church (Glory of Zion International Ministries), followed by Meow Wolf immersive art experience, then extended dinner conversation
• Purpose: Victory Boyd introducing Gary to her spiritual community and deeper strategic discussion about ministry, music career, and calling
• Key Development: Gary experiencing Victory's church community and extensive discussion about alternative paths for Christian artists

Participants Background

• Gary Sheng: Strategic advisor and network builder, currently working with Alpha Schools and Dr. Alexander, exploring faith-tech integration
• Victory Boyd: Singer/songwriter on Roc Nation, recent member of Glory of Zion, seeking sustainable Christian music ministry model
• Linda Heidler: Church co-founder and ministry leader, provides spiritual covering and mentorship for Victory

Major Topics Discussed

1. Linda Heidler's Church and Spiritual Journey

Church History and Transformation: Glory of Zion's evolution from home Bible study

Linda: "My husband and I... We started from a home Bible study in 1974, and then incorporated as a church in 1976."

Spiritual Journey from Baptist to Spirit-Filled: Personal transformation story

Linda: "My faith has been a journey, because I was raised in church, raised in a Baptist church... I joined the church when I was nine, and assumed I was saved, and I was not. And so, I spent the next eight years, when I was 17... that's where I really had a life-changing experience."

Theological Shift on Spiritual Gifts: Major doctrinal change from cessationism

Linda: "We weren't against the Holy Spirit. We were against the power and the gifts of the Holy Spirit today. We believed the Holy Spirit was the third person of eternity... but we just didn't believe that healing or miracles or prophecy or tongues were for today."

Supernatural Breakthrough Experience: Divine intervention during ministry crisis

Linda: "We went through a year that was horrible... we were just burned out. We were angry. We were ready to leave the ministry... He prayed for us, and he said, I'm having a vision... you've been looking at things through a stained-glass window, and you can't see things clearly, but God's going to do something... we woke up the next morning, and it was as if everything in our lives had changed."

2. Church Facility and Ministry Operations

Massive Facility: Former Boeing manufacturing plant with extensive capabilities

Linda: "This was an old Boeing manufacturing plant... it was empty for 10 years. And when we bought it... I think it was $3 million."

Multi-Faceted Ministry: Beyond traditional church services

• Recording studios and media production
• Furniture refinishing ministry for sex trafficking survivors
• Prayer call center with multiple phone lines
• Peter Wagner memorial room and theological library
• International missions support

Israel Prayer Garden: Symbolic representation of 12 tribes

Victory: "So this is the Israel Prayer Garden. There are different each tribe of Israel is represented in different sections of the garden... There is a Hebrew month associated with each tribe."

3. Victory Boyd's Spiritual Community and Support System

Church as Safe Haven: Finding proper spiritual covering

Victory: "It's one of the only places that really can understand the assignment. And a lot of times unique people can sometimes be persecuted by the church."

Proper Support System Discovery: Balance between recognition and accountability

Victory: "Either they're so adoring me that it's hard to be real. Or they're ignoring me... But imagine you're surrounded by people that understand your assignment. And they're like, you need to shine as brightly as you possibly can."

Prayer Team and Accountability: Comprehensive spiritual support

Victory: "They have a whole prayer team that they... Assemble... Just to intercede for me... I never go anywhere without people knowing... Where I'm going. What I'm doing. That I made it home safely."

4. Gary's Educational Mission and Alpha Schools Critique

Alpha Schools Technology Explanation: AI-assisted education model

Gary: "You get through what I would say the boring common core stuff in the first two hours of the day. And that leaves you six hours the rest of the day to do workshops, life skills, maybe write an album, right? And so that's, that's what's possible with AI, right? You have an adaptive AI tutor that helps you get through the first two hours of the day."

Orthodox Jewish School Application: Practical implementation example

Gary: "There is a possibility of the technology that the company has built could help Orthodox Jewish schools stay compliant with New York City, New York State education standards laws. Because they basically underprioritize the common core... They're basically sort of studying Torah all day."

China Education Opportunity: International expansion and bridge-building

Gary: "I did not expect myself to be talking to leaders of China right now... Tomorrow I'm gonna be flying out to Tulsa to spend time with a mentor and partner... Dr. Lael Alexander... The smartest man on Earth... The next Einstein."

5. Dr. Alexander Introduction and Vision

Dr. Alexander's Background: Revolutionary technologist and educator

Gary: "Dr. Lael Alexander... The smartest man on Earth... The next Einstein. Or the current Einstein, I'd say. Is a black man from rural Louisiana... Who's gonna have the highest impact on humanity."

China Manufacturing Connection: Historical significance

Gary: "Where he... Made his name mostly in China... Because he helped China... Build its manufacturing... Like, powerhouse city. Shenzhen. So, he was the main non-Chinese person... That helped China become a manufacturing powerhouse."

Spiritual Awakening Through Health Crisis: Divine intervention and redirection

Gary: "God struck him down. He had a heart attack... That happened a little over a year ago. It basically prevented him from doing his normal default stuff for six months. He ended up writing dozens of books... he was not being obedient enough to God. Because God gave him this Einstein brain. But was he using it fully in service?"

6. Prophecy and China Leadership Transition

Prophetic Word About China: Accurate historical predictions

Linda: "In 1986, God spoke to him about China in 10-year remembrance... by 96, China will start to open up. By 2006, China will begin to be considered a world leader. By 2016, China will be the economic leader. And by 2026, China will be the leading nation of the world."

Current China Transition: Potential regime change

Gary: "People representing the government of China. You're getting word that transition of leadership is happening... The problem is when you're acting like a dictator, people will want to be dead. Considering stepping down. It may be a more Christian-aligned leadership."

7. Victory Boyd's Music Career and Roc Nation Challenges

Family Musical Background: Infinity Song and artistic development

Victory: "My family is in the music industry too. And they're pretty well known... Infinity Song... I was one of the founding members of the band. So like... I dipped out right before they blew up. To go start over. Doing gospel music."

Roc Nation Frustrations: Label relationship difficulties

Gary: "So what's the experience been like on Jay-Z's label? Are you planning to still be on it?" Victory: "I don't know. I'm honestly frustrated. They're not the best partners for developing artists."

Album Completion Issues: Creative work being held

Victory: "They've been sitting on it since February... They haven't put up a budget to create marketing materials... They love it. They really do have a lot of talent, but it's... I don't know if that's a regret, but Jason's right."

8. Alternative Ministry and Funding Models

Patron System Vision: High-value supporter model

Gary: "It just cannot be the $20 a month type thing, you know? It has to be like $1,000 a month... For access. For fellowship, right? For... A feeling that you're... You're the next Fadiki, right? Helping Michelangelo paint the Sistine Chapel."

Christian Billionaire Strategy: Targeting strategic donors

Gary: "Give wealthy Christian billionaires... And millionaires... The opportunity to tithe. In a big way... Why might it be just as or more valuable... Or more urgent... To tithe to you... Than, like, a typical church... Tithe, right?"

Independent Artist Vision: Technology-enabled community building

Gary: "I feel like people have not figured out how to help artists go really independent. And do well... Build community around their art. And be able to kind of easily pay their bills."

9. Spiritual Warfare and Entertainment Industry

Kanye West Analysis: Spiritual battle and downfall

Victory: "I think that Kanye wants attention... I think Kanye was not ready for the spiritual warfare that was coming that was gonna backlash from his decision to follow Jesus and lead a generation to Jesus."

Biblical Framework for Spiritual Decline: Seven-fold return of evil spirits

Victory: "The Bible says that when you, when an evil spirit leaves a man, if you don't, if he doesn't be refilled with the right spirit, demons seven times worse will come... That's what we're witnessing with Kanye."

Entertainment Industry Spiritual Dynamics: Creative process and spiritual influences

Victory: "He only creates by, by way of the spirit realm... he's a master at taking messages from the spirit realm and translating them through sound music... he's partnered with demonic spirits now."

10. Victory's Calling and Identity

Divine Dream and Calling: Future impact vision

Victory: "I had a dream one day that I was the most famous singer in the world. But it wasn't that I... the culmination of all my life turned out to be legendary. So it was important that I continue to live how I live without compromising to try to be famous."

Bicycle Accident Revelation: Identity transformation through brokenness

Victory: "When I was 18, I got a traumatic bicycle accident. I've never been a singer my whole life... I lost my identity. I lost a lot of... Of his strength... And so this was too much... For me and all my strength... To overcome. I knew I was going to die."

Gospel Mission Through Music: Strategic approach to ministry

Victory: "God showed me. When I was 18 years old... That he's going to take me to the top. Of the secular music industry. To tell my story... I got to become one of those... Powerful people in the world. Talents. That people can recognize the value... All so that I can carry the real value. Which is... the power of Jesus Christ."

11. Immersive Experience and Technology Vision

Meow Wolf Experience: Inspiration for Christian applications

• Visited immersive art installation with 3D glasses and interactive environments
• Discussion of potential Christian immersive experiences
• Recognition that secular entertainment has monopolized innovative formats

Jesus Immersive Experience Vision: Revolutionary ministry application

Gary: "I was asked to help... Rethink the Vatican Museums... I was seriously... working to develop a Jesus experience... Imagine walking through his life. All the challenges and persecutions. But it's a real experience."

Technology Application for Ministry: Dr. Alexander's capabilities

Gary: "Dr. Alexander could literally... He literally creates bendy LED walls... And he used to be so excited about this stuff... The stuff that's kind of waiting to happen. We're like maxed out on the secular stuff... It's time for these corporations to make money from Christians."

12. Race Relations and Cultural Bridge-Building

Asian-Black Collaboration: Addressing cultural misconceptions

Victory: "But I still feel like there's a lot of racism in China... Because of how Chinese people will go to the ghettos where black people live. And make uku money off of black people. But still be disrespectful to..."

Individual vs. Demographic: Moving beyond stereotypes

Gary: "I think it's always... Hope... It's up to every individual to decide who they are and what their community represents... you can't live according to those things. Because you'll miss out on opportunity... The smartest person. Because you've got this bias or something."

Unique Positioning: Gary's cultural bridge role

Gary: "I basically feel like I can be in almost any room. Even if I'm the only Asian... There's not that... Almost built-in trauma about me... Almost multi-generational trauma... If I was a white guy."

13. Family and Personal Relationships

Victory's Divorce: Recent life transition

Victory: "I recently, earlier this year, got a divorce... People are attracted to me for a lot of reasons, mostly because of music or a niche... But it's just, that level of trauma that he's been through throughout his life. Certain little things can trigger."

Family Ministry Tensions: Balancing family business with calling

Victory: "It gets weird with family. My family specifically. Because of the business interests too... I needed the ability to do what I'm supposed to do... I dipped out right before they blew up. To go start over."

Spiritual Family vs. Biological: Finding proper covering

Victory: "I had to find that family in Christ. That will empower me on my race... But I'm proud of them too because... I helped to raise my brothers and sisters."

14. End Times and Prophetic Perspective

Signs of the Times: Biblical framework for current events

Victory: "I definitely do because of what Jesus said about the signs of the times... But he said this will be the beginning of the end. Not the end per se... It's like nobody lives for a thousand years. So it's like on one hand you have to stay in a position of building sowing and reaping."

Expectancy vs. Preparation: Balanced approach to eschatology

Victory: "But on the other hand you have to do all of that with a sense of expectancy that he's coming so we have to live like it... So some people were like he'll come back tomorrow I don't need to go to work... That wasn't the instruction that Jesus gave."

15. US-China Relations and Gary's Unique Position

Personal Bridge Story: Family history creating unique positioning

Gary: "Part of my family story... I would not be born if your government did not kill thousands of people that look like me. During the Tiananmen Square Massacre... George H.W. Bush... worked with Nancy Pelosi to pass the Chinese Student Protection Act."

Educational Bridge Strategy: Using education to unite rather than divide

Gary: "The philosophy on education, on the future of schools that I... I'm championing... The School for Society Engineering... steeping the kids in a deep appreciation for the miracle of life... making sure the philosophical, scientific, communication, leadership, foundation is really good."

Strategic Positioning: Unique role in international relations

Gary: "In a lot of ways, I am the bridge. Or I'm one of the few bridges, between, the East and the West... we live in a very divided time. And I believe that, developing people that, even if they don't say that they're Christians, basically walk the Christian walk."

Strategic Implications

1. Ministry Platform Development

The day revealed potential for creating innovative Christian ministry platforms that combine:

• Established church infrastructure (Linda's facility)
• Artistic excellence (Victory's talent)
• Technology innovation (Gary's network and Dr. Alexander's capabilities)
• International bridge-building (Gary's unique positioning)

2. Alternative Funding Models

Discussion of patron-based ministry funding moving away from traditional label dependency toward direct community support through wealthy Christian benefactors.

3. Immersive Experience Innovation

Recognition that Christian ministry needs to innovate in experiential formats, moving beyond traditional services to compete with secular entertainment's emotional impact.

4. Cultural Bridge-Building

The conversation demonstrated potential for faith-based initiatives to bridge racial and cultural divides through shared spiritual values and mutual respect.

Notable Quotes

On Spiritual Transformation:

"We woke up the next morning, and it was as if everything in our lives had changed, and we were full of joy, and we couldn't stop. We couldn't wait to read our Bibles." - Linda Heidler

On Finding Spiritual Home:

"I feel like God... That's why God brought me here to Texas. That I wasn't gonna find in New York City." - Victory Boyd

On Educational Mission:

"Dr. Lael Alexander... The smartest man on Earth... Is a black man from rural Louisiana... Who's gonna have the highest impact on humanity." - Gary Sheng

On Ministry Through Brokenness:

"It wasn't unless I was broken... That I could find the treasure. It wasn't unless I was... In the bowels of the locals... Jesus... Planted this great treasure of resurrection... All the way down in the grave." - Victory Boyd

On Spiritual Warfare in Entertainment:

"The Bible says that when you, when an evil spirit leaves a man, if you don't, if he doesn't be refilled with the right spirit, demons seven times worse will come... That's what we're witnessing with Kanye." - Victory Boyd

On Bridge-Building:

"In a lot of ways, I am the bridge. Or I'm one of the few bridges, between, the East and the West." - Gary Sheng

On Divine Calling:

"God showed me... That he's going to take me to the top. Of the secular music industry. To tell my story." - Victory Boyd

On Technology and Ministry:

"It's time for these corporations to make money from Christians. There's like literally... How many? 3 billion? 4 billion? In the world?" - Gary Sheng

Assessment and Significance

This day-long interaction represents a significant convergence of ministry, technology, and artistic vision. The combination of Linda Heidler's established ministry platform, Victory Boyd's artistic calling and industry access, and Gary Sheng's strategic networks and international positioning creates potential for transformational kingdom initiatives.

The conversation reveals the tension between traditional ministry models and innovative approaches needed to reach contemporary culture. Victory's experience at Roc Nation and her search for sustainable Christian artistry parallels broader challenges facing faith-based creatives in secular industries.

Gary's unique positioning as a Chinese-American bridge-builder, combined with his access to both technological innovation (through Dr. Alexander) and international networks, creates unprecedented opportunities for kingdom advancement through educational and cultural initiatives.

The spiritual depth demonstrated by all participants, particularly Victory's theological sophistication and Linda's prophetic insight, suggests this network has the foundation necessary for significant kingdom impact beyond typical ministry or business ventures.