This is one of the most difficult and meaningful conversations Space for Life has ever held.

In this episode, host Tommy Thompson is joined by David Dwight, Senior Pastor at Hope Church Richmond, and Ray Paul, National Board Chair of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Together, they share deeply personal stories of losing close family members to suicide and reflect on what it means to grieve, to care for one another, and to hold hope in the midst of profound loss.

Listener discretion is advised. This is a heavy and sensitive topic, and we encourage you to listen at your own pace and with support if needed.

This conversation is rooted in lived experience, not theory. With honesty, compassion, and care, they explore:

• What makes suicide-related grief uniquely complex
• How to recognize warning signs and risk factors
• How to talk about suicide without shame, fear, or judgment
• The role of community, presence, and faith in healing
• How we can better support both those who are grieving and those who may be at risk

This episode is for anyone who has lost someone they love, is walking alongside someone who is struggling, or wants to learn how to respond with greater care and understanding in these moments.

Important Support Note

If you or someone you love is struggling or in crisis, help is available. In the United States, you can call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, to connect with trained counselors 24/7.

You are not alone.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to a Difficult Conversation

03:49 Personal Experiences with Suicide

11:27 Understanding Grief and Loss

24:08 The Complexity of Suicide

32:17 Statistics and Prevention Strategies

42:56 Navigating Conversations about Suicide

54:34 The Role of Community and Support

01:06:17 Faith and Understanding in Grief

01:14:35 Final Thoughts and Resources

Key Themes & Takeaways

• Suicide loss carries layers of grief that are often misunderstood
• Prevention and compassion must exist together
• Warning signs often show up as subtle changes in behavior or mood
• Asking direct questions and listening carefully can save lives
• Presence matters more than having the “right” words
• The way someone dies does not define the value or meaning of their life
• Healing often happens in community, not isolation

Resources Mentioned

• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
• https://afsp.org
• What to Do When Someone Is at Risk
• https://afsp.org/what-to-do-when-someone-is-at-risk/
• Risk Factors, Protective Factors, and Warning Signs
• https://afsp.org/risk-factors-protective-factors-and-warning-signs/
• Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.)
• Call or text 988

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In this episode of Space for Life, host Tommy Thompson is joined by Dan Allan, Executive Director at Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru), for a wide-ranging conversation about faith, renewal, and what’s unfolding across college campuses today.

Dan shares his personal journey in ministry, how The Chosen has become a powerful catalyst for gospel conversations, and why collaboration across ministries is essential in this moment. Together, they explore the surprising signs of spiritual hunger among Gen Z, the tension between retreat and revival, and why this season feels bigger than any single strategy or organization.

This episode offers clarity, encouragement, and real hope for anyone wondering what God may be doing in the next generation.

• God appears to be moving in a unique way among Gen Z
• The Chosen is reintroducing Jesus in a relational, accessible format
• Collaboration strengthens impact more than competition
• College campuses show both spiritual retreat and renewal
• Watch parties create natural entry points for faith conversations
• Prayer and presence matter more than polished strategies
• Rising spiritual hunger is supported by both stories and data

00:00 Introduction and global perspective

02:08 The impact of The Chosen

07:18 Dan Allan’s journey into ministry

16:52 Collaboration across Christian ministries

30:05 Gen Z, retreat, and revival on campus

54:10 Stories of faith and transformation

• The Chosen Watch Party Discussion Guides (free and publicly available)
• Contact Dan Allan: dan.alan@cru.org

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In this episode of Space for Life, host Tommy Thompson is joined by Dr. Wendi Lord, Vice President of Localization for the Come and See Foundation, the organization responsible for taking The Chosen to the world.

Wendi shares her journey from the corporate and publishing worlds into a calling that sits at the intersection of faith, technology, and human flourishing. The conversation explores the ambitious mission to translate The Chosen into 600 languages, the importance of delivering content in heart languages, and how emerging technologies like AI are being thoughtfully used to serve people who would otherwise never hear the story of Jesus.

Together, Tommy and Wendi wrestle with both the promise and the risks of new technologies, discussing how AI can support spiritual formation, creativity, and global connection without replacing human discernment, community, or God’s sovereignty. This episode offers a hopeful and grounded vision for engaging technology faithfully while staying rooted in what matters most.

• The mission of The Chosen and the Come and See Foundation
• Dr. Wendi Lord’s journey from corporate leadership to faith based work
• Why localization is more than translation
• The concept of heart languages and cultural relevance
• Reaching a billion people through technology and storytelling
• Using AI to support translation and lower resourced languages
• Opportunities and threats presented by emerging technologies
• Faith, discernment, and God’s sovereignty in a digital age
• Human flourishing in a technology driven world

(0:00) Introduction and Wendi’s Story

(4:34) From Corporate Leadership to Calling

(12:07) The Chosen and the Mission of Come and See

(18:15) Reaching a Billion People Through Story

(26:09) The Role of AI in Localization and Translation

(31:48) Speech to Speech Technology and Heart Languages

(39:31) Risks and Threats of Emerging Technologies

(49:14) Opportunities for Faith, Creativity, and Human Flourishing

(56:30) Balancing Technology With Human Connection

(1:05:49) Final Encouragement and Hope

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