Introducing the world to Jesus, one episode at a time.
The pillars of COME & SEE
MEET THE TEAM
James Barnett
James Barnett is the visionary behind DaySpring's remarkable journey to global leadership in Christian expressions. For 29 years, as president, he transformed a small partnership into a powerhouse, distributing over 200 million products worldwide. Beyond DaySpring, James authored "Blue Skies" and founded Mary & Martha. He resides in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, with his wife, Marilyn. They have three adult children, five grandchildren, and are active members of Fellowship Bible Church in Rogers, Arkansas.
Stan Jantz
As Global Ambassador, Stan Jantz leads Come and See in its mission to share the authentic Jesus with 1 billion people. After serving as president of one of the nation’s largest Christian bookstores, Stan began a writing career that has produced 75 books with more than 4 million copies sold. His latest title, released in 2021, is “The Healing Power of God: A Biblical Embrace of the Supernatural.”
Stan has also served in leadership roles with several Christian publishers and as president of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (EPCA), an international nonprofit trade organization of member companies that are involved in the publishing and distribution of Christian content worldwide.
For 24 years Stan has served on the board of trustees of Biola University, including a term as board chair. He and his wife, Karin, reside in Huntington Beach, California. They have two children.
Charles Ryan Dunham
Ryan is the Chief Operations Officer at the Come and See Foundation, with 30+ years of experience in nonprofit and for-profit roles. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Bowling Green State University and returns to Ohio each fall for "tractor therapy" during the harvest season.
Before joining Come and See, he most recently served as the CEO of an early-stage investment firm. He led the strategic development and structuring of company operations with approximately $150M in assets under management.
Ryan has spent most of his professional career in executive roles with organizations dedicated to resourcing the global Church for discipleship, worship, and evangelism. He spent 14 years as Vice President of Sales at Zondervan, a leading Christian Communications Company, where he was instrumental in launching resources like The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren, The Passion of Christ DVD, and the New International Version Bible Translation.
Ryan and his family moved from Grand Rapids, MI, to Colorado after he became Senior Vice President at David C Cook, a nonprofit publisher known for Sunday School curriculum. Later, he became President of Integrity Music, the leading worship music label, working with churches and worship leaders like Paul Baloche, Lincoln Brewster, and New Life Church. Ryan and his wife, Jodi, live in Colorado Springs, CO, with two adult sons.
Kira McCracken
As Vice President of Development for Come and See, Kira McCracken leads fundraising efforts and the development of donor relations. Kira has devoted her career to advancing faith-based nonprofit organizations through strategic fundraising. She joins the organization after 13 years at Biola University, where she served as associate vice president and spearheaded the largest comprehensive fundraising campaign in the institution’s history. Kira’s work at Biola also included leading the annual fund program, the alumni relations program, the President’s Circle giving society, fundraising events and galas, as well as donor stewardship, communications and marketing.
Kira and her husband, Brett, live in Orange County, California, with their three children.
Mike Kennedy
As Vice President of Marketing for Come and See, Mike Kennedy leads the implementation of the overall marketing strategy and development of brand awareness. Mike is passionate about telling stories that stir the soul and connect people with life-changing experiences that point them to Jesus.
For more than 25 years, Mike has led marketing and creative communications teams in the music, publishing, technology and nonprofit industries. Before joining Come and See, Mike served as the Global Story Director for Compassion International, managing a team of storytellers based in 30 countries. Mike also successfully launched a mobile app firm from the ground up with clients including Oprah Winfrey, KLOVE Radio Networks and Advertising Age.
While directing marketing efforts at NavPress and David C. Cook, Mike played a critical role in helping launch “The Message” Bible and developing audiences for authors including Francis Chan and his best-selling book, “Crazy Love.” In the early 2000s, he led the development of Dave Ramsey’s youth programs that continue to be utilized in thousands of schools and churches.
Mike lives in Colorado with his wife, Kim. They have two college-aged children.
Wendi Lord, PhD
Dr. Wendi Lord’s experience spans Fortune 50 to not-for-profit organizations, with a focus on translation in the technology sector. For many years, she has served in leadership roles across the Christian publishing and music industries, and in 2023, released her book Propel Your Potential: Learn to Flourish When You Have Enough but Don’t Feel Like Enough. Dr. Wendi collaborates with clients and firms nationwide to help people flourish at work and in life.
Wendi and her husband reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Rick Dempsey
Rick Dempsey holds a key consulting role at CAS as Sr Vice President of Creative and Global Localization. His primary responsibility is maintaining the creative consistency and integrity of our localization efforts, a crucial task as we work towards dubbing 'The Chosen' into 100 languages and providing subtitles in 600 languages. Rick collaborates closely with Wendi Lord, our international vendors, and our creative teams. Prior to joining CAS, Rick spent an impressive 35 years as SVP, Creative at The Walt Disney Company. He was a founding member and creative leader of Disney Character Voices, domestic and international, where he played a pivotal role in directing some of Hollywood's most prominent talent in their character portrayals. On the global stage, he led creative teams in translating and dubbing Disney, Pixar, Lucas and Marvel projects in up to 65 languages worldwide.
Outside of his professional endeavors, Rick and his wife, Kari, are active members of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, CA. Their family includes five children, 4 of whom are married, and are blessed with 9 grandchildren.