In this episode of the Unfair Advantage, we’re hearing from Heiden Ratner—former Division I basketball player turned church planter in Las Vegas, Nevada. Heiden shares his powerful journey from chasing purpose on the basketball court to finding deeper fulfillment through faith in Jesus. With honesty and wisdom, he unpacks what it means to lead a church you actually like, the importance of team alignment over talent, and how clarity in leadership creates healthy culture. Whether you’re planting a church or leading a ministry team, this conversation is packed with encouragement, practical tools, and reminders that God is able to do more than we could ask or imagine.

Welcome to Episode 036 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.

EPISODE LINKS

https://www.heidenratner.com/

Do ministry together! Three gatherings, nine planters, one cohesive journey. Check out the Ascent Leader Church Planter Cohorts. Get more information today at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/ 

WHO IS HEIDEN RATNER?

Heiden is the husband to Neena Ratner and the father of their four boys, Epaph (9), Asa (6), Heiden Jr. (4), and Lion (2). He serves as the Sr. Pastor of WALK Church in Las Vegas, NV where he preaches regularly. Along with pastoring, Heiden serves as the Las Vegas City Missionary for the church planting network Send Network. Heiden has a passion and calling for sports ministry and he has the honor of serving the NFL Las Vegas Raiders and the WNBA Las Vegas Aces as their Team Chaplain.

SPONSORS

Thanks to our sponsor: Generis.

A generous church is a healthy, growing church. So, if you're ready to advance your mission, visit Generis.com/getstarted today!

In this episode of The Unfair Advantage, host David Hibiske sits down with church planter Raymond Hudson to discuss his journey of planting a church in Berkeley, California—one of the most challenging places to reach with the gospel. Raymond shares how his early experiences in church planting shaped his calling, the challenges of launching during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the importance of loving and serving a city rather than trying to "fix" it. He also offers key insights on leadership development, team building, and financial sustainability for church planters. His story is a powerful testament to faith, adaptability, and the impact of a deeply embedded, service-oriented church.

Welcome to Episode 035 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.

EPISODE LINKS

https://www.ourcitycenter.com/

Do ministry together! Three gatherings, nine planters, one cohesive journey. Check out the Ascent Leader Church Planter Cohorts. Get more information today at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/ 

WHO IS RAYMOND HUDSON?

Raymond Hudson is a dedicated leader with over 15 years of experience in ministry, education, and community development. He has passionately served in various pastoral roles, focusing on creating welcoming spaces where people of all backgrounds can grow in their faith, discover their purpose, and impact their communities. In addition to his ministry work, Raymond has led numerous initiatives in education, partnering with schools to support underserved families, championing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, and mentoring educators to foster culturally responsive classrooms. His heart for empowering others is evident in his work, where he consistently prioritizes equity, collaboration, and innovation to help individuals and organizations thrive. Raymond has been married to his wife Rachel for 17 years, and together, they are the proud parents of four amazing children. As a family, they are deeply committed to faith, service, and creating meaningful connections with those around them. Raymond’s leadership is guided by his passion for helping people maximize their potential, both spiritually and practically, to make a lasting impact in their communities.

SPONSORS

Thanks to our sponsor: Generis.

A generous church is a healthy, growing church. So, if you're ready to advance your mission, visit Generis.com/getstarted today!

In this episode of The Unfair Advantage Podcast, host David Hibiske welcomes back Sean Sears, a seasoned church planter from New England. Sean shares his powerful journey of balancing ministry with family life, including the lessons he learned after nearly losing his marriage during the early years of church planting. He offers profound insights into finding identity in Christ rather than ministry success, setting boundaries to prioritize family, and building healthy leadership that reflects God’s love. This honest and vulnerable conversation is packed with wisdom for planters navigating the challenges of ministry, family, and personal growth.

Welcome to Episode 034 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.

EPISODE LINKS

https://thatsgrace.org

Do ministry together! Three gatherings, nine planters, one cohesive journey. Check out the Ascent Leader Church Planter Cohorts. Get more information today at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/ 

WHO IS SEAN SEARS?

Sean and Billie started Grace Church with their spiritually disconnected neighbors in the Fall of 2005. They sent out their first church plant in 2009 when they were only running 85 people in weekly attendance. Grace Church has launched a total of 11 other churches with 3 more coming in the next 9 months. Last weekend, 3000+ people attended one of Grace Church’s 4 locations with no ethnic demographic larger than 45%.

SPONSORS

Thanks to our sponsor: Generis.

A generous church is a healthy, growing church. So, if you're ready to advance your mission, visit Generis.com/getstarted today!

In this episode of The Unfair Advantage, David Hibiske dives into three critical societal and church leadership conversations shaping the landscape in 2025. He unpacks the "Negative World Concept," the breakdown of the home and family, and the return to prayer and revival stirrings. This episode is a must-listen for church planters and leaders eager to navigate current challenges and seize opportunities for impactful ministry.

Welcome to Episode 033 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with Mike Hickerson and David Hibiske.

EPISODE LINKS

Life in the Negative World, by Aaron Renn

Episode 20 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast: "Parenting and Planting"

The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

John Tyson’s Pray.NYC initiative

Episode 23 of The Unfair Advantage: "Five Bold Convictions on Prayer for Every Church Planter"

Do ministry together! Three gatherings, nine planters, one cohesive journey. Check out the Ascent Leader Church Planter Cohorts. Get more information today at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/ 

WHO IS DAVID HIBISKE?

David Hibiske is the Pastor of Strategic Ministry Initiatives at Saddleback Church, located in Lake Forest, CA. He’s a husband, dad of three amazing kids, and on his time off he loves backpacking and exploring outdoors. Prior to Saddleback he was able to be a part of two church plants, and is passionate about helping ministry leaders reach their potential.

SPONSORS

Thanks to our sponsor: Generis.

A generous church is a healthy, growing church. So, if you're ready to advance your mission, visit Generis.com/getstarted today!

In this episode of The Unfair Advantage, Sean welcomes Tyler Scott (CPC in Danville, CA), James Grogan (East Lake in Southern California), and Danny Strange (Three Crosses, Northern California) to explore the steps toward becoming a multiplying church. The discussion emphasizes the "crawl, walk, run" approach to church planting, sharing practical insights from each leader's experience. From embracing self-awareness and addressing organizational challenges to cultivating outward-focused leadership and partnerships, this episode is packed with actionable strategies for pastors and church leaders eager to impact their communities and beyond.

Welcome to Episode 032 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with today’s guest host, Sean Morgan!

EPISODE LINKS

Exponential Conferences: Exponential

Do ministry together! Three gatherings, nine planters, one cohesive journey. Check out the Ascent Leader Church Planter Cohorts. Get more information today at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/ 

WHO IS TYLER SCOTT?

Tyler serves as Lead Pastor at CPC (Community Presbyterian Church) in Danville. Tyler gets to pastor the church that he grew up in! He is a graduate of De La Salle High School, UCLA (B.A.), Pepperdine University (M.B.A.), and Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.). Tyler has served as a pastor at CPC since 2012. Tyler has been married to Bridget for 18 years. She’s an amazing wife, mom, and friend (and chiropractor). Together, they have three bold boys--Trevor (15), Owen (13) and Cole (11). 

WHO IS JAMES GROGAN?

James is the Lead Pastor at Eastlake Church, a growing movement of churches founded in Chula Vista, CA, which includes several locations in Southern California and Tijuana, Mexico. James is also a catalyst leader of the San Diego Church Plant Movement. He has worked in full-time local church ministry for over 25 years, with the last 19 spent on staff at Eastlake Church. James and his wife Rebecca have been married for 24 years and have 3 children of their own and have also served as foster parents for a few amazing children.

WHO IS DANNY STRANGE?

Danny Strange is currently beginning his third year as Senior Pastor of 3Crosses, a diverse church in the SF Bay Area (3crosses.org). Prior to serving as Senior Pastor, Danny spent 19 years on staff at 3Crosses, serving in various capacities since 2000. Born and raised in the East Bay, Danny currently lives in Castro Valley with his wife Jessica and six children (Jackson 14, Carter 12, Hudson 11, Brady 8, Harper 6 and Peyton 6).

SPONSORS

Thanks to our sponsor: Generis.

A generous church is a healthy, growing church. So, if you're ready to advance your mission, visit Generis.com/getstarted today!

Only four weeks post-launch, Jake and Kaelia open up about the joys and challenges of planting Create Church in an urban setting of San Diego. They share personal stories of faith, resilience, and the community that has rallied around them during both triumphant and painful times. This conversation covers the practicalities of church planting, lessons in leadership, and the importance of community support, making it an insightful listen for church planters and leaders alike.

Welcome to Episode 031 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with today’s guest host, Sean Morgan!

EPISODE LINKS

Visit Create Church to learn more about Jake and Kaelia’s work in San Diego.

Follow Jake and Kaelia on Instagram for updates: @JakeVayda and @kaekae_janae.

Do ministry together! Three gatherings, nine planters, one cohesive journey. Check out the Ascent Leader Church Planter Cohorts. Get more information today at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/ 

WHO ARE JAKE AND KAELIA?

Jake and Kaelia are passionate about creating spaces of connection that help people act on their good intentions. As the lead pastors of Create Church in San Diego’s Arts District, they recently celebrated one of the largest grand openings in urban San Diego’s history. Their fresh approach to Christianity, currently being developed into a curriculum, resonates with a new generation by blending new language with holistic integration. Their vision of connection extends beyond the church through their real estate company, where they craft beautiful spaces for people to gather, grow, and feel at home. When they’re not creating spaces, you’ll find them on long walks, exploring open houses, or relaxing with the latest Dolby movie (reclining seats baby!). Jake and Kaelia both earned degrees from Point Loma University; Jake holds a Master’s in Ministry, while Kaelia earned a Bachelor’s in Christian Studies.

SPONSORS

Thanks to our sponsor: Generis.

A generous church is a healthy, growing church. So, if you're ready to advance your mission, visit Generis.com/getstarted today!

In this episode, we explore the power of intentional church calendar planning to build momentum and maximize impact in your ministry. Your church calendar can be one of your greatest assets, but too often, we miss out on growth opportunities by failing to plan ahead or aligning our teams with our strategy.

Welcome to Episode 030 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with Mike Hickerson and David Hibiske.

EPISODE LINKS

• UA28 - Align Your Ministry Plan to Your Vision
• UA23 - Setting the Tone for a Great Weekend Experience

Do ministry together! Three gatherings, nine planters, one cohesive journey. Check out the Ascent Leader Church Planter Cohorts. Get more information today at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/ 

WHO IS DAVID HIBISKE?

David Hibiske is the Pastor of Strategic Ministry Initiatives at Saddleback Church, located in Lake Forest, CA. He’s a husband, dad of three amazing kids, and on his time off he loves backpacking and exploring outdoors. Prior to Saddleback he was able to be a part of two church plants, and is passionate about helping ministry leaders reach their potential.

SPONSORS

Thanks to our sponsor: Generis.

A generous church is a healthy, growing church. So, if you're ready to advance your mission, visit Generis.com/getstarted today!

Don’t underestimate the power of a two-year-old church. Today’s conversation with Lenny Barber, Pastor and planter of The House Church in Ferguson, MO, reminds us of the importance of pastors’ spiritual health and purity of motives in planting. Discover how Pastor Lenny continues to build up a church with multicultural intentionality to welcome people into a space that reflects the diversity of their city.

Welcome to Episode 029 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with Mike Hickerson and David Hibiske.

EPISODE LINKS

@Lenny.Barber

Do ministry together! Three gatherings, nine planters, one cohesive journey. Check out the Ascent Leader Church Planter Cohorts. Get more information today at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/ 

WHO IS LENNY BARBER?

Lenny and Jennie met in Dallas and have been married for 20 years. They have four children – Aidyn 18, Leigh 16, Mykah 15, and Cross 12. They have been in ministry for over 25 years and are passionate about seeing communities transformed by the love of Jesus. Lenny was born and raised in St. Louis, and spent much of his time in and around Ferguson. After living in Texas for a few years, God called them back to St. Louis for full-time ministry. Lenny has worked in every area of St. Louis, from inner city to outskirt suburbs. But his heart has remained in the area where he grew up. They launched The House Church in 2022. They have a desire to see God’s people break down the walls of the church, figuratively, by being the church to those who may never step foot into the building. They have a strong conviction to impact the kingdom through discipleship; training and teaching believers to be leaders in their neighborhoods and community.

SPONSORS

Thanks to our sponsor: Generis.

A generous church is a healthy, growing church. So, if you're ready to advance your mission, visit Generis.com/getstarted today!

“We’re not after control…we’re after a common goal.” In today’s episode, David Hibiske guides us through eight steps of aligning your ministry after you’ve launched. It’s one thing to be busy, and it can be an entirely different thing to be effective. We’re reminded in today’s episode that we’re not after busyness, but we’re after traction in our mission. Listen in for a ton of practical questions to ask each step of the way and helpful tools to get your ministry in alignment after you’ve launched.

Welcome to Episode 028 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with Mike Hickerson and David Hibiske.

EPISODE LINKS

The Advantage, by Patrick Lencioni

Good to Great, by Jim Collins

Do ministry together! Three gatherings, nine planters, one cohesive journey. Check out the Ascent Leader Church Planter Cohorts. Get more information today at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/ 

WHO IS DAVID HIBISKE?

David Hibiske is the Pastor of Strategic Ministry Initiatives at Saddleback Church. He grew up in Wilmington, NC before moving to Fort Worth, TX to attend Southwestern Seminary. David met his wife, Kendall, while in Seminary and they have two daughters, Ella and Avery, and one son, Andrew. After completing his Master of Divinity, David and Kendall moved to San Jose, CA to join the staff team at South Bay Church (now Echo Church). In 2022, God called them to head to Southern California and join the team at Saddleback Church where David now serves as Pastor of Strategic Ministry Initiatives. 

SPONSORS

Thanks to our sponsor: Generis.

A generous church is a healthy, growing church. So, if you're ready to advance your mission, visit Generis.com/getstarted today!

“If you feel like you have to choose, choose your family.” Coaching plays a crucial role in the success of your leadership. Today, we’re hearing from Ben Pilgreen and Ernest Smith as they discuss the ways coaching impacted more than the health of their churches…it has contributed to the health of their families. 

Welcome to Episode 027 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with Mike Hickerson and David Hibiske.

EPISODE LINKS

Do ministry together! Three gatherings, nine planters, one cohesive journey. Check out the Ascent Leader Church Planter Cohorts. Get more information today at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/ 

WHO IS BEN PILGREEN?

Ben Pilgreen is the founder and lead pastor of Epic Church in San Francisco, CA. Ben loves coaching leaders, whether in church or in business. Ben is the host of the Bring It Out podcast. Ben and his wife, Shauna, have four wonderful children and make their home in San Francisco. Read more at benpilgreen.com.

WHO IS ERNEST SMITH?

Ernest Smith didn’t grow up in the church, but when he was finally introduced to Jesus, he has sought to serve the Church ever since. He was on staff at Seacoast Church for over 15 years, where he led many ministries including Students, Family Ministry, College Ministry and Campus Pastor. In addition, Ernest was on the teaching team and a part of the executive team. During this same time, Ernest completed two master’s degrees and started his Doctorate of Ministry at Liberty University, which he finished in 2019. In 2013, Ernest and his family moved from Charleston, SC to Castle Rock, CO to start Front Range Church. Ernest has the honor of serving as the lead pastor of Front Range and getting to lead a great team of staff and volunteers toward reaching and impacting the community. He also serves as president of a mission’s organization called Bread of Life Mission and is an associate at The Slingshot Group. He has a great passion to help church leaders and teams establish healthy rhythms, create, and execute vision and develop leaders that will impact their ministry, church and community. Ernest has been married to his best friend, Sara, for 20 years and together they have two incredible kids, Wyatt and Waverly. In addition, their house is inhabited by a Yorkie (Pearl) and a French Bulldog (Winston). Together, the family loves to travel, play games and cheer on the Georgia Bulldogs.

SPONSORS

Thanks to our sponsor: Generis.

A generous church is a healthy, growing church. So, if you're ready to advance your mission, visit Generis.com/getstarted today!