About The Episode
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.
Insights From Heiden
- Your Story Matters More Than You Know
Heiden didn’t grow up in church. In fact, his first time experiencing worship felt more like karaoke than a spiritual moment. But that awkward beginning led to a life-changing encounter with Jesus. It’s a reminder that God can use any background to build something meaningful. - Calling Starts with Hunger
Heiden’s call to ministry didn’t start with a plan—it started with curiosity, hunger, and obedience. His three words to discern calling? Aspiration, Affirmation, and Confirmation. You don’t have to have it all figured out, but you do need to be faithful to take the next step. - Don’t Plant a Church You Don’t Like
One of the most honest truths Heiden shares is that there were seasons when he and his wife didn’t like the church they planted. It took time, intentional leadership, and cultural clarity to build a church that reflected their vision—and that they genuinely enjoyed. - Clarity Protects Culture
Early in Walk Church’s journey, Heiden made quick hires based on passion and gifting. But over time, he learned that alignment > assignment. Cultural fit and shared values are crucial for long-term health. Now, he’s slower to give out titles and faster to ask: “Do we enjoy doing life together?” - It’s Okay If Your Church Isn’t for Everyone
“We’re open to everyone, but not for everyone.” That mindset helped Heiden let go of people-pleasing and embrace the unique DNA of Walk Church. Helping people find the right church—even if it’s not yours—is a kingdom win. - Leadership Must Be Active, Not Passive
Busyness can become a substitute for bold leadership. Heiden challenged leaders to stop avoiding hard conversations and start initiating them with grace and clarity. Leadership isn’t about keeping the peace—it’s about building a healthy culture. - Move to Two Services Sooner Than You Think
Launching a second service wasn’t just a logistics move—it was a culture shift. It gave volunteers a chance to serve and worship, created breathing room, and added value to leaders like Heiden’s wife, Nina, who was faithfully leading in kids ministry every week. - Sundays Are a New Chance Every Week
One of Heiden’s favorite things about church planting? You get another shot every week. Tweak it. Improve it. Try again. Don’t lose hope—just keep building.
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 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!
Our goal with the Ascent Leader and our church planting cohorts is to help church planters win early and finish strong. We want to resource you so that you can avoid common pitfalls and simple mistakes. Being involved in a community of leaders like our church planting cohorts is one of the best ways to wrestle through these questions. We’re here to help you, if we can be of assistance to you please feel free to reach out.
Contact our team: ops@theascentleader.org
Subscribe now on your favorite podcast app
Take Your Leadership to New Heights
The Ascent equips you to lean into your God-given leadership potential.
Cohorts offer you the chance to go deeper with a small circle of peers and professional mentors so you can elevate your expertise and grow your confidence as a leader.
Learn more about upcoming cohorts by clicking below.