The Unfair Advantage

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.

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.

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.