In this episode of the Rooted Podcast, we sit down with Ross Allen, President of Bethel University in Minnesota, to explore what it means to lead with faith, presence, and trust in God—without hurry.

Ross shares his remarkable journey through global leadership, crisis management, and higher education, reflecting on how God shaped his leadership through seasons of uncertainty, international living, and spiritual surrender. From learning cultural humility overseas to discovering the spiritual discipline of rest, Ross challenges the American obsession with busyness and invites listeners into a deeper, more rooted way of living and leading.

Together, we discuss why rest is holy, how leadership flows from abiding with God, and why remembering that this is God’s work—not ours changes everything.

This conversation is an encouragement for students, leaders, pastors, and anyone longing to live faithfully without burnout.

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00:00 – Introduction to Ross Allen and his leadership journey

02:30 – From corporate leadership to higher education

05:40 – Crisis leadership and learning to trust God’s direction

09:20 – Running for God’s glory: faith shaping leadership decisions

13:45 – Surrendering control and letting God lead

18:10 – Living and leading across cultures around the world

22:40 – How international life reshaped faith and perspective

27:50 – Yosemite, surrender, and learning to let God be God

30:00 – What Americans overlook about work, pace, and presence

33:30 – Cultural honesty, communication, and humility

35:10 – Busyness, burnout, and the neuroscience of stress

37:20 – Why rest is holy and Jesus was never rushed

38:45 – Leadership through presence and personal connection

40:00 – “It’s God’s work, not ours”

41:20 – Eliminating hurry and abiding with Christ

42:30 – Final encouragement: what it means to be truly rooted

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1. “God doesn’t need me to glorify Him—He will glorify Himself.”
2. “This isn’t my ministry. It’s God’s work.”
3. “Rest is not lazy. Rest is holy.”
4. “Jesus was never rushed, even when urgency surrounded Him.”
5. “We sacrifice ourselves on the altar of ministry and think God will honor that.”
6. “Our identity isn’t in what we accomplish—it’s in Him.”
7. “Leadership begins with presence, not productivity.”
8. “Busyness can distract us from God just as much as sin.”
9. “When you let go, God takes over.”
10. “Abiding with Christ changes how you lead and how you live.”

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• Book: Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer

• Biblical References:
• Psalm 23 (rest, quiet waters)

• Spiritual Practices:
• Silent solo retreats
• Sabbath rest
• Abiding with Christ

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Support: https://bio.site/rootedtoprosper

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