In this episode of How He’s Building This, we sit down with Pastor Rick Lorimer, lead pastor of Christ Place Church in Lincoln, for a candid and deeply personal conversation about leadership that lasts. From his early days as a bold high school believer to his decades of ministry experience, Rick shares how God has shaped his understanding of spiritual leadership—not through ambition or success, but through character, humility, and seasons of brokenness.

Rick opens up about painful turning points, burnout, and moments of recalibration that taught him to value presence with God over performance for God. Along the way, he offers hard-won wisdom on staying grounded, building accountability, and leading from a place of authenticity. Whether you’re a pastor, leader, or someone who simply wants to grow in your walk with Christ, this conversation will remind you that God does His best building work—inside before outside.

In this episode of How He’s Building This, Stan Parker sits down with Keith Becker, founder and ministry director of the Todd Becker Foundation. Keith shares the life-changing story of losing his brother Todd in a tragic accident and the way God used a persistent pastor to lead him to faith in Christ. Out of that heartbreak came a calling—to spend his life pointing others to Jesus. Over the past 20 years, Keith and his team have shared Todd’s story and the hope of the gospel with more than 150,000 students in over 1,000 public schools nationwide.

Keith also reflects on the leadership lessons he’s learned along the way—from early failures and unhealthy ambition to discovering what it means to lead with humility, health, and eternal perspective. He unpacks why “less is more” has become a guiding principle in his ministry, how health matters more than size, and the qualities he looks for in young leaders who want to be discipled. Keith’s story is a powerful reminder that God builds His kingdom through surrendered lives, one conversation and one step of faith at a time.

In this episode of How He’s Building This, Stan Parker talks with Ellen Miller, founder and executive director of A Latere Academy—a unique hybrid school model that supports families choosing to educate at home. What began as a God-given dream in the middle of burnout has grown into a thriving ministry serving 300 families and 600 students across five campuses in Nebraska and Illinois, with a dedicated team of 85 staff members. Ellen shares how her personal struggles became the foundation for her calling, launching A Latere with 75 students and 14 staff in its first year, and how her “secret sauce” is simple but powerful—letting Jesus lead and surrounding herself with the right people.

Ellen opens up about the lessons she’s learned in leadership—from building a strong, well-rounded team to navigating criticism and leading from a place of health. She shares the FLO qualities she looks for in leaders (Flexible, Learner, Owner) and the importance of passion for Jesus and discipling the next generation. Along the way, Ellen offers encouragement for young leaders to seek counsel, know their vulnerabilities, and trust God’s timing.