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.

What does it look like to grow as a leader when you didn’t set out to be one? In this episode of How He’s Building This, Pastor Jeff Baker of New Life Church (Kearney • North Platte • Ogallala • Holdrege, Nebraska) shares his journey from a life of brokenness into a life of leadership—one shaped by humility, failure, and an ongoing desire to learn. Jeff reflects on the painful moment of being fired early in ministry and how it became a turning point in understanding what leadership really requires. He opens up about learning to ask questions, embracing the “second seat,” and how confidence balanced with humility became a key leadership principle.

Jeff also shares insights on leadership transitions, accountability, and building a leadership culture that multiplies. From launching a “leadership pipeline” to making the tough calls needed to break through growth ceilings, Jeff shares what it means to lead with vision and faith while taking steps toward leaving a legacy that outlasts your own leadership.

From Kabul to Omaha, Erin Jensen’s journey as a leader didn’t begin with a five-year plan or a business strategy—it began with a simple yes to God. In this episode, Erin shares how her calling unfolded through a series of Spirit-led steps, starting with a dance studio she launched in Afghanistan to bring light to one of the darkest places in the world. What started as a small act of encouragement quickly became a form of ministry and healing, especially for young girls coming out of devastating circumstances. Erin opens up about the tension of stepping away from a nursing career, how she battled doubts from others—and herself—and how she saw God move in unexpected ways.

Now the founder of Bloom Dance Studio in Omaha, Erin leads a growing team that serves over 1,500 young dancers. But the transition from doing everything herself to delegating and empowering others hasn’t been easy. Erin reflects on what it looks like to lead through pressure, trust God through rapid growth, and continue to infuse ministry into her work, even when it might feel out of place in the business world. Her story is a compelling reminder that when we follow God’s lead—even through uncertain territory—He builds something bigger than we ever imagined.

Learn more about Erin’s studio here: https://danceatbloom.com/

When Ronnie Rothe moved back to his Nebraska roots in 2008 to plant Relevant Community Church in the Omaha area, he had a vision that went beyond just starting a church. Early on, Ronnie wrestled with his own ambitions, shifting from a desire for personal recognition to a deep commitment to being known by his church and helping his church be known for raising up the next generation for Jesus. From those humble beginnings – starting with a small launch team and uncertain outcomes – to becoming a church where thousands have placed their faith in Jesus, Ronnie's journey has been one of faith, growth, and hard lessons in leadership. He shares about the challenges of starting something from scratch, the moments that tested his calling, and the humble gratitude that comes from seeing lives transformed by the Gospel.

Ronnie also offers powerful insights into leadership, including the importance of continually growing as a leader, the transformative role of failure, and the challenges of letting go to allow others to lead. He talks about the critical shift from finding significance in people's opinions to rooting his identity in being a child of God – a lesson that reshaped his approach to both ministry and leadership. Whether you're a leader in ministry or simply someone looking to live a life of purpose and impact, this conversation will both challenge and inspire you.

In this episode of How He’s Building This, Dr. Zach Kassebaum joins Stan Parker to share the leadership journey that has shaped his past nine years as Superintendent of Lincoln Christian School—and what’s next as he steps into a new calling. Zach reflects on the spiritual battles facing today’s educational spaces and his passion to lead with unwavering commitment to God’s truth. He talks candidly about the sacrifices leadership demands, how God prepared him for a healthy transition, and the power of developing new leaders who will carry the mission forward.

Throughout their conversation, Zach offers hard-won wisdom on building a sustainable leadership culture, the importance of absolute clarity around mission and values, and the emotional cost—and reward—of standing firm in Christ-centered leadership. Whether you’re leading a school, a ministry, or a family, you’ll find real encouragement in Zach’s story about building something lasting, letting God define success, and trusting Him through every decision, transition, and challenge.

Dissatisfaction + Vision + Belief + Influence + Sacrifice + Brokenness = spirit led leadership

Discontent + vision + influence + sacrifice + brokenness = spirit led leadership