Who We Are

The Executive Leadership Institute is focused on developing a new generation of executive leaders for ministry and business.

We want to help leaders have a shepherd’s heart with organizational acumen.

Our Story

The Executive Leadership Institute focuses on developing a new generation of leaders for various sectors, including business and ministry. With extensive experience in both realms, Tom and Todd Lane understand the challenges leaders encounter in managing their personal lives and organizations. Their training emphasizes the practical aspects of leadership, such as operations and execution. Additionally, they prioritize the underlying values essential for effective and enduring leadership. Due to the unique nature of their approach, they began consulting with organizations, churches, and leaders seeking guidance. As demand grew, they expanded their services to include events and coaching sessions, culminating in the establishment of the Executive Leadership Institute.

Our DNA

Our goal is to empower leaders in any organization to serve both their communities and their professional roles effectively. We aim to assist leaders in cultivating a compassionate and knowledgeable approach to their work, leveraging their influence and demonstrating integrity and dedication in their actions. We start by focusing on the fundamental aspects of each individual's life. Just as a compromised foundation weakens a home, affecting its structure and value, our personal lives significantly impact our businesses, organizations, and ministries. At the Executive Leadership Institute, our emphasis is on nurturing leaders from the ground up, beginning with their emotional and spiritual well-being. Through group training and coaching sessions, we strive to support leaders in developing their abilities, fulfilling their calling, and serving their communities effectively.

Purpose

To help leaders develop their influence, gifts, calling and service through group learning, training, and coaching.

Mission

To raise healthy leaders who execute vision with integrity of heart and the skillfulness of their hands.

Approach

We build and develop leaders through instruction in our Leadership Academy, through Cohort learning groups, and through Coaching and Consulting.

Our Team

Tom Lane

Founder and Chief Content Officer

Todd Lane

Chief Executive Officer

Marilyn Wedige

Executive Assistant and Coordinator

Lindsay Huckins

Marketing and Social Media Director

Trusted by organizations of all sizes.

We get the opportunity to work with leaders of non-profits and organizations of all shapes and sizes. Check out what a few have to say about us.
As a business owner, and also called into ministry, I have been able to find a balance between leading my organization and being involved in ministry. A lot of the foundations shared have helped me lead my organization in a healthy way, and be able to serve the Lord.
ELI Cohort Attendee
No matter what kind of background you come from, whether you're in business, if you're in ministry, if you're the CEO of a company, this is for you... It has blessed me in many different ways to be able to come to a safe environment, to open up, and to learn and grow.
ELI Cohort Attendee
I'm here because I want to learn leadership development, governmental foundation of churches, how to build, develop, recognize leadership qualities in people.
ELI Cohort Attendee
We were really looking forward to getting some understanding from Pastor Tom and Pastor Todd about what a thriving relationship, and functioning relationship, between Senior Pastor and Executive Pastor looks like.
ELI Cohort Attendee
There was a lot to learn from the dybnamics of ther elationship wiht the senior pastor, to understanding all the dynamics that happen financially, and with all the different ministries. I learned a lot and am coming away with a lot more confidnece in the job I can do.
ELI Cohort Attendee
If you are a senior leader, or even executive leader wanting to know how to grow in your role, or a senior leader looking for that role, this is the place to come. It's also a great opportunity if you're a senior leader looking for your executive leader and chief of staff to grow together.
ELI Cohort Attendee
I learned so much during the last couple of days. And I'm grateful because everything that was taught had a story that I could directly relate to my job, what I'm doing, and my household.
Tonya Willingham
ELI Cohort Attendee
My expectations for this last day and a half, absolutely they were blown away! I got so much out of it... I'm very excited to bring back everything I learned here.
ELI Cohort Attendee
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Your leadership journey begins today. Let us help you navigate this adventure.

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Tom Lane

Founder & Chief Content Officer

Tom Lane began his career in business. He spent five years working in a residential Plumbing, Heating & Cooling business owned by his father-in-law. He then worked for seven years as a regional sales Representative for his dad’s wholesale paper distribution company based in the mid-west with 13 locations from Montana to Texas.

In 1982, he made a shift to vocational ministry and served as executive senior pastor both at Trinity Fellowship Church in Amarillo, Texas (22 years), and Gateway Church (18 years) in Southlake, Texas. Throughout his more than 40 years of vocational ministry he has held many different roles including: business administrator, administrative pastor, executive pastor, executive senior pastor, senior pastor, and executive director.

Whether leading in business, ministry, or in his family Tom has lived his life to be the greatest influence for God and to impact people. He has always known that influence affects leadership at home or work.

Tom has written many leadership books including Tested and Approved, Heritage: A Father’s Influence to the Generations, Influence of a Father, Healthy Church Government, He Still Speaks, He Still Speaks to Kids, Strong Women and the Men Who Love Them, and Letters from a Dad to a Graduate. He has also written articles for Ministry Today. Tom and his
 wife, Jan, have been happily married since 1972 and have 4 married children and 15 grandchildren.

Todd Lane

Chief Executive Officer

Todd Lane began his business career with a multi-national corporation who provided outsourced customer services. He developed through corporate management while moving across the United States and New Zealand. During his tenure in the corporate sector, he also served in several churches in the areas of youth ministry, worship, and small groups.

He transitioned to vocational ministry in 2002 as the first Business Administrator of Gateway Church. Over the following 20 years of ministry, he has led the development of business operations, new ministry launches, the methodology behind extension campuses, and guided overall staff alignment and implementation of the church vision. He has led small groups, taught classes, and has spoken at various churches, conferences, seminars, and events. He has also served as an elder of the church.

Todd holds a business administration degree in finance from Baylor University. He and his wife, Blynda have been married since 1995, and have three young adult children: Olivia, Harrison, and Evelyn.

Marilyn Wedige

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT AND COORDINATOR

Marilyn Wedige serves as the Executive Assistant to Tom Lane and Coordinator for the Executive Leadership Institute. She and her husband Mike moved to Texas in 2013. She has served as Pastor Tom’s assistant since 2017. Marilyn is honored to serve in assisting the ELI to help leaders develop a: healthy lifestyle, enriched spiritual walk, and tools to increase their success and influence.

Marilyn was blessed in being raised in a godly Christian home and church. She graduated from Oral Roberts University with a double major in mathematics and computer science. Due to her husband Mike’s advancement in corporate management, they have had the privilege of serving in many churches across the United States and in New Zealand. Together they have led many small groups as well as served in prayer and youth ministries. Marilyn has led and taught in women’s and youth Bible studies as well as volunteered and tutored in her children’s schools.

Marilyn and Mike have been happily married since 1985 and together they have 3 children of which 2 are married, and 2 grandchildren. One of Marilyn’s greatest joys is serving her family.

Step 1 of 7

This assessment is intended to give you an understanding of the emotional and spiritual health of your life. First think through each question and determine a quick placement on Health Indicator Scale (ranging from Never to Always.) This assessment is only as credible as the authenticity of the answers. Your first instinct is usually the most honest and accurate response. Most leaders are inclined to post the “best answer” but we want honest, raw, and vulnerable responses to these questions.

In the box to the right place the number from 1-5 that best describes your feeling today. Tally each section and place the numeric score on the total line for each category. Add the tallied scores from each section to get the overall total score.

Health Indicator Scale (HIS):

Select the appropriate answer for each question.

Each answer has a numeric value from 1-5 based on these indicators:

1 - Never    2- Seldom    3 - Ocassionally    4 - Often    5 - Always