Meet the Team

Lesley Russell is the Founder of EQUIP 210 and Next Generation Ministries dba Independent Learning Academy (ILA). ILA is a K-12 parent-choice homeschool educational model with over 1,200 students and three locations, two in southern California, and one in Meridian, Idaho. For the past 11 years, ILA has been pioneering and innovating education and has been the leading alternate education movement in southern California with thousands of K-12th grade students having attended with many of their graduating seniors receiving Trustee and Presidential Scholarships. Many of the ILA graduates also start their own companies, join the mission field, or serve in various military branches. They are truly world changers

Lesley and her husband, Joe, are originally from NY and have been married for 30 years. They have four children who are either currently attending ILA, are now in their careers of choice, or in graduate school programs. They all loved their homeschool educational experience through the Independent Learning Academy.  Lesley is so excited to be serving in the role as Senior Advisor Equipping Specialist training local auxiliary teams in leadership and continuing to innovate and reinvent education.

Lesley received her Bachelor of Arts in English from Gettysburg College and a Master’s in Secondary Education from Manhattanville College. She taught middle school Language Arts in NY before starting her own family. Lesley has been a homeschool mom of 22 years and has worked to develop various teaching pedagogies for children’s various learning styles that have been implemented over the years at ILA. She is excited to step into the calling that she has received from the Lord to equip the next generation of children to walk in the masterpiece of their individual Kingdom identity and the calling that He has for them. As the Lord leads, she is excited to bring the EQUIP 2:10 educational model and movement to other communities and states. EQUIP 2:10 Integrated Auxiliaries are available for churches to start to raise up and influence the next generation of children for Christ.

Heather Sorenson has been with Next Generation Ministries, dba Independent Learning Academy “ILA” for the past 4 years. She was first introduced to homeschooling when her oldest was in kindergarten. That following year, 2020, she became the Director for the Orange County ILA Campus and that following spring was called to move to Texas. She continued doing admin for all ILA campuses and in January of 2022, stepped into the position of Executive Director. Heather is looking forward to her new role at EQUIP 210 as the Equipping Specialist  for Director of Training.

Heather has her degree in Child and Adolescent Development from California State University, Fullerton, and her certification in Montessori Education from UC Irvine. She worked for the City of Anaheim for 10 years as a recreation and community Services Director. She has worked in education for the past 23 years in both Private and Christian Schools and also worked as a Conference Coordinator for a best-selling Christian author. She loves organization, planning, and helping things run behind the scenes.

Heather is a born and raised SoCal girl, who was raised in a small Mountain town. She loves the outdoors, all things Fall, water sports, baking, reading next to a fire, and has a strong heart for bringing community together. Heather, her husband Drew, and their two children currently reside in Dallas, TX. and they are loving the adventure God has them on.

Kimberley has been with Next Generation Ministries dba Independent Learning Academy (ILA) for the past 11 years. Kimberley and her husband, Colin, were shocked when the Lord called their family to start homeschooling when her oldest daughter, Cailin, was 3 years old. In obedience, they stepped into the unknown with Him. In 2011, the Hart family discovered ILA and since that time, Kimberley has served in various roles of leadership including Director for the Orange County ILA campus and teaching Kingdom courses. She is excited to be in the leadership role with EQUIP 210 as the Equipping Specialist for Biblical Kingdom Citizenship.

Kimberley has also been selling real estate in OC for the past 19 years. She attends Charis Bible College in Woodland Park, CO, online. Over the last few years, she has been trained in inner healing, and deliverance and also graduated from Charis Healing University. She and her family travel the country visiting churches to see how God is moving and are avid Christian conference attendees so they can fully understand their identity and calling.

Kimberley was born in southern Oregon and raised in Orange County, CA. She and her husband, Colin, have three high school children, Cailin, Kenzie, and Christian. Together they are on the adventure of a lifetime running hand in hand into every season that God takes them into. They love road-tripping around the US with their two dogs, chasing waterfalls, running into fresh snow, camping under the stars, and taking in every single sight.

Cailin Hart is a 12th-grade student, business owner, teacher, and avid coffee enthusiast. As an Orange County native, she's grown up running on the beaches, surfing the waves, and hiking the local hills of wildflowers. She was born in love with Jesus and has a curious heart to see Him in all things around her. She loves traveling, photography, children, working at a local coffee shop, and staying up late.

At the age of 3, the Lord called her parents to homeschool her and her siblings. In this environment, Cailin thrived. After her family tried multiple different homeschool methods and programs of homeschooling, Cailin's family finally landed at Independent Learning Academy (ILA) at the beginning of her second-grade year. In this new, structured environment Cailin launched her creativity as well as excelling in her academics.

Since attending ILA Cailin has received numerous awards for her scholastic achievements. As a freshman, the state of CA recognized her as a 12th-grade honors student in English. Cailin has held a position on the student body council since her 8th-grade year including class president, social activities director, and serving as a journalist. Cailin went on to help launch student councils at other campuses for ILA. Cailin is currently teaching two sewing classes at the Orange County ILA campus.

Cailin is a business owner of Tower 20 clothing where she designs, creates patterns and hand sews her creations. For the past two years, she has been asked to sell her designs at curated events and hosts pop-up shops.

Cailin is actively praying about what God’s path is for her for the fall of 2023, whether Bible college, fashion school, business school, or launching into the mission field, she is faithful that God has huge plans for her.