The Defender Podcast

Join us as Karla Thrasher gives some great insight to Lifeline’s China Program.Subscribe on iTunes | StitcherEmail: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Tracey Hacker shares her road to adoption and foster care at a recent storytelling event, Arc Stories. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell talks with Christie Mac Segars and Jennifer Travis about foster care and the local church. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell talks with Christy Harmon about Birthmother’s Day and Lifeline’s heart for birth mothers. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell talks with Dr. Rick Morton about planning for church engagement. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell talks with Dr. Rick Morton about getting your local church involved in orphan care. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell talks about this year’s Stand for Orphans campaign with his wife, Ashley. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Jennifer Phillips tells the story of bringing her daughter Lucy home from China. This story was part of ARC Stories recent storytelling event focusing on Redemption & Rescue. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell talks with Cameron Clayton about engaging men to defend the fatherless. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Rick Morton sits down with the Davidson Family to talk about Families Count. Kyle & Janie Davidson – Mountain Home, Arkansas Kyle is bank executive, I believe Janie is SAHM. They have 2 bio children – son (13), daughter (8, I believe). Have been involved with Families Count for about 2 years; have really partnered with other churches in their community – it’s a small town so everyone knows everyone, and they’ve experienced some deep discipleship and long-term relationships with bio families. They are VERY down to earth, relational people who desire to pour into families and see gospel restoration. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Rick Morton sits down with the Foulkrod Family to talk about Families Count. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Rick Morton sits down with the Pitner Family to talk about Families Count. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Rick Morton sits down with Nate and Julia Bruns to talk about Families Count. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Rick Morton sits down with David and Allison McConnell to talk about Families Count. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Good Friday and Easter fuels our mission to defend the fatherless and ultimately gives all Christ followers purpose, significance, and victory. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell talks with Ferrah, Beth, and Josh about what they have learned from their time in Brazil. Ferrah Poe – Latin American Case Worker and Brazil Coordinator Beth Stanley – Latin American Director Josh Caldwell – International Director Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell talks with Ferrah, Beth, and Josh about adoption and orphan care in Brazil. Ferrah Poe – Latin American Case Worker and Brazil Coordinator Beth Stanley – Latin American Director Josh Caldwell – International Director Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell talks with friend and mentor, Jim Shaddix. Jim Shaddix serves as Professor of Preaching at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC, occupying the W. A. Criswell Chair of Expository Preaching. He also serves as Coordinator of Southeastern’s EQUIP Network, which partners with churches and other ministry organizations to provide practical theological education through mentored internships and field-based instruction. Jim has pastored churches in Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana and Colorado, and also served as Dean of the Chapel and Professor of Preaching at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in New Orleans, LA. He is the author of The Passion Driven Sermon (Broadman & Holman, 2003) and co-author of Power in the Pulpit with Jerry Vines (Moody, 1999, 2017) and Progress in the Pulpit (Moody, 2017). Jim and his wife, Debra, focus much of their attention on discipling and mentoring young leaders and spouses. They have three grown children and four grandchildren. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell reflects on the life and legacy of Billy Graham. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell talks with Roland C. Warren, CEO of Care Net. Roland C. Warren was appointed Care Net CEO in October 2012. Prior to his tenure at Care Net, Roland served as president of the National Fatherhood Initiative (NFI), where he was dedicated to the mission of improving the well-being of children by increasing the proportion of children that are raised with involved, responsible and committed fathers. At Care Net, Roland is passionate about helping Care Net accomplish its vision, which is to create a culture where women and men faced with pregnancy decisions are transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ and empowered to choose life for their unborn children and abundant life for their families. His national media appearances include e Oprah Winfrey Show, e Today Show, CNN, C-SPAN, Dateline NBC, Fox News Channel, and Black Entertainment Television. He has been interviewed by major radio and newspaper outlets such as e Wall Street Journal, USA Today, e Washington Post, O Magazine, Ebony, Sports Illustrated, Christianity Today, Essence, the Tavis Smiley Show, and Janet Parshall’s America. He also has written a monthly column called “Pop Culture” for e Washington Times. He is also the author of “Bad Dads of the Bible: 8 Mistakes Every Good Dad Can Avoid.” Roland, an alumnus of Princeton University, brings to Care Net almost two decades of experience in the business world, including positions at IBM, PepsiCo and Goldman Sachs and more than a decade of experience in the non-pro t world, and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Roland is married to Dr. Yvette Lopez-Warren and has two sons, Jamin, a graduate of Harvard University, and Justin, a graduate of the University of North Carolina, and Indiana Univer- sity of Pennsylvania. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell examines Black History Month from a Christian worldview. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell talks with Dr. Eduardo Franco about adoption and foster care in Colombia. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell examines the Parkland school shooting and how we as Christians can answer the call to love others. Are we willing to step into the messy world of orphan care, foster care and adoption in order to manifest the Gospel to orphans and widows in distress? It’s costly, but it is the command of the Gospel. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/15/us/nikolas-cruz-florida-shooting.html Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell leads talks with Chuck Johnson, president and CEO of the National Council for Adoption. He is responsible for all aspects of NCFA, including management as well as implementing the organization’s mission. He is an advocate for children, birth parents, and adoptive families, and is a frequent writer, speaker, and commentator on adoption policy and practice. Prior to joining NCFA, Chuck served 17 years with Lifeline Children’s Services a licensed child-placing agency and ministry in Alabama, including eight years as its executive director. He was a consultant and on-camera participant to Hallmark Entertainment’s A Family for Li. His recent citations include Today Show, Good Morning America, Fox News, Reuters, TIME Magazine, Associated Press, MSNBC, Washington Post, Washington Times, and The New York Times. Chuck is a graduate of Auburn University with a degree in Social Work and holds a Masters degree from Birmingham Theological Seminary. He and his wife are parents by adoption and live in Maryland. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell talks with Kimberly Merida about advocating for the vulnerable. Kimberly Merida an advocate for life, adoption, foster care, and most prevalently an advocate for justice for the oppressed. Kimberly is the wife of Tony Merida, The Merida’s are dear friends of Lifeline and have adopted 4 children from Ukraine and one child from Ethiopia. Together they lead Imago Dei Church in Raleigh, where Tony is also an adjunct professors at Southeastern Theological Seminary. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Josh Caldwell recounts an emotional journey along the red dirt roads of Uganda. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell talks with Hannah Sultemeier and Lindsey Washington of Stand for Life. www.standforlife.org Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell talks with Emily Chapman Richards. Emily is the Vice President of Show Hope (showhope.org) and the eldest daughter of Contemporary Christian Recording artist Steven Curtis Chapman. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell talks parenting with Danny Akin, President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell talks with Angela Mains about protecting your child’s story. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell leads us through Luke 8:22-25 and prayers for China. Prayer for partners on the ground, that the Lord will give them wisdom and direction in an ever changing environment Prayer specifically for Peggy and Emily as they continue to seek the Lord in launching an education center focused on family preservation Prayer for the Lifeline team as we seek the Lord in how He desires for Lifeline to be involved in caring for the least of these in China Waiting children- for protection and care as they wait to be matched; for protection and provision for children that may not be adopted or ever know the love of a family; For waiting children in China to be exposed to the gospel Waiting families that the Lord would continue to open families hearts to older children with more significant needs Our in country team: That Lily, Aron, Helen, David, Michael and the rest of our guides would come to know the Lord and That Rebecca and Nancy would be encouraged in their faith Our team in the States: Stamina for our China team during a major transition period. For our team’s personal lives (babies, adoptions and marriages) Praise the Lord for the evidence of discipleship in China family’s lives! Praise the Lord for potential opportunities to travel to China! Praise the Lord for new files and families being matched after a year of waiting! Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Tina Chambers Smith tells her story during ArcStories about hope, heartbreak, and redemption. http://raisingkidsonyourknees.org Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell talks with Dr. Russell Moore of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. erlc.com Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell and Dr. Rick Morton lead us through Luke 8 and prayers for Bulgaria. Praise the Lord for a great relationship with our partners who advocate extremely well for Bulgarian children. Family National Association-Angela, Nadya, Maggie, Christina and all of the attendants with FNA. Elena- with the St. Constantine and Elena foundation, Pray for these women’s salvations and for our families to be intentional in sharing the gospel while in country. Pray for our partners as they receive children’s files to put on waiting children lists. Pray that as they work day to day with officials in Bulgaria that their relationships will remain strong. We have many, many children on our waiting list, all ranging from older kids with minor needs to kids with moderate/severe special needs. The majority of them receive little to neglectful care and the orphanage conditions are extremely harsh. Pray that the Lord will send the families that he wants for these children so they do not continue to remain in orphanages there! Roma children: Roma people face severe discrimination. Pray that Christ-followers in Bulgaria would minister to this group. Also pray for families to be open to adopting Roma children- they make up the majority of children adopted from Bulgaria! Pray for older children, who will age out soon. Special Needs Interest: That the Lord will provide many families who are interested in Bulgaria, specifically families who are willing to adopt children who are older, a sibling group, or with significant special needs. Pray that families who may be in traditional process would consider special needs that their family could handle. Families in Process: Please pray for these families as they wait and prepare. Praise the Lord for the Pfamily who has just brought their son home. Pray for the W family as they leave tomorrow to bring home their son! Pray for the B family who have a heart for older children and recently traveled to meet their teenage girls. They will travel again in a few months to bring them home! Pray for the Gospel to go forth in Bulgaria and reach government leaders and bring about change in orphan care. Pray for the church in Bulgaria to be motivated to care for the fatherless, not out of obligation or religion, but in response to what Christ has done for them. Pray for our team as they communicate with the foundations and their families. Pray that Christ would be evident in them to the people that we work with in Bulgaria. Pray that the Lord will open unique doors so that Jana, Brianna, and Toriacan advocate for the children with significant special needs. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell talks with Todd and Amy Block from Village of Hope and how the Lord is using them in Guatemala. www.villageofhopeguatemala.com Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell recaps some of what God has done through Lifeline ministries in 2017. 280 women have been counseled through crisis pregnancies. Over 60 foster families trained. 158 parents attended the Families Count® family restoration program. 304 children have found their forever families through adoption. 1,855 caregivers and aging out orphans impacted with training through (un)adopted. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

In this episode Traci Newell talks with Chris and Trina Stines about their personal experience participating in Families Count. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

This podcast on racial reconciliation was one of the most popular episodes of 2017. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

This podcast featuring Karla Thrasher was one of the most popular episodes of 2017.Subscribe on iTunes | StitcherEmail: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

This podcast featuring Pastor Raphael of King Jesus Church was one of the most popular episodes of 2017. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

This podcast on Zachariah was one of the most popular episodes of 2017. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

In this episode Rick Morton leads us through John John 5:17-6:11 during our Monday morning Bible study. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

In this episode Blake Wilson leads us through Luke 4:31-5:16 during our Monday morning Bible study. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

This is Episode 10 in Lifeline’s Advent podcast series. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

During this time of prayer, Herbie Newell identifies how we can pray the country of Hungary. Colossians 2:2-4 Pray for the Gospel to continue to spread in Hong Kong and that more and more people will be saved. Pray for the Gospel to reach into the government of Hong Kong and that leaders will become followers of Christ. Pray for the government as they make decisions and lead the country of HongKong. Tammy- 13 year old girl Pray for children who are waiting, that God will put people in their lives that will love them and share Christ with them. Pray for these precious children that are older or children with significant special needs. Pray that they would come to know the hope of Christ. Siblings- Samantha (15) and Sean (14). Families in process: For smooth processes and patience in the wait. For God to bring more families who are mission-minded and especially have a heart for older children with more significant special needs. Maximus- 6 year old boy Mother’s Choice Home – Chrissy, Janice, Fiona, Sue, and Angel Wisdom in preparing and working with adoptive families in Hong Kong and from the States. Pray for Lifeline’s partnership with Mother’s Choice, for our relationship to grow and continue to be strengthened Kevin- 13 year old boy Continue to pray for wisdom and discernment for Meredith as she is managing the program on her own right now. Praises: That Hong Kong has an adoption friendly culture, where most children with minor or correctible special needs are able to be adopted domestically. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

In this episode Herbie Newell leads us through Luke 4:14-30 during our Monday morning Bible study. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

In this episode Herbie Newell helps prepare us for Advent. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

During this time of prayer, Herbie Newell identifies how we can pray the country of Hungary. Colossians 2:2-4 Pray for the country as a whole. Many Hungarians call themselves Christians but most families have described it as a spiritually dark country. Catholicism and Eastern Orthodox are strong religious traditions in Hungary. Pray that our families will continue to share the gospel when they travel and for opportunities for our staff to be lights in the darkness to the on the ground team. Pray that the Ministry of Human Resources Department of Family and Demographic Affairs Central Authority will continue to be in favor of international adoptions and see the urgency in preparing paperwork for children. Pray for Judith Sebestyen, our contact at the US Embassy who always helps our families. Hungary does not maintain a waiting child list, so pray for the children as they wait in orphanages or foster homes for their forever families. Pray that foster families will see the need to spend one on one time with the children and not just see foster care as a means to receive money. Pray for the discrimination against the Roma children and population as a whole. Pray the Lord would protect these children from discrimination and provide forever families for them. Pray for bonding, attachments, and a smooth in country process for adopting families. Pray families will share the gospel with George, Adam, and Rita and enjoy their time away as a family. Pray for a family in country finishing their process. They bring their daughter home December 17! Pray for our 3 families waiting to travel and our ten families waiting on a referral. Pray for our in country team: George, Adam, Rita, Dr. Boros and Cornell. Pray for health and endurance while families are in country. Pray for our Lifeline team: Josh, Jana, Brianna, Toria, and Sasha as they serve our families. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

In this episode David Wooten leads us through Luke 3:21-4:13 during our Monday morning Bible study. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

During this time of prayer, Herbie Newell identifies how we can pray for Lifeline’s ministry and the families we work with. Psalm 103:1-6 Pray for the churches involved in foster care in both AL and SC and for these partnerships to expand into more than just recruitment of families, but holistic support of foster families and birth families and financial support. Financial Provision for our Family Restoration Programs-Pray that God will continue to provide for our needs as our program grows through church partnerships, grants, and individual donors. Pray for our partnerships with state and county child welfare departments. Pray the Lord will deepen and strengthen these relationships and to grow the level of trust between all parties. For open staff positions in SC and KS Children in care: for Salvation, for healing from the trauma they have endured, for God to use their stories for his glory, and for adoptive families for those where parental rights have been terminated Birth Families: for Salvation, for them to know their value/identity does not have to be based on their past, and for them to be motivated to accomplish their goals to be reunified with their children Current foster/host families- wisdom, grace, strength, and patience as they daily minister to children in need. For several families who are currently in process who have difficult pasts and for the Lord to use their past for his glory. Prospective Families in process-Pray that they will complete the necessary requirements in order to become approved, so that they can start accepting placements. For more families to respond to the specific needs of older children, sibling groups, and medical special needs through the upcoming classes and trainings in Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Charleston, and Topeka For more missional families who are called to also minister to birth families Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild