The Defender Podcast

Join us as Herbie Newell talks with Jedd Medefind abou Orphan Sunday and what it means to be an orphaned and vulnerable child. Jedd Medefind loves journeying life with his wife, Rachel. He relishes wrestling matches with his five children—Siena, Marin, Eden, Lincoln, and Phoebe. Most of all, he desires to reflect the heart of Jesus Christ in all of life. Jedd has seen (and experienced!) that lives are turned upside-down when Christians begin to reflect God’s heart through adoption, foster care and service to orphans worldwide. This kind of love transforms not only vulnerable children, but also those who open hearts and homes to them. Churches begin to look different, too, as the entire community pulls together for children who’ve known great hurt. Finally, the change touches even onlookers, who encounter the Gospel not only in words, but made visible before their eyes. Desiring to spur this kind of transformation through the Church, Jedd serves as President of the Christian Alliance for Orphans. Through CAFO, more than 190 respected organizations unite in shared initiatives, along with a wide network of churches. CAFO’s membership works in tandem to inspire and equip families, churches and organizations for effective service to vulnerable children and families — from adoption and US foster care, to aid and empowerment programs worldwide. Prior to his this role, Jedd served in the White House as a Special Assistant to President George W. Bush, leading the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. In this post, he oversaw reform efforts across the government to make community- and faith-based groups central partners in all Federal efforts to aid the needy, from prisoner reentry to global AIDS. As described by the Harvard Political Review, these reforms “fundamentally changed the government’s strategy for improving the lives of the downtrodden…” Previously, Jedd held a range of posts in the California State Legislature. He also helped establish the California Community Renewal Project, which strengthens nonprofits in some of the state’s most challenged communities. He has worked, studied and served in more than thirty countries, with organizations ranging from Price-Waterhouse in Moscow to Christian Life Bangladesh. Books written by Jedd include Upended and Four Souls. He also writes articles and op-eds for publications ranging from the Wall Street Journal and Washington Post to Comment Magazine, and engages radio interviews with both faith-based and mainstream outlets, from NPR and Al Jazeera to Moody Radio. Jedd’s most recent book, Becoming Home, offers a brief-yet-rich exploration of how families and communities can embrace vulnerable children with wisdom and love through adoption, foster care, mentoring and more. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelainechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell talks with Dr. Randy Stinson about family, parenting, and adoption. Dr. Randy Stinson is senior VP of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. A recognized authority on the subject of biblical manhood and womanhood, Stinson is a regular conference speaker on the subjects of parenting, marriage, and men’s leadership. He is the co-author of A Guide to Biblical Manhood and co-editor of Trained in the Fear of God: Family Ministry in Theological, Historical, and Practical Perspective. In his spare time, he enjoys hunting, fishing, and encourages his children in their pursuits of baseball, tennis, and lacrosse. He and his wife, Danna, have been married since 1991 and have eight children: Gunnar, Georgia, Fisher, Eden, Payton, Spencer, Willa, and Brewer. Many of the Stinson children have entered their family through adoption. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelainechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell talks with Michael and Lauren Green McAfee about their call to adopt and their current adoption journey. Lauren Green McAfee serves as the Corporate Ambassador for Hobby Lobby in Oklahoma City, OK. Lauren is the author of Only One Life: How A Woman’s Every Day Shapes an Eternal Legacy which she wrote with her mother Jackie Green. She has been featured many times on major news outlets explaining the Christian Values of Hobby Lobby and the need to defend the company from cultural attacks through healthcare and other legislation. Outside of her day job, Lauren’s husband Michael Director of Outreach and Engagement – qhas a pivotal role with the newly opened Museum of the Bible in Washington DC and she is also a PhD student studying Ethics and Public Policy at southern seminary in Louisville. Lauren is happily married to her High School Sweetheart Michael McAfee. She is committed to Jesus Christ and hopes that through her work, others will be drawn to engage in the book that gives her constant hope and inspiration: the Bible. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelainechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell talks with Lt Col Chris Leist in our staff spotlight series. Chris Leist holds a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Texas A&M University and a Master of Arts from American Military University. He comes to Lifeline following a 21-year career in the United States Air Force during which he flew C-5 and KC-135 aircraft across the globe, deployed numerous times and led several organizations at all levels. Chris’ passions are serving Jesus Christ, loving his family and helping others that are called to grow their families through International adoption. Chris is married to Stefanie and they are the proud parents of 12 children: Victoria, Zach, Asher, Dalton, Sophie, Isabelle, Jude, Shepherd, Vivienne, Penelope, Esther (deceased) and Tallula. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelainechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell talks with Taylor Calame about children and therapy. Taylor Calame is an adoptive mom, ABA therapist and Unadopted volunteer. Nine Things Parents Need to Know about Occupational Therapy Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelainechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell talks with about when an adoptive family should consider seeking post-adoption counseling services. Post-Adoption Counseling Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelainechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell talks with Heather Platt about adoption, discipleship, teaching, and raising children. Radical McLean Bible Church David and Heather Platt Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelainechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell talks with Dasha Grace who will be special guests at Lifeline’s 2018 Fundraising Dinner. lifelinechild.org/sharethestory Use the CODE : DEFEND to get $25 off each ticket. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelainechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell talks with Christy Harmon to debunk common myths about women who place their babies for adoption . More Info: pregnant.lifelinechild.org Email: [email protected] 24/7 Phone: 1-800-875-5595 Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinepregnancycounseling Instagram: @lifelinepregnancycounseling Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell talks with China Program Director Karla Roozen Thrasher about their recent trip to China where they provided social work training.Subscribe on iTunes | StitcherEmail: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelainechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell talks with Deric and Heather Thomas who will be special guests at Lifeline’s 2018 Fundraising Dinner. lifelinechild.org/sharethestory Use the CODE : DEFEND to get $25 off each ticket. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelainechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell talks with Jana Lombardo and Karla Thrasher about Lifeline’s 37th anniversary of serving orphaned and vulnerable children. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell talks with Jennifer Phillips about her new book and initiative with Lifeline called 30 Days of Hope. More Info: lifelinechild.org/30-days-of-hope Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell talks with (un)adopted’s Michael Edwards and Neisha Roberts about the recent Run for One events in Birmingham and across the country. https://lifelinechild.org/unadopted/ Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell talks with Naomi Zacharias from Ravi Zacharias International Ministries. rzim.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 Ruth Malhotra and Alycia Wood from Ravi Zacharias International Ministries. rzim.org Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Dr. Rick Morton talks with The Gospel Coalition’s Trevin Wax. Trevin Wax is Bible and reference publisher at LifeWay Christian Resources and a visiting professor at Wheaton College. He is the general editor of The Gospel Project, and serves as a teaching pastor in Middle Tennessee. You can follow him on Twitter, Facebook, or receive his columns via email. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Dr. Rick Morton talks with The Gospel Coalition’s Trevin Wax. Trevin Wax is Bible and reference publisher at LifeWay Christian Resources and a visiting professor at Wheaton College. He is the general editor of The Gospel Project, and serves as a teaching pastor in Middle Tennessee. You can follow him on Twitter, Facebook, or receive his columns via email. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

In this episode Herbie Newell discusses Charlottesville, Racism, and the Sanctity of Life. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us for the second part of this interview with Dr. Rick Morton and Micah Fries. Micah is the Senior Pastor of Brainerd Baptist Church in Chattanooga, TN. Prior to serving at Brainerd, he served as the Vice President of LifeWay Research in Nashville, TN and as a frequent speaker in churches and conferences. He has served as a Senior Pastor in Missouri and an international church planter in Burkina Faso, West Africa. He holds a Master of Divinity from Midwestern Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from The Baptist College of Florida. While in college, Micah met Tracy, and they married in May of 2000. Micah and Tracy are parents to two daughters, Sarah Grace & Kessed Noel, and a son, Haddon. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell talks about his visit to China and Dr. Rick Morton talks with Micah Fries. Micah is the Senior Pastor of Brainerd Baptist Church in Chattanooga, TN. Prior to serving at Brainerd, he served as the Vice President of LifeWay Research in Nashville, TN and as a frequent speaker in churches and conferences. He has served as a Senior Pastor in Missouri and an international church planter in Burkina Faso, West Africa. He holds a Master of Divinity from Midwestern Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from The Baptist College of Florida. While in college, Micah met Tracy, and they married in May of 2000. Micah and Tracy are parents to two daughters, Sarah Grace & Kessed Noel, and a son, Haddon. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell shares part of a message he had the privilege to preach at the Church at Brook Hills called “The God Who Seeks the Outcast”. How can we join the Father to the fatherless? Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell shares part of a message he had the privilege to preach at the Church at Brook Hills called “The God Who Seeks the Outcast”. Praise the Lord because He invites us to participate with Him in reflecting His Glory to the vulnerable, the stranger, and the fatherless. Praise the Lord because His gospel is the power of God for salvation to the vulnerable, the stranger, the fatherless, and the world. and application Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell talks with Oscar Perez, Sebastian Rodríguez and Ashley Newell about the amazing things God is doing in Colombia. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell shares part of a message he had the privilege to preach at the Church at Brook Hills called “The God Who Seeks the Outcast”. Praise the Lord because He executes justice for the vulnerable, the stranger, and the fatherless. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell shares part of a message he had the privilege to preach at the Church at Brook Hills called “The God Who Seeks the Outcast”. Praise the Lord because we are not the rescuers nor the hope of the vulnerable, the stranger, and the fatherless. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell and Ashley Newell talk about their experience with caregiver training in Colombia. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell talks missional adoption with Summit Church’s Todd Unzicker. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Pastor Raphael Kajubi shares a testimony at CAFO of what God is doing through King Jesus Church in Busega, Uganda. 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 the highlights from the Newell Family’s first week in Colombia. Guests: Sebastian Rodríguez – Renacer baptist church Colombia Brittany Burianek – Executive Director Here I Am Orphan Ministries in Brenham, Texas. Deidre Kolkhorst – Here I Am Ministries team member from Katy Texas Ashley Newell, Adelynn, Emily and Caleb. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell shares 5 ways that anyone can advocate for the father this summer. Host a lemonade stand standfororphans.org Participate in a 5k runforone5k.org Provide adoption scholarships [email protected] Host an info meeting at your home or church [email protected] Wear lifeline merchandise store.lifelinechild.org. Also get an exclusive stand for orphans tee shirt for only $5 when you use the promo Code STANDFORORPHANS Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell and family share about Lifeline’s summer Stand for Orphans Campaign on the Rick & Bubba radio show. www.trillianewbell.com Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell talks with Trillia Newbell about Life, Race & Discipling Families. Trillia Newbell is the author of the kids’ book God’s Very Good Idea, as well as Enjoy: Finding the Freedom to Delight Daily in God’s Good Gifts (2016), Fear and Faith: Finding the Peace Your Heart Craves (2015) and United: Captured by God’s Vision for Diversity (2014). Her writings on issues of faith, family, and diversity have been published in the Knoxville News-Sentinel, Desiring God, True Woman, Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, and more. She has spoken at numerous conferences, churches, women’s retreats, colleges and seminaries, including True Woman, The Gospel Coalition Women’s conference, Southeastern Theological Seminary, and more. She currently is the Director of Community Outreach for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission for the Southern Baptist Convention. Her greatest love besides God is her family. She is married to her best friend and love, Thern. They reside with their two children near Nashville, TN. www.trillianewbell.com Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell talks with Michael Edwards and his vision for Lifeline through (un)adopted and LSET (Life Skills Education Training) and the upcoming R(un) for One. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell talks with Meredith Crawford and Ferrah Poe about Colombia Kids Camp and Latin America adoption. To host in 2018 or advocate email [email protected]. Email [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected] for more information about adoption. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us on this Best of episode where Herbie Newell sat down with Southeastern Seminary President Danny Akin to talk adoption, social justice, and the church. 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 discuss a recent webinar Dr. Rick hosted focusing on discipling children from hard places. http://lifelinechild.org/discipling-kids-from-hard-places/ Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us in the second part of this series as Herbie Newell and Josh Caldwell talk about creative ways of funding your adoption. ShowHope Abba Fund Lifesong Julie Gumm Fund the Nations Compelled Designs Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Message Notes Small Group Guide Prayer Guide Audio

Join us as Herbie Newell and Marcy Larson discuss getting started in International Adoption. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell talks with Dan Darling about ways that he and the ERLC are championing the rights of the vulnerable. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell and Austin Hardison discuss Lifeline’s 1st Annual Giving Day on June 21, how people can get involved, and the 8 different causes it will go to support. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell shares with us some great insight about the responsibility of men to live as image bearers and not like the culture in today’s world. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell talks with Darrell Jordan about adoption and foster care. D.J. Jordan is the Communications Director in the Office of United States Senator James Lankford (Okla.). Prior to coming to Capitol Hill in 2008, D.J. worked in broadcast journalism at CNN and then Fox News. He obtained a Bachelors of Science in Communications from Liberty University and a Masters in Public Management from The Johns Hopkins University. In 2016, he completed a four-year term on the Virginia State Board of Social Services, which overseas the foster care system and welfare programs in Virginia. D.J. has spoken at Christian Alliance for Orphans events for several years. He and his wife, Glorya, have four children, and have fostered and also adopted from foster care Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell and Rich Metcalf talk about funding your adoption. Since late 2010, Rich has served as Program Director for Lifesong for Orphans. He’s been married to his beautiful wife Becky for 25 years and have 6 amazing children. Prior to joining the Lifesong team, his family served as a missionaries in England for 11 years. He am thankful for the opportunity to connect with churches and individuals with the Father’s heart for the orphan and the need around the world. There is so much to be done, and the Lord has chosen the Church to be His vessel in meeting the need. lifesongfororphans.org bothhands.org Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Herbie Newell and Beth Perez talk about Costa Rica adoption and orphan care. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Rachel Snell and Neisha Roberts share about their recent trip to Uganda with (un)adopted. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Josh Caldwell and Meredith Campbell share about their recent trip to Haiti with (un)adopted. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us on this “Best of” episode with Herbie Newell and Dr. Russell Moore at Evangelicals for Life. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild

Join us as Lisa Terry shares her story at ArcStories about bringing her daughter home. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild Twitter: @lifelinechild Instagram: lifelinechild