The Defender Podcast

As we approach the end of 2023, we are sharing one the most popular episodes this year. Ann Maura Hinton, Program Director of Bridge Educational Services at Lifeline, joins the podcast to talk about the power of play in kids' lives and how it affects their ability to learn and grow.

GUEST
Ann Maura is the Program Director of Bridge Educational Services at Lifeline. She loves to learn and is constantly looking to build a bridge from frustration to hope alongside families in need. She brings with her over 25 years of teaching experience in a variety of different settings with a variety of different abilities.

HOST
Herbie Newell is the President & Executive Director of Lifeline Children’s Services and its ministry arms.

CO-HOST
Rick Morton is the Vice President of Engagement at Lifeline Children's Services.

RESOURCES
When your children from hard places struggle to reach their potential in learning, it can be really difficult. But we’re here to support you as you help them learn in public, private, or homeschooling settings.

Bridge Educational Services is ready to help children in public, private, and home school environments to maximize their God-given potential. Bridge Educational Services provides support to families with tools and techniques to equip, empower, and shepherd children academically, relationally, and emotionally. This is achieved through educational screenings, one-on-one educational therapy, and educational consulting. We strive to come alongside families so children get the best education possible.

GET INVOLVED

In January, churches across our nation will come together for prayer, focus, observance, and discussion to highlight the need to stand for all human life. Join us on January 21 or on another Sunday that works for your church. 

Lifeline has created free resources and to help your church stand for life. We can also provide a free speaker or table hosting for your day. 

Click here  to download free resources or to request a speaker for your church or small group. 

And remember that you still have a few more days to donate to Lifeline and receive a tax deduction for 2023. Thanks to the generosity of a donor, your gift today will be doubled!

LIFELINE CHILDREN'S SERVICES

The mission of Lifeline Children’s Services is to equip the Body of Christ to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children. Our vision is for vulnerable children and their communities to be transformed by the gospel and to make disciples.

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The Defender Podcast: Subscribe on iTunes | Transistor | Spotify

The Defender Bible Study: Subscribe on iTunes | Transistor | Spotify

Today on the podcast, we have a special holiday episode! Herbie and Dr. Rick reflect on the goodness and grace bestowed upon us by the Lord throughout the year. Christmas isn't just a celebration; it's a time for deep gratitude. Hear of the Lord's hand at work through His people, caring for orphans and vulnerable children. It's a testament to the true spirit of Christmas.

HOST
Herbie Newell is the President & Executive Director of Lifeline Children’s Services and its ministry arms.

CO-HOST
Rick Morton is the Vice President of Engagement at Lifeline Children's Services.

RESOURCES

As believers, we know the hope of Christmas gives us hope for our lives, no matter what each day holds. Even in a world full of pain and suffering, we know that the God of the universe humbled Himself to be born as a baby to take our pain and pay the price for our sin. 

Now, as image bearers of God, we live with the hope of Christmas, and we live out gospel-centered justice to defend life, bring restoration, and seek redemption for all that sin has broken.  

We invite you to live out the gospel through the ministry of Lifeline and change lives around the world by partnering with us. https://lifelinechild.org/change-one-life 

LIFELINE CHILDREN'S SERVICES

The mission of Lifeline Children’s Services is to equip the Body of Christ to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children. Our vision is for vulnerable children and their communities to be transformed by the gospel and to make disciples.

FOLLOW US

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

The Defender Podcast: Subscribe on iTunes | Transistor | Spotify

The Defender Bible Study: Subscribe on iTunes | Transistor | Spotify

Today on the podcast, we are joining you with a special story from our annual fundraising event in Birmingham, Alabama. The Vest family shared not only of their international adoption journey and how Lifeline was able to aid them after a traumatic family event, but how these events provided a unique insight which led them to becoming involved the Families Count ministry. 

GUESTS
Rich and Johanna Vest are parents of four children through birth and adoption. They Vests serve as volunteer directors of Families Count at their church in Birmingham, Alabama. 

HOST
Herbie Newell is the President & Executive Director of Lifeline Children’s Services and its ministry arms.

CO-HOST
Rick Morton is the Vice President of Engagement at Lifeline Children's Services.

RESOURCES

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 explains that God’s comfort and sustaining hand in our times of trouble enable us to show that same grace to others who are struggling. Today, in our podcast, we will talk to the Vest family, who extended grace to others through their own struggles. Because of their own near-tragic experiences, they became involved in Families Count through their church. 

Families Count is a family restoration and preservation ministry that partners with the local church to provide parenting courses for vulnerable families in the foster care system or who are at risk of entering it. When you partner with Lifeline financially, you walk alongside families who need to know the comfort of God. Give today and change one life through Families Count at lifelinechild.org/change-one-life. 

LIFELINE CHILDREN'S SERVICES

The mission of Lifeline Children’s Services is to equip the Body of Christ to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children. Our vision is for vulnerable children and their communities to be transformed by the gospel and to make disciples. 

FOLLOW US

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

The Defender Podcast: Subscribe on iTunes | Transistor | Spotify

The Defender Bible Study: Subscribe on iTunes | Transistor | Spotify

Today on the podcast, Kenny and Kristen Anderson join us again with an update on their adoption. In August, we talked with the Andersons as they were about to head to China to bring home their daughter. Listen to part two as they share of life after coming home.  

GUESTS
Kenny and Kristen Anderson have been pursuing international adoption over the last 3.5 years. They have a biological daughter named Brooklyn and this year they brought home their daughter, Hannah, from China. 

HOST
Herbie Newell is the President & Executive Director of Lifeline Children’s Services and its ministry arms.

CO-HOST
Rick Morton is the Vice President of Engagement at Lifeline Children's Services.

RESOURCES

Although adoption is a beautiful response to God’s command to care for the fatherless, the vast majority of orphans will never be adopted. Our Global Orphan Care ministry was born out of a desire to reach these vulnerable children. This ministry equips caregivers with the knowledge of holistic care, provides children with job and life skills training, and serves alongside local churches already ministering to the vulnerable in their area. Partners like you enable vulnerable children to have their futures transformed by the hope of the gospel. 

Give today and change one life through Global Orphan Care.

LIFELINE CHILDREN'S SERVICES

The mission of Lifeline Children’s Services is to equip the Body of Christ to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children. Our vision is for vulnerable children and their communities to be transformed by the gospel and to make disciples. 

FOLLOW US

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

The Defender Podcast: Subscribe on iTunes | Transistor | Spotify

The Defender Bible Study: Subscribe on iTunes | Transistor | Spotify

Today, Angela Mains joins the Defender Podcast to talk through practical tips for helping your child successfully navigate the dysregulation of the holidays. The holidays can be such a joyful and peaceful time; however, holidays can be difficult for children who come from hard places. Learn how to thrive and survive the holidays. 

GUEST
Angela Mains is a TBRI and Certified Theraplay Practitioner. She has worked at Lifeline for several years and brings knowledge, experience, and wisdom from her time here. She is the Program Director of Counseling Services at Lifeline. 

HOST

• Herbie Newell is the President & Executive Director of Lifeline Children’s Services and its ministry arms.

CO-HOST

• Rick Morton is the Vice President of Engagement at Lifeline Children's Services.

RESOURCES

• Today, we will be discussing practical tips for helping your child successfully navigate the dysregulation of the holidays. 
• We walk with families through these kinds of situations from their very first application submission, through teen years, and for a lifetime. 
• We want to set up our families for success. 
• You can partner with us now and help that ministry continue. Give today at https://bit.ly/46AdEQC to learn how you can be a part of what God is doing to change lives.

LIFELINE CHILDREN'S SERVICES

• The mission of Lifeline Children’s Services is to equip the Body of Christ to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children. Our vision is for vulnerable children and their communities to be transformed by the gospel and to make disciples. 
• Web: lifelinechild.org
• Email: [email protected]
• Facebook, Instagram, Twitter: @lifelinechild
• The Defender Podcast: Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher | Spotify
• The Defender Bible Study: Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher | Spotify

Today, Angela Mains joins the Defender Podcast to talk through surviving the holidays with children who come from hard places. We know when parents can stay grounded, present, and regulated, they can help their children do the same. 

Angela talks about parents managing expectations during this time for their kids and themselves and prioritizing rest. Angela is the Program Director of Counseling Services at Lifeline and has a plethora of experience and wisdom. 

GUEST
Angela is a TBRI and Certified Theraplay Practitioner. She has worked at Lifeline for several years and brings knowledge, experience, and wisdom from her time here. She is the Program Director of Counseling Services at Lifeline. 

HOST

• Herbie Newell is the President & Executive Director of Lifeline Children’s Services and its ministry arms.

CO-HOST

• Rick Morton is the Vice President of Engagement at Lifeline Children's Services.

RESOURCES

• Today’s discussion surrounds surviving the chaos of the holiday season. 
• We know when parents can stay grounded, present, and regulated, they can help their children do the same. 
• This kind of guidance is instructed and practiced daily by our Parent Coaching and Counseling Teams. 
• At Lifeline, we don’t want to just help families come together. We want to help them thrive. 
• When you make a financial gift to Lifeline, you are helping families thrive in the midst of joys and challenges. 
• Visit https://bit.ly/46AdEQC. 

LIFELINE CHILDREN'S SERVICES

• The mission of Lifeline Children’s Services is to equip the Body of Christ to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children. Our vision is for vulnerable children and their communities to be transformed by the gospel and to make disciples. 
• Web: lifelinechild.org
• Email: [email protected]
• Facebook, Instagram, Twitter: @lifelinechild
• The Defender Podcast: Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher | Spotify
• The Defender Bible Study: Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher | Spotify

• Today on the podcast, Pastor Chris Johnson and his wife, Alicia Johnson, join the podcast to share their adoption story. They have ten children and adopted seven of their children through foster care. They have served as foster parents for more than 40 children. 

GUEST

• Today, we are going to talk with a man we affectionally call Pastor Chris and his wife, Alicia. Chris is the Vice President of Church Partnerships and Government Affairs at Lifeline and his family has also grown through biological children, foster care adoption, special needs adoption, and sibling adoption. Pastor Chris previously served as a pastor. 

HOST

• Herbie Newell is the President & Executive Director of Lifeline Children’s Services and its ministry arms.

CO-HOST

• Rick Morton is the Vice President of Engagement at Lifeline Children's Services.

RESOURCES

• Today, we are going to talk with a man we affectionally call Pastor Chris. Chris is a staff member at Lifeline and his family has also grown through biological children, foster care adoption, special needs adoption, and sibling adoption. 
• Lifeline walks families through domestic, international, and foster care adoption. When you partner with us, you help these children find their families and help those families thrive. 
• Through your partnership, God is changing lives now and for eternity. Learn how you can Change One Life and more by visiting https://bit.ly/46AdEQC. 

LIFELINE CHILDREN'S SERVICES

• The mission of Lifeline Children’s Services is to equip the Body of Christ to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children. Our vision is for vulnerable children and their communities to be transformed by the gospel and to make disciples. 
• Web: lifelinechild.org
• Email: [email protected]
• Facebook, Instagram, Twitter: @lifelinechild
• The Defender Podcast: Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher | Spotify
• The Defender Bible Study: Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher | Spotify

• Today on the podcast, Zac Rowe joins to talk about his personal connection to adoption and the work the church he helps lead, Gateway Church, is doing for adoption. 

GUEST

• Zac Rowe is a worship pastor at Gateway Church's Justin campus in Justin, Texas. The main campus of Gateway Church is in Dallas, Texas. Zac's wife is Kenzie Rowe. Gateway is one of the largest and most influential churches in North America, with multiple campuses and thousands of listeners online. 

HOST

• Herbie Newell is the President & Executive Director of Lifeline Children’s Services and its ministry arms.

CO-HOST

• Rick Morton is the Vice President of Engagement at Lifeline Children's Services.

RESOURCES

• Today, we will talk with Zac Rowe and hear about his personal connection to adoption as well as the partnership that his church maintains with Lifeline. 
• Not only does Lifeline desire to see children placed in Christ-centered families, we help churches join God's call to defend vulnerable children and families.  
• Our church partners support Lifeline financially as well as engage practically in ministry through foster care, family restoration, mentoring, global orphan care, and more. 
• We have seen life transformation happen when vulnerable families are connected to the support and grace of a local church. 
• We invite you to join this work God is doing through these relationships. You can double your impact now through a generous matching gift. 
• Give today at https://bit.ly/46AdEQC 

LIFELINE CHILDREN'S SERVICES

• The mission of Lifeline Children’s Services is to equip the Body of Christ to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children. Our vision is for vulnerable children and their communities to be transformed by the gospel and to make disciples. 
• Web: lifelinechild.org
• Email: [email protected]
• Facebook, Instagram, Twitter: @lifelinechild
• The Defender Podcast: Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher | Spotify
• The Defender Bible Study: Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher | Spotify

• Today on the podcast, Sandra Flach joins to talk about Justice for Orphans, the nonprofit she founded. 

GUEST

• Sandra Flach founded Justice for Orphans, a nonprofit ministry dedicated to rallying the Church around the cause of helping orphans and foster children. Sandra has experience caring for children with traumatic histories. 

HOST

• Herbie Newell is the President & Executive Director of Lifeline Children’s Services and its ministry arms.

CO-HOST

• Rick Morton is the Vice President of Engagement at Lifeline Children's Services.

RESOURCES

• In today’s podcast, we will hear from Sandra Flach, who founded Justice for Orphans, a nonprofit ministry dedicated to rallying the Church for the cause of orphans and foster children. 
• Sandra is no stranger to adoption and has much experience caring for children with traumatic histories, as you will hear. 
• Lifeline understands the challenges that face families like Sandra’s who love children from hard places.  
• We commit to walking beside them for a lifetime through resources such as counseling, parent coaching, assistance with tutoring and educational plans, and more. 
• When you give to Lifeline, you change the lives of families and children every day. You can help even more families heal from trauma now by taking advantage of our matching gift. Every donation you make will be doubled!  
• For more details, visit https://bit.ly/46AdEQC

LIFELINE CHILDREN'S SERVICES

• The mission of Lifeline Children’s Services is to equip the Body of Christ to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children. Our vision is for vulnerable children and their communities to be transformed by the gospel and to make disciples. 
• Web: lifelinechild.org
• Email: [email protected]
• Facebook, Instagram, Twitter: @lifelinechild
• The Defender Podcast: Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher | Spotify
• The Defender Bible Study: Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher | Spotify

• Today on the podcast, Todd Unzicker, Executive Director of North Carolina Baptist Convention, talks about the church pressing in and caring for orphans and vulnerable children. 

GUEST

• Todd Unzicker is the Executive Director of North Carolina Baptist Convention. 

HOST

• Herbie Newell is the President & Executive Director of Lifeline Children’s Services and its ministry arms.

CO-HOST

• Rick Morton is the Vice President of Engagement at Lifeline Children's Services.

RESOURCES

• Your partnership makes Lifeline Village and the care women receive there possible. 
• As we are nearing the end of 2023, we invite you to join us in continuing God’s ministry by giving a financial gift. 
• You can multiply the impact of your gift now because of the generosity of a matching donor. Give today and double the impact. 
• Visit https://bit.ly/46AdEQC to impact eternity with your giving. 

LIFELINE CHILDREN'S SERVICES

• The mission of Lifeline Children’s Services is to equip the Body of Christ to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children. Our vision is for vulnerable children and their communities to be transformed by the gospel and to make disciples. 
• Web: lifelinechild.org
• Email: [email protected]
• Facebook, Instagram, Twitter: @lifelinechild
• The Defender Podcast: Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher | Spotify
• The Defender Bible Study: Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher | Spotify