The Defender Podcast

GUEST Angela Maines, MA, LPC, TBRI® Practitioner, Registered Play Therapist, joined Lifeline’s team in December 2012. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Family Science from Anderson University, a Master’s Degree in Licensed Professional Counseling from Liberty University, and a certificate in Play Therapy from Capella University. Angela primarily works with attachment and t...

GUEST Kristen Avery, is a missionary in Kenya. She provides an adoptive parents perspective during a really difficult year. 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 We house hundreds of helpful articles, activity ideas, and ot...

GUEST Lynn Beckett, received her bachelors of social work from the University of Georgia in 1981. She worked in the area of foster care and adoption in Georgia and Virginia before joining Lifeline staff in 1989. She became a TBRI® Practitioner in 2016. Lynn feels that it is an incredible privilege to be able to be a part of this ministry that is so committed to the care of orphans both here in the...

GUEST Rob Pacienza, Lead Pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida HOST Herbie Newell is the President & Executive Director of Lifeline Children’s Services and its ministry arms. RESOURCES The Defender Bible Study  Another free weekly podcast for you – led by a Lifeline staff member.  Featuring an in-depth study either on a portion of Scripture, or a book like...

GUEST Brad Evangelista , lead pastor at CrossPointe Church in Columbus, Georgia and church partner with Lifeline Children's Services. RESOURCES Parent Coaching is a service available for any parent who needs additional insight into their child’s behavior. Tailored to each family and each child. These are 45-60-minute sessions filled with proven tools and techniques to use in building additional st...

Bridge Educational Services - lifelinechild.org/bridge GUEST Rick Burgess has been the cohost of the “Rick and Bubba Show” since 1994, a nationally syndicated radio show which airs to 1.2 million people weekly. Rick has coauthored multiple New York Times bestselling books that are autobiographical in nature, but his latest release is a 40-day devotional designed to disciple men, a personal passion...

Lifeline Store - https://store.lifelinechild.org/ GUEST  Jason was born and raised in Birmingham, AL before moving to Suwanee, GA where he would finish high school. Upon graduation, Jason signed a football scholarship at The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) where he would be a 4 year starter and 4 year letter winner at Fullback. Though raised in a home that taught him to love and fear God, it...

Lifeline Store - https://store.lifelinechild.org/ GUEST  Pastor John Onwuchekwa RESOURCES Join us for the next Arc Stories event, featuring Lifeline family stories on adoption, fostering, family restoration, and orphan care. Proceeds from the event go to support Lifeline's ministry departments taking gospel hope to the vulnerable. Purchase Your Tickets Today !   HOST Herbie Newell is the President...

Lifeline Store - https://store.lifelinechild.org/ GUEST  Josh Caldwell, Vice President of International Ministries  Claire Davis, Program Director of Domestic Adoption Kemonia Brown, MA, LPC, NCC, Family Therapist  RESOURCES Parent Coaching is a service available for any parent who needs additional insight into their child’s behavior. Tailored to each family and each child. These are 45-60-minute...

Lifeline Store - https://store.lifelinechild.org/ GUEST  Jason Paredes, is the lead pastor of Fielder Church in Arlington, Texas and joined the staff in 2005. He assumed the role as lead pastor in 2016. He has an amazing family. (Wife: Virginia and has 5 daughters and 1 son) RESOURCES Road Map to International Adoption Webinar: If you’re considering international adoption but are stuck with too ma...

Lifeline Store - https://store.lifelinechild.org/ GUEST  Chuck Johnson serves as 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 pra...

Lifeline Store - https://store.lifelinechild.org/ GUEST  Chuck Johnson serves as 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 pra...

Lifeline Store - https://store.lifelinechild.org/ GUEST Lili, Birth Mother, shares her story of God's goodness and mercy. Lili is a super hero in our eyes as she was faced with overwhelming odds and options. Learn more about how Lili had to decide what was best for herself and her twins. Lauren Eddie, Pregnancy Counselor,  joined the Lifeline staff in January of 2018. She’s originally from New Orl...

Lifeline Store - https://store.lifelinechild.org/ GUEST Dr. Rick Morton, Vice President of Engagement Rick shepherds Lifeline's outreach to individuals, churches, and organizational ministry partners as well as the ministry’s commitment to publishing resources that aid families and churches in discipling orphans and vulnerable children. Holding both the Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Arts degr...

Lifeline Store - https://store.lifelinechild.org/ RESOURCES This year’s Sanctity of Human Life is January 17, the Sunday closest to the historic Roe v. Wade landmark case.  Use this day to mourn the loss of life through abortion and to take a stand for life. Find free resources for your church, like bulletin inserts and small group Bible studies, at https://lifelinechild.org/lifematters/ HOST Herb...

Lifeline Store - https://store.lifelinechild.org/ GUESTS Lynn Beckett,  Education Specialist, LBSW, TBRI® Practitioner Renee Griffin, Served families, children, foster families, with excellence over a 38-year tenure at Lifeline Jana Lombardo, Senior Program Director, International Programs,  LBSW, TBRI® Practitioner Karla Thrasher, Director of International Adoption, LBSW, TBRI® Practitioner  Trac...

Bridge Educational Services - lifelinechild.org/bridge GUEST Rick Burgess has been the cohost of the “Rick and Bubba Show” since 1994, a nationally syndicated radio show which airs to 1.2 million people weekly. Rick has coauthored multiple New York Times bestselling books that are autobiographical in nature, but his latest release is a 40-day devotional designed to disciple men, a personal passion...

Lifeline International Adoption - https://lifelinechild.org/international-adoption/ GUESTS Jana Lombardo is the Senior Program Director of International Programs. She has been with Lifeline since 1992 after she graduated from Auburn with a bachelor’s degree in social work. She worked for six and a half years as a domestic social worker/ birthmother counselor until the birth of her first son Eli. S...

GUEST Brittney Gilbert: She is a dentist in Alabama, specializing in pediatric dentistry and is on our Alabama board. RESOURCES Another free weekly resource podcast for you – led by a Lifeline staff member. Featuring an in-depth study either on a portion of Scripture, or a book like “Plain Theology for Plain People” or “New Morning Mercies,” etc. Listen wherever you find your podcasts. T-shirts Th...

GUEST Cooper and Anna Brooke Johnson have been loyal partners of Lifeline. They have 5 children, one of whom joined their family through adoption. Cooper works at Valent group and has been in the insurance business for 15 years. He obtained a bachelor’s degree from The University of Alabama in 1998 and an MBA from The University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2002. He previously served on Lifeline’s...

GUEST Brad Evangelista , lead pastor at CrossPointe Church in Columbus, Georgia and church partner with Lifeline Children's Services. RESOURCES Parent Coaching is a service available for any parent who needs additional insight into their child’s behavior. Tailored to each family and each child. These are 45-60-minute sessions filled with proven tools and techniques to use in building additional st...

GUEST Autumn Millett: After experiencing a difficult childhood characterized by homelessness, poverty, abuse, and involvement with the foster care system, Autumn Millett was adopted into her forever family at the age of 17. It was there that she found her identity in a personal relationship with Christ. She is now a graduate of Word of Life Bible Institute and Stetson University and is married to...

GUEST Lisa Qualls, and her husband, Russ, are the parents of twelve children by birth and adoption, and sometimes more through foster care. She is the creator of the One Thankful Mom website and a popular speaker at events for adoptive and foster parents. She is also the cofounder of The Connected Parent , a podcast and resource site for adoptive moms. Using her training as a TBRI Practioner and h...

GUEST Boyd Christenberry, biological child's perspective on adoption.  RESOURCES Image Bearers: Shifting from Pro-Birth to Pro-Life  There are many books about being pro-life and combatting abortion, but this book seeks to bring awareness that the pro-life ethic is so much bigger than just being pro-birth.  Includes prayer guides, tips to care for the fatherless, discussion/thought-provoking quest...

GUEST Christie Mac Segars , VP of Domestic Programs holds a Bachelors from Samford University and a Masters in Social Work from The University of Alabama. She has been the Domestic Director at Lifeline since March of 2013. She is passionate about taking the gospel to hurting families and the ministry of reconciliation and redemption that exists in the various domestic programs. She and her husband...