Adoption & Advocacy with Kirti Pickard
In this episode of The Defender Podcast, we welcome Kirti Pickard—adoptee, advocate, and podcast host—who shares her powerful adoption journey and how it fuels her passion for serving vulnerable children. Adopted from India at the age of four, Kirti has a deep, firsthand understanding of the lifelong impact of adoption. She discusses the challenges adoptees face, how faith shapes her work, and the importance of churches and communities walking alongside adoptive families. Through her podcast, When I Grow Up, and her leadership of Mission 143, she is dedicated to sharing stories of God’s faithfulness and raising support for children in need.
🎧 Tune in to hear:
✅ Kirti’s personal adoption story and how it shaped her faith
✅ The unseen challenges adoptees often experience
✅ How adoptive families can help children navigate identity and belonging
✅ Practical ways churches and communities can support adoptees
✅ How Mission 143 is making a tangible impact
🎧 Tune in to hear:
✅ Kirti’s personal adoption story and how it shaped her faith
✅ The unseen challenges adoptees often experience
✅ How adoptive families can help children navigate identity and belonging
✅ Practical ways churches and communities can support adoptees
✅ How Mission 143 is making a tangible impact
Guest: Kirti Pickard
Kirti Pickard was born in India and adopted at the age of four, giving her a deep understanding of the profound impact of adoption. She is the host of When I Grow Up, a podcast sharing extraordinary stories of everyday people. Kirti also leads Mission 143, a fundraiser that donates 100% of its proceeds to Lifeline Children’s Services, helping to support vulnerable children and families.
Kirti Pickard was born in India and adopted at the age of four, giving her a deep understanding of the profound impact of adoption. She is the host of When I Grow Up, a podcast sharing extraordinary stories of everyday people. Kirti also leads Mission 143, a fundraiser that donates 100% of its proceeds to Lifeline Children’s Services, helping to support vulnerable children and families.
Host: Dr. Rick Morton
Dr. Rick Morton is the Vice President of Engagement at Lifeline Children’s Services.
Dr. Rick Morton is the Vice President of Engagement at Lifeline Children’s Services.
Resources & Next Steps:
💙 Support Adoption & Advocacy
At Lifeline Children’s Services, we equip families with gospel-centered training and resources to care for vulnerable children. If you’re considering adoption or looking for ways to support adoptive families, we are here to help.
💙 Support Adoption & Advocacy
At Lifeline Children’s Services, we equip families with gospel-centered training and resources to care for vulnerable children. If you’re considering adoption or looking for ways to support adoptive families, we are here to help.
🛍️ Shop & Support:
Mission 143 donates 100% of its proceeds to Lifeline Children’s Services. Every purchase helps support adoption and orphan care.
🔗 Shop Mission 143: Mission143Store.com
Mission 143 donates 100% of its proceeds to Lifeline Children’s Services. Every purchase helps support adoption and orphan care.
🔗 Shop Mission 143: Mission143Store.com
📖 About Lifeline Children’s Services:
Our mission is to equip the Body of Christ to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children. Our vision is for children and communities to be transformed by the gospel and to make disciples.
Our mission is to equip the Body of Christ to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children. Our vision is for children and communities to be transformed by the gospel and to make disciples.
📲 Follow Lifeline: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
🎙️ Listen & Subscribe to The Defender Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Transistor
📖 Join The Defender Bible Study:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Transistor
🎙️ Listen & Subscribe to The Defender Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Transistor
📖 Join The Defender Bible Study:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Transistor
Creators and Guests
Host
Rick Morton
As Vice President of Engagement, Rick Morton shepherds the ministry’s outreach to individual, church, 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. Prior to Lifeline, Rick served for 15 years as a college and seminary professor, and he also served local churches in Tennessee, Louisiana, and Mississippi. He is an accomplished writer and sought after speaker. Most notably, Rick is the co-author of the popular Orphanology: Awakening to Gospel-centered Adoption and Orphan Care and the author of KnowOrphans: Mobilizing the Church for Global Orphanology. Rick and his lovely wife Denise have been married for over 32 years, and they have 3 children, all of whom joined their family through international adoption. God has continued to grow their family, and he now enjoys the role of “Doc” to his precious granddaughter!
Guest
Kirti Pickard
Kirti Pickard was born in India and adopted at the age of four, giving her a deep, firsthand understanding of the profound impact adoption can have on a person’s life. She is continually grateful for God's sovereign hand in her journey. In response to her own adoption, Kirti is committed to serving both God and others, striving to live out the calling of James 1:27 in all that she does. Kirti is the host of When I Grow Up, a podcast that shares the extraordinary stories of people whom society deems “ordinary.” She believes that everyone has God-given desires and gifts, and her mission is to help them share what God has done in and through them in their everyday lives. “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” – Philippians 2:13 (NLT) She also leads Mission 143, a fundraiser that benefits Lifeline Children's Services. Through this partnership, 100% of the proceeds from the Mission 143 store go directly to supporting Lifeline and their mission to impact vulnerable children and families.