Championing Life in 2025
In this first episode of 2025, Herbie Newell is joined by Pastor Chris Johnson, Lifeline Children's Services' Senior Director of Church Partnerships, to discuss the significance of Sanctity of Human Life Month. Pastor Chris, a seasoned pastor and adoptive father of seven, shares how valuing and protecting life is central to Lifeline’s mission. Together, they reflect on the evolution of the pro-life conversation, particularly since the Dobbs decision in 2022, and highlight practical ways churches and individuals can champion the intrinsic worth of every human life as we begin a new year.
GUEST
Chris Johnson is the Sr. Director of Church Partnerships at Lifeline Children’s Services and has over 20 years of pastoral experience. Based in Birmingham, Alabama, he and his wife Alicia have 10 children, seven of whom are adopted, are proud grandparents, and have fostered over 40 kids. Chris holds a B.A. in Church Ministries and an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership.
HOST
Herbie Newell is the President & Executive Director of Lifeline Children’s Services and its ministry arms.
SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE
Today, we want to shine a light on the Sanctity of Human Life, a meaningful observance that takes place on the third Sunday of January. In 1984, President Ronald Reagan declared this day to remind us of the importance of valuing and protecting life. It’s a time for churches nationwide to come together to pray, discuss, and take action for the voiceless. Lifeline Child has resources available to support your church’s efforts in standing for life, with speakers and materials that can help make an impact in your community. To learn more about how you can engage with this vital cause, visit LifelineChild.org/Sanctity.
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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Creators and Guests
Host
Herbie Newell
Herbie Newell serves as the President & Executive Director of Lifeline Children’s Services, holds an MBA in Accounting from Samford University and brings years of experience from his work as an independent auditor at WAKM Companies, LLC. Serving as Lifeline's Executive Director since 2003, Herbie has significantly expanded international outreach, obtained licensure in 17 states, and led the establishment of the foster care arm. A passionate advocate, he co-founded (un)adopted in 2009, focusing on equipping orphaned children with life skills for community transformation. Herbie, also the author of "Image Bearers: Shifting from Pro-birth to Pro-Life," emphasizes that being pro-life extends beyond opposing abortion, urging a broader ethic that includes fighting for racial equality and embracing every individual with the love of Christ. Herbie and his wife, Ashley, reside in Birmingham, Alabama, and are the parents to three children.
Guest
Pastor Chris Johnson
Chris joined Lifeline in March, 2020, and serves as the Sr. Director of Church Partnerships & External Advocacy. He previously served as a pastor for 24 years and as the Executive Director of the Kentucky Governor’s Office of Faith and Community Based Initiatives. Chris has also served as a consultant and has been a frequent speaker at local, state, and national conferences, churches, and community gatherings, sharing his family’s story and challenging others to answer the gospel call to care for vulnerable children and families. He was born and raised in metro Atlanta, GA, and currently lives in Birmingham. Chris studied Church Ministries (B.A.) at Trinity Baptist College and Educational Leadership (M.Ed.) at Regent University. He and his amazing wife, Alicia, have 10 children (7 adopted from foster care) and 3 grandchildren (2 adopted from foster care). They have also served as foster parents to more than 40 children.