China Adoptions through a Pandemic
Learn more about how families can engage internationally, specifically through adoption in China.
GUESTS
Karla Thrasher is the Director of International Adoption at Lifeline. She has a degree in social work from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She and her husband Jamie have three precious children, Michael, Mary Allison, and Lucy. She began working with Lifeline in 2001. She works with the international program as a crucial liaison and help for prospective parents. She serves the China program as our stateside liaison working with Lifeline’s expanding Special Needs Program, travel, and families seeking to expand their families through China adoption. “I sincerely enjoy watching our program grow and seeing families some together as a part of God’s perfect plan.” She also serves on Lifeline’s Post Adoption Team and is a TBRI Practitioner.
Karla Thrasher is the Director of International Adoption at Lifeline. She has a degree in social work from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She and her husband Jamie have three precious children, Michael, Mary Allison, and Lucy. She began working with Lifeline in 2001. She works with the international program as a crucial liaison and help for prospective parents. She serves the China program as our stateside liaison working with Lifeline’s expanding Special Needs Program, travel, and families seeking to expand their families through China adoption. “I sincerely enjoy watching our program grow and seeing families some together as a part of God’s perfect plan.” She also serves on Lifeline’s Post Adoption Team and is a TBRI Practitioner.
Sara Wilson is the program manager for China. She joined Lifeline in May of 2019 and is originally from Florence, Alabama. She serves as a social worker on the China Team. Sara attended the University of North Alabama and received her Bachelor’s in social work. She also went to the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and received a Master of Arts degree in Church and Community Ministries. She just finished her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Alabama. Her sweet parents live in Florence, Alabama where she grew up, and her younger brother is a college student in Montgomery, Alabama. Sara loves to read, canoe or kayak, find cool things in antique shops and thrift stores, watch soccer, and cheer for the Saints and Pelicans! Her 3 simple joys are reading a book (one for fun, not for school!), iced vanilla lattes, and watching documentaries! “My favorite thing about working at Lifeline is the way that I get to see James 1:27 lived out every day!”
HOST
Herbie Newell is the President & Executive Director of Lifeline Children’s Services and its ministry arms.
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.
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.
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!