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.

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!

Gregg Matte is the senior pastor of Houston’s First Baptist Church. Under his leadership, this historic church founded in 1841 has moved to the cutting edge of ministry and experienced tremendous growth, including the addition of four campuses in the greater Houston area. Before coming to Houston in 2004, Gregg founded Breakaway Ministries at Texas A&M University — the largest college Bible study in the nation. What started with 12 participants in his apartment grew to a weekly gathering of more than 4,000 students each Tuesday night under his leadership. He continues to serve on Breakaway’s Board of Directors. Gregg is the author of: Salvation Has Come: 25 Christmas Devotions in Luke (2023) Capture the Moment: 365-Day Devotional (2021) Difference Makers (2019) Unstoppable Gospel (2015) I AM Changes Who i Am (2012) Birds and Bees: A Conversation about God, Sex, and Sexuality (2012) - Bible study guide Finding God’s Will (2010) The Highest Education: Becoming a Godly Man (2000) - Bible study guide In addition to his role as senior pastor at Houston's First, Gregg serves on the Boards of Houston Christian High School and Breakaway Ministries. He also serves on the Board of Trustees at Houston Christian University, and has served as Chairman of the Board, as well. Gregg holds a Bachelor’s degree in marketing from Texas A&M and a Master’s degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. In 2011, Gregg received the Outstanding Alumni Award from the Mays Business School at Texas A&M. He was the first pastor to receive the honor in the history of the award. Gregg married Kelly in 1997 and together they have a son and a daughter, Greyson (2001) and Valerie (2008).