Empowering Churches to Care: A Conversation with Andy Cook of Promise 686
In this episode of The Defender Podcast, Herbie Newell and Dr. Rick Morton welcome Andy Cook, President and CEO of Promise 686, a ministry dedicated to equipping churches to serve vulnerable children and families. Andy shares his journey of starting Promise 686, rooted in the biblical mandate of Psalm 68:6, and the organization’s model, Family Advocacy Ministries (FAM), which helps churches launch sustainable ministries for foster, adoptive, and biological families in crisis. The conversation highlights the importance of collaboration in orphan care, particularly through partnerships like the one between Promise 686 and Lifeline Children Services. Herbie and Andy reflect on their journey to work together, emphasizing value alignment, humility, and the shared vision of seeing families supported and children placed in loving homes.
GUEST
Andy Cook | President and CEO - Andy began his leadership of Promise686 in 2013 after serving as a founding board member for the previous five years. He attended Washington and Lee University receiving a Bachelor of Art in English, and he received a Master of Arts in Religion from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, with a concentration in Ethics. Before coming to Promise686, Andy served in various leadership roles at Wesleyan School, a K-12 independent Christian school. During his ten years at Wesleyan he was the Director of Development and the Director of Admissions. He and his wife, Martha, have ten children and have adopted both domestically and internationally.
HOST
Herbie Newell is the President & Executive Director of Lifeline Children’s Services and its ministry arms.
EQUIPPING CHURCHES FOR MINISTRY TO VULNERABLE CHILDREN
We’re excited to announce that Lifeline Children's Services has teamed up with Promise686 to empower churches to serve vulnerable children and families. Ministry to at-risk kids and families requires faith, commitment, and resources, and we are deeply grateful for every church willing to take on this mission.
Through this partnership, Promise686 provides a structured model called Family Advocacy Ministries (FAMs) to guide churches in building and sustaining ministries that make a lasting impact. FAMs equips church volunteers to come alongside foster families, adoptive families, and biological families in crisis, ensuring children find safety and love within their communities.
If your church is interested in getting involved, visit LifelineChild.org/FAM
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.
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
Andy Cook
Andy Cook | President and CEO - Andy began his leadership of Promise686 in 2013 after serving as a founding board member for the previous five years. He attended Washington and Lee University receiving a Bachelor of Art in English, and he received a Master of Arts in Religion from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, with a concentration in Ethics. Before coming to Promise686, Andy served in various leadership roles at Wesleyan School, a K-12 independent Christian school. During his ten years at Wesleyan he was the Director of Development and the Director of Admissions. He and his wife, Martha, have ten children and have adopted both domestically and internationally.