The Wates Family's Foster Care Journey

  • Today on the podcast, in honor of Foster Care Awareness Month, Katherine and Garrett Wates join the podcast to talk about their journey as foster parents.
GUEST
  • Katherine and Garrett Wates met at Auburn University and have a biological daughter named Birdie. They are licensed foster parents and over the span of 18 months, they have already had four placements. 
HOST
  • Herbie Newell is the President & Executive Director of Lifeline Children’s Services and its ministry arms.
CO-HOST
  • Rick Morton is the Vice President of Engagement at Lifeline Children's Services.
RESOURCES
  • May is Foster Care Awareness Month. 
  • Did you know that there are roughly 430,000 children in foster care in the U.S., and they wait in foster care on average 18 months before permanency is achieved. 
  • Children need families who will love them through these days, and families need support as they say “yes” to the need. 
  • If you would like information on becoming a foster parent or would like resources in supporting foster families visit https://lifelinechild.org/foster-care/
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. 
  • Web: lifelinechild.org
  • Email: info@lifelinechild.org
  • Facebook, Instagram, Twitter: @lifelinechild
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Creators and Guests

Herbie Newell
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.
Rick Morton
Host
Rick Morton
As Senior 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!