How can churches fill in the gap when families are in need?

How can churches fill in the gap when families are in need?

  • Today on the podcast, Nancy Osborne and Brent Eliason join and talk about Harbor Families and how the Lord is working through this ministry. Many families do not have informal supports in place, like friends and family, to fill in the gap when they are in need. Harbor Families equips churches to fill in this gap for families to get them through crises. 
GUEST
  • Nancy Osborne is the Senior Director of Foster Care and Family Preservation at Lifeline. Brent Eliason is the Program Manager of Harbor Families in South Dakota at Lifeline. 
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
  • Many churches dedicate a Sunday to raise awareness of the needs of orphans worldwide. 
  • Lifeline partners with churches with information on the needs of orphans as well as how we can get involved to meet those needs. 
  • Although churches can choose any Sunday during the year, the designated day for Orphan Sunday this year is November 12. 
  • Lifeline has created a resource page full of free videos, slides, handouts, a prayer card, sample sermons, small group guides, and more. 
  • Partner with us to speak up for the voiceless. Get more information or request a Lifeline speaker for your church at  https://lifelinechild.org/orphan-sunday
 
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
  • The Defender Podcast: Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher | Spotify
  • The Defender Bible Study: Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher | Spotify

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 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!