Orphan Sunday: A Call to Action for the Church with Pastor Chris Johnson
In this special episode of The Defender Podcast, host Herbie Newell and Dr. Rick Morton are joined by Pastor Chris Johnson, Lifeline’s Senior Director of Church Partnerships and External Advocacy. Pastor Chris shares the inspiring story behind Orphan Sunday, a movement that started in Zambia and has become a global call for the church to care for orphans and vulnerable children. Discover how your church can engage in this important cause, using resources and tools from Lifeline Children’s Services, and learn why caring for the vulnerable is not just a one-day event but an essential part of our discipleship journey.
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Chris joined Lifeline in March 2020 as the Sr. Director of Church Partnerships & External Advocacy. With 24 years as a pastor and experience as the Executive Director of the Kentucky Governor’s Office of Faith and Community-Based Initiatives, Chris has spoken widely about caring for vulnerable children and families. He holds a B.A. in Church Ministries from Trinity Baptist College and an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Regent University. Chris and his wife, Alicia, have 10 children (7 adopted) and 6 grandchildren, and have fostered over 40 children. He enjoys family time, reading, and cheering on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
HOST
Herbie Newell is the President & Executive Director of Lifeline Children’s Services and its ministry arms.
CO-HOST
Dr. Rick Morton is the Vice President of Engagement at Lifeline Children's Services.
Orphan Sunday
Orphan Sunday is a powerful opportunity for your church to raise awareness and take action on behalf of the fatherless. Lifeline Children’s Services is here to help you speak up for the voiceless, providing everything you need to equip your church. From videos and slides to prayer cards, sermon guides, and small group materials, Lifeline’s resource page is packed with tools to help your congregation respond to the plight of the 140 million orphaned and vulnerable children around the world.
We invite you to partner with us this Orphan Sunday. And if you'd like a speaker to share this message at your church, Lifeline’s leaders—including Herbie Newell, Chris Johnson, and Dr. Rick Morton —are available to inspire your congregation to defend the vulnerable and respond to God’s call.
Visit LifelineChild.org/orphan to access these resources and learn more about how you can get involved.
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
Pastor Chris Johnson
Chris joined Lifeline in March, 2020, and serves as the Sr. Director of Church Partnerships & External Advocacy. He previously served as a pastor for 24 years and as the Executive Director of the Kentucky Governor’s Office of Faith and Community Based Initiatives. Chris has also served as a consultant and has been a frequent speaker at local, state, and national conferences, churches, and community gatherings, sharing his family’s story and challenging others to answer the gospel call to care for vulnerable children and families. He was born and raised in metro Atlanta, GA, and currently lives in Birmingham. Chris studied Church Ministries (B.A.) at Trinity Baptist College and Educational Leadership (M.Ed.) at Regent University. He and his amazing wife, Alicia, have 10 children (7 adopted from foster care) and 3 grandchildren (2 adopted from foster care). They have also served as foster parents to more than 40 children.