Social Work Month and an Adoption Story
- In honor of National Social Work Month, one of Lifeline's amazing social workers, Susannah Ayers, joins the podcast alongside of Jeremy Simpson, Lifeline's Senior Director of Operations/Alabama State Director to share the adoption story of Jeremy's daughter through Lifeline's India program. Susannah was the social worker throughout the whole adoption process for Jeremy and his wife, Courtney. In this episode, you will hear about the immense impact social workers have on others' lives and Jeremy and Courtney's heart for and journey to adopting their daughter.
GUEST
- Susannah Ayers, LMSW, is a licensed social worker for the India program at Lifeline Children's Services. Jeremy Simpson is the Senior Director of Operations/Alabama State Director at Lifeline. He and his wife Courtney adopted their daughter through the India program 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
- At Lifeline, we are grateful for our social workers and the immense care and compassion they bring to our families.
- Our social workers serve families as they walk alongside families in joyous and difficult journeys. They are essential to God’s ministry through Lifeline.
- This social worker month, we celebrate all they are and all they do for God’s glory at Lifeline.
- If you’d like to join our team as a social worker visit https://lifelinechild.org/careers/ to see open positions around the country.
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
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!