The Changing Landscape of the Pro-Life Movement: A Conversation with Jor-El Godsey
In this episode of The Defender Podcast, Herbie Newell is joined by Jor-El Godsey, president of Heartbeat International, to discuss the evolving landscape of the pro-life movement. Heartbeat International is at the forefront of supporting pregnancy help centers, maternity homes, and adoption services worldwide. Jor-El shares his insights on how the abortion industry is shifting, with a rise in chemical abortions and telecare options, and how Heartbeat is responding by empowering leaders and providing essential resources to meet women where they are. As we observe Sanctity of Life Month, Herbie and Jor-El also discuss the importance of equipping churches and communities to engage in the pro-life movement with practical tools, resources, and guidance.
GUEST
Jor-El Godsey is the President of Heartbeat International, leading a dedicated team that supports pregnancy help centers, maternity homes, and adoption services worldwide. His mission is to empower leaders in the pregnancy help movement by providing training, resources, and daily support to assist affiliates in serving women and couples at risk for abortion. Jor-El has been involved in this movement since 1988, starting as a volunteer at Hope in Ft. Lauderdale, then serving on the board and as Executive Administrator. He became the Executive Director of Life Choices in Longmont, Colorado, in 1999, and joined Heartbeat International as Vice-President in 2006. As the second President in the organization’s history, he emphasizes the importance of collaboration. Jor-El lives in Columbus, Ohio, with his wife, Karen, and their three children.
HOST
Herbie Newell is the President & Executive Director of Lifeline Children’s Services and its ministry arms.
OPTION LINE
If you're facing an unplanned pregnancy and feeling overwhelmed, you're not alone. Whether you're wondering if you're pregnant, considering emergency contraception, or thinking about your options, we're here to help. Call 1-800-712-4357 or text the same number for support and resources. You can also find a center near you to speak with someone who can offer guidance and care. Whatever you're going through, there is help available—you're in the right place.
If you're facing an unplanned pregnancy and feeling overwhelmed, you're not alone. Whether you're wondering if you're pregnant, considering emergency contraception, or thinking about your options, we're here to help. Call 1-800-712-4357 or text the same number for support and resources. You can also find a center near you to speak with someone who can offer guidance and care. Whatever you're going through, there is help available—you're in the right place.
SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE
We continue to highlight Sanctity of Human Life month and the vital role we all play in standing for life. Established by Ronald Reagan in 1984, this observance takes place on the third Sunday of January to remind us of our responsibility to value and protect every human life. We believe that effective action starts with being equipped, which is why we're excited to share a resource guide tailored for churches. This guide will help your congregation engage deeply with the pro-life movement, providing practical tools for discussion, prayer, and outreach. Join us as we explore how you can download this resource and empower your church to stand boldly for life! To access the resource guide, visit LifelineChild.org/Sanctity.
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.
Guest
Jor-El Godsey
Jor-El Godsey serves as President of Heartbeat International. He leads a staff dedicated to equipping, empowering, and encouraging the thousands of leaders and developing leaders of Heartbeat’s affiliated pregnancy help centers, maternity homes, and adoption services, in the U.S. and on every inhabited continent. He oversees Heartbeat’s core mission to be the leadership supply line for the growing pregnancy help movement worldwide by providing accurate information, training resources, leadership development conferences, programs, and daily support to help affiliates start, grow, and expand their services to women and couples at risk for abortion. Jor-El comes to Heartbeat having served in the pregnancy help movement since 1988. He first served as a volunteer at Hope, the pregnancy help centers in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Then he joined their board, served as Chair, then as Executive Administrator. In 1999, Jor-El became Executive Director of Life Choices in Longmont, Colorado. Six years later, in 2006, Jor-El accepted the call to help Heartbeat International meet the diverse and expanding leadership needs of the pregnancy help movement as Vice-President. Now serving as the second President in Heartbeat International's 50+ year history, preceded only by Peggy Hartshorn, he continues to remind us all that we are better together. Jor-El met his wife, Karen, at a volunteer training meeting for the Hope Center in Ft. Lauderdale. They currently make their home in Columbus, Ohio, and have three children.