Creators and Guests

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.

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!

Alexis Morris is a pregnancy counselor at Lifeline Children's Services, bringing her expertise and compassion to support individuals facing unexpected pregnancy. Holding a Bachelor's in Social Work from the University of South Alabama, she combines her seasoned professionalism with a strong commitment to the principles outlined in Philippians 2:3-4. Alexis is driven by a desire to harmonize family, career, and her passion for helping others discover order and purpose in their lives.

Angela Mains, MA, LPC-S, TBRI® Practitioner, Registered Play Therapist, joined Lifeline’s team in December 2012. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Family Science from Anderson University, a Master’s Degree in Licensed Professional Counseling from Liberty University, and a certificate in Play Therapy from Capella University. Angela primarily works with attachment and trauma in children, adolescents, and adults, as well as helping people with anxiety, grief, depression, anger, marriage and parenting support. She is a fully certified Theraplay® Therapist, utilizes Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), is a Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) practitioner, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) trained, Certified Theraplay® Trainer, and a Prepare/Enrich Facilitator and Seminar Director. Angela has also been blessed to be able to train in Corrective Attachment Therapy (CAT) with Dr. Terry Levy of the Evergreen Psychotherapy Center. Angela is passionate about attachment and is excited to work with families who have welcomed adopted and foster children into their homes with the hope that God will use her as a vessel of healing in their lives.

Ann Maura joined the Lifeline team in August of 2017 and serves as an Education Specialist. She brings with her over 25 years teaching experiences in a variety of different settings and with a variety of different disabilities. She loves to learn and is constantly looking for new ways to help build a bridge from frustration to hope alongside families in need. She is a certified Cognitive Developmental Therapist and has earned her master’s and undergraduate degree in Special Education. Originally from Madisonville, TN, she headed to the University of Tennessee and earned her master’s degree in special education. Ann Maura is a wife and mom of three, and she loves spending time with them.

Beau Sides is the founder and president of Global Partners In Life, a non-profit organization that excels in assisting orphans, widows, and those with special needs, globally with their humanitarian, educational, and medical needs. Beau considers the children he has served and gotten to know as his friends, and is honored to be a small part of their lives. He is amazed by how abandoned children with medical issues remain happy, and considers those children his teachers. Beau is the author of two books, Lessons from China: A Westerner’s Cultural Education and Unseen Tears: The Challenges of Orphans and Orphanages in China, which share the fictional journeys of international traveler Jan Cross. The first book provides unique insights into current Chinese culture, etiquette, and economic development; and the second book describes the challenges and joys of her involvement with China’s special needs orphans and orphanages.

Chelsea Patterson Sobolik serves as Director of Government Relations at World Relief, a global Christian humanitarian organization and the largest Evangelical refugee resettlement in the U.S. She is also the former Senior Director of Policy & Advocacy at Lifeline Children's Services. She has worked on Capitol Hill on pro-life policies, domestic and international religious freedom, adoption, and foster care issues. Chelsea has been published at the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The Gospel Coalition, Christianity Today, and others. She is the author of Longing for Motherhood – Holding onto Hope in the Midst of Childlessness, and Called to Cultivate: A Gospel Vision for Women and Work. She has a B.A. in International Relations from Liberty University, and lives in Washington, D.C. with her husband Michael. She and Michael became parents through international adoption, welcoming home their son this past year.

Jana is a Licensed Social Worker who has served at Lifeline Children’s Services since she graduated from Auburn University in 1996. She currently serves as the Senior Program Director for Lifeline and embraces overseeing international adoption programs and leading and coaching her teammates. Jana began her time at Lifeline working in domestic adoption, birth mother counseling, and foster care. From 2002 to 2019, Jana was the Eurasia Program Director. While serving as Eurasia program director, she developed and facilitated international adoption programs for Bulgaria, Hungary, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Macedonia, Poland, Romania, and Ukraine. In addition to her current role, Jana is certified by the TCU Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development as a TBRI practitioner. She has taught many subjects including attachment styles, caregiving, and behavior response. Jana has been honored to use her teaching skills domestically and internationally with families, teammates, and the countries she serves. She and her husband Luke have two boys and a beautiful daughter-in-law. Their oldest son graduated from the Capstone College of Nursing at The University of Alabama in May of 2021 and is recently married. Their youngest son is currently studying Aerospace Engineering at The University of Alabama.

Jessica Cumbers serves as a caseworker on the South Carolina team. She is originally from South Carolina and attended the University of South Carolina, where she received both her bachelor's and master's degrees in social work. She also holds her social work license (LMSW) through the state of South Carolina.

Julie Lowe is an author, speaker, and counselor. She holds an MA in counseling from Biblical Theological Seminary, is a licensed professional counselor with over twenty-five years of counseling experience, and is a registered play therapist supervisor. Julie served as a faculty member at the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF) for over 20 years and has lectured and taught at Missio Seminary and Westminster Theological Seminary. Julie and her husband, Greg, live in the Philadelphia, PA area and have five children. They have served for over 20 years as foster and adoptive parents.

Justin serves as the Director of Programs at Show Hope. He grew up in Arkansas (go Hogs!), but has spent time in China, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Justin has many passions—the local church, international missions, refugees—but is most excited about investing his working hours in others navigating adoption. He and his wife, Bonnie, are the adoptive parents of two kiddos, Hosanna and Asher. Justin has a Masters of Divinity in Missions and a Masters in Business Administration, which he has used in retail, nonprofit, and church settings over the past 10 years. Justin’s favorite part of Nashville life right now is following along with its stellar MLS team, Nashville SC, and welcoming new neighbors from all walks of life.

Kara Clark, LCSW, serves as the Louisiana Casework Supervisor and as a family therapist in Crowley, Louisiana. Kara holds a BA in Sociology from Howard Payne University, a master's in social work from the University of Texas in Arlington, Texas, and a master's in ministry-Based Evangelism from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas. Kara is happily married to her college best friend, Dr. Cullen T. Clark, who serves as the pastor at FBC Crowley and also teaches church history at Howard Payne University. Together, they are blessed with three wonderful children: Elizabeth, William, and Jakob.

Karla Thrasher is a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a licensed social worker. She is also a TBRI® Practitioner, certified by the TCU Karen Purvis Institute of Child Development. Karla has been on staff at Lifeline since 2001 and currently serves as the Director of International Adoption. In her role, Karla is privileged to manage the day to day of Lifeline’s International Department and provide leadership to the international team. She coordinates with other Lifeline departments and outside ministry partners to better serve waiting children and families. Some of the specific focuses in Karla’s role at Lifeline are government compliance, customer service and quality assurance.  She considers it a great honor to share the gospel through the gift of adoption! Karla lives in Birmingham, AL with her husband Jamie. They have three adult children. Karla’s family are her biggest cheerleaders in her ministry at Lifeline.

Lynn graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in social work. She worked in the area of foster care and adoption in Georgia and Virginia before joining Lifeline staff in 1989. She became a TBRI® Practitioner in 2016 and a certified Parent Coach with Connected Families in 2021. She is the manager of the Parent Coaching Services for Lifeline. Lynn feels that it is a privilege to be a part of Lifeline and to support families in their parenting journey. She is married to Brian and they have two daughters, two sons in law and three grandchildren.

McKenzie Bussman serves as an International Social Worker on the Asia team. McKenzie graduated in 2017 from Samford University with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and from the University of Alabama with her master's in social work.

Chris joined Lifeline in March, 2020, and serves as the VP of Church Partnerships and Government Affairs. 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.

Rev. Zach Coffin has been pastoring since he was 19 years old and preaching since he was 16 years old. With an extensive background in ministry and leadership, Zach has served in various capacities, including children's pastor, youth pastor, and next-gen pastor, in churches of all sizes. Most recently, Zach served as the Director of Next Generation Ministries for The Wesleyan Church World Headquarters. His commitment to empowering individuals and churches to embrace a Holy Spirit-led life and ministry is evident through his passionate preaching, thought-provoking teachings, and presence-driven coaching. Zach coaches and trains churches, organizations, and their leadership how to embrace a presence-driven approach to life and leadership. He has two bachelor's degrees in Christian Ministry and Christian Education from Indiana Wesleyan University. A master's degree in Pastoral Theology from Kingswood University, with his final project focusing on "Living for Revival." In 2022, Zach received the "Distinguished Alumni Award" from Indiana Wesleyan University for his contribution to the next generation and ministry. Zach and his wife, Becca, have been married for 16 years, love teaching people how to live presence-driven lives, and love to pray over people. Florida is now home and they spend most of their summers traveling in their RV preaching at churches and camps. They have two strong daughters.