Rick Morton
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!
Appears in 542 Episodes
Navigating Grief - Adoptive Family Perspective
Today we will be talking about navigating grief in context of the gospel and from the perspective of an adoptive parent. GUESTLane Jackson is an adoptive mom at Lifeli...
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 Dire...
International Women's Day - Our Global Partners
In honor of International Women's Day, two of our global partners join the podcast to talk about the difference God is making through the work they have done and the w...
Samaritan's Purse - Kristy and Edward Graham
Edward and Kristy Graham join the podcast today to share about the work of Samaritan's Purse in orphan care and caring for vulnerable children. They share about their ...
International Adoption & NEW North Macedonia Program
Karla Thrasher, Senior Director of International Adoption and Jana Lombardo, Director of International Programs, join the Defender podcast with Dr. Rick Morton to talk...
Marriage & Parenting in Accordance with the Gospel
Today on the podcast, Micah and Jamie Steele, a Lifeline adoptive family, talks about their journey in marriage and parenting, specifically children who were brought h...
Allison Centofante - Being Pro-Life Every Day
Today on the podcast, Allison Centofante joins Herbie Newell and Rick Morton to talk about pro-life advocacy and how you can do that in every day life. The fight for l...
The Power of Play
In this episode, Ann Maura Hinton, Program Director of Bridge Educational Services at Lifeline, joins the podcast. Dr. Rick Morton, the vice president of engagement at...
Chelsea Sobolik and Adoption's Impact on her Life
Chelsea Patterson Sobolik is Lifeline's Director of Policy and Advocacy. She joins the podcast today to talk about how adoption has deeply impacted her life. She share...
Conversation with Kevin Sorbo
In this episode, Kevin Sorbo, an actor, producer, and director who has directed and starred in many well-known faith-based movies and shows, joins the Defender podcast...
Coping with Emotional Exhaustion
Do you feel emotionally exhausted? Do you ever feel shame associated with those feelings? In this episode, Kara Clark, one of Lifeline’s casework supervisors and famil...
Best of 2022 - Chapman Family Part 2
For the first episode of 2023, we are taking a look back at one of our most-listened to episodes of 2022. Mary Beth and Steven Curtis Chapman join Herbie and Rick in a...
Best of 2022 - Chapman Family Part 1
We are taking a look back at one of our most listened to episodes of 2022. Mary Beth and Steven Curtis Chapman join Herbie and Rick in a discussion about grief.
A Conversation with the Hicks Family
Today on the podcast, Dr. Rick Morton has a conversation with the Hicks family who has 11 children and has adopted from Ukraine. Their daughter is experiencing signifi...
Navigating Grief During the Holidays with Anna Pawley
In this episode, Herbie Newell has a conversation with Anna Pawley, Lifeline's Post Adoption Manager, about navigating grief during the holidays.
The Healing Power of God and Adoption
In this episode, we take a look back at a conversation Herbie Newell had in August with Simon Benn, an adult adoptee and adoption advocate in the UK. They talk about t...
Navigating the Holidays with Lynn Beckett
Lynn Beckett, Program Manager of Parent Coaching, joins Herbie Newell and Rick Morton to discuss navigating the holidays with a child who has been adopted or fostered ...
Being Thankful Before the Lord
Herbie Newell and Rick Morton take time to reflect on God's goodness and lead us into a posture of being thankful before the Lord as we approach Thanksgiving.
A Domestic Adoption Story
In this episode, Annie and Hudson Moore – domestic adoptive parents, and Amanda Shaw – birth mother, talk with their Pregnancy Counselor, Lauren Eddie about their dome...
The Baird Family's Adoption Story
In this episode, the Baird family joins the podcast to talk about their adoption process to adopt their little girl internationally.
International Adoption with Karla Thrasher
As National Adoption Month is upon us, Karla Thrasher joins the podcast today and discusses the implications of international adoption in 2022, how it has changed over...
Pastor Chris Johnson & Orphan Sunday
Herbie Newell and Dr. Rick Morton are joined by Pastor Chris Johnson, the Vice President of Church Partnerships and Government Affairs at Lifeline. They discuss the si...
Sadie Robertson Huff and Korie Robertson
Herbie Newell interviews Sadie Robertson Huff and Korie Robertson on the podcast today. They discuss their experiences and perspective as an adoptive mother and sister...
Faith and Education: Conversation with Chuck Wolfe
Herbie Newell and Dr. Rick Morton are joined by Chuck Wolfe, the founder and CEO of Faith Academics. They talk about the importance of Christian education in various s...
Equipping the Global Church
Beth and Oscar Perez join the Defender Podcast to talk about the importance of equipping the global church to serve the vulnerable in their communities. Beth is the Di...
A Conversation with Krupa
Herbie and Dr. Rick continue the series on our global partners in light of the Global Orphan Care Conference in July 2022. They have a conversation with Krupa, one of ...
A Conversation with Petry Groza
Herbie and Dr. Rick continue the series on our global partners in light of the Global Orphan Care Conference in July 2022. They have a conversation with Petry Groza, o...
Lifemark Interviews
Rick Morton and Herbie Newell attended the world premiere of Lifemark, a Kirk Cameron and Kendrick Brothers movie, that will be in theaters September 9-15. Rick got th...
Global Orphan Care Conference Recap
Herbie and Rick recap Lifeline's Global Orphan Care Conference on the podcast today.
The Kendrick Brothers and Lifemark
Alex and Stephen Kendrick, the creators of War Room and Fireproof, join Herbie and Rick on the podcast to discuss their latest film, Lifemark.