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!
Appears in 557 Episodes
The Wates Family's Foster Care Journey
Today on the podcast, in honor of Foster Care Awareness Month, Katherine and Garrett Wates join the podcast to talk about their journey as foster parents.GUESTKatherin...
Mothering with Scarlet Hiltibidal
Today on the podcast, in honor of Mother's Day and Birth Mother's Day coming up, Scarlet Hiltibidal, an international adoptive mom, joins and shares about her journey ...
Navigating Grief Part 3 - Adult Adoptee Perspective
We are glad you joined us for part three of the grief series! Julie Scott, an adult adoptee, recently shared her testimony at Rooted in Love, Lifeline's conference for...
Part 2: Summers Family Story - Raising a Child with Autism
We are glad you joined us for part two of the podcast with the Summers family! Today, we are joined by Katie and Taylor Summers who adopted their son, Jonas, from Hung...
Part 1: Summers Family Story - Raising a Child with Autism
Today, we are joined by Katie and Taylor Summers who adopted their son, Jonas, from Hungary. They talk about the gift of adoption and the blessings and challenges of b...
Conversation with Lisa Qualls and Melissa Corkum
Today, we will be talking with Lisa Qualls and Melissa Corkum, authors of their new book called Reclaimed Compassion: The Adoptive Parent's Guide to Overcoming Blocked...
Celebrating Easter
Today, Dr. Rick Morton and Herbie Newell will be leading us through a discussion talking about our risen Savior and celebrating Easter. GUESTDr. Rick Morton is the VP ...
Navigating Grief Part 2 - Birth & Foster Parents
Today, in part two of the grief series, we will be talking about navigating grief in context of the gospel and from the perspective of birth families and foster famili...
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...