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Is international adoption still a viable path for Christian families? In Episode 2 of the Defender Podcast, host Ken Norwood sits down with Herbie Newell (President & Executive Director, Lifeline Children's Services), Carla Thrasher (VP of International Programs), and Ford Reasons to unpack the real story behind international adoption — the challenges, the changes, the calling, and the hope.

They discuss how Lifeline views adoption through the lens of the gospel, why a "defender posture" matters for vulnerable children, how international adoption has shifted over 25 years, and what keeps families from taking the first step. Plus, Carla shares details on Lifeline's HOPE Adoption Scholarship — $2,500 off your first agency fee for qualifying families.

Whether you're curious, called, or just starting to pray about it, this episode will equip and encourage you.

CHAPTERS

0:00 — Welcome and introductions 0:45 — Why international adoption matters to Lifeline 2:37 — What it means to have a "defender posture" 4:52 — What sets Lifeline apart in international adoption 7:13 — Post-adoption care and support 9:31 — Overcoming the two biggest barriers: finances and the unknown 11:55 — How international adoption has changed over 25 years 14:11 — A word to younger families considering adoption 16:37 — Walking with families through the process 18:49 — The HOPE Adoption Scholarship and how to apply

TAKE THE NEXT STEP

Fill out an interest form: https://www.lifelinechild.org HOPE Adoption Scholarship — $2,500 off your first agency fee (limited to 10 families, applications open through May) Already on the journey? Consider giving to the HOPE Scholarship so others can follow.

CONNECT WITH LIFELINE

Website: https://www.lifelinechild.org Instagram: @lifelinechildren Facebook: Lifeline Children's Services

Subscribe, like, and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode of the Defender Podcast. If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend or family member who might be curious about international adoption.

The Defender Podcast is officially rebooted. Hosted by Rob Ingram, Ken Norwood, Herbie Newell, and Ford Reasons, we're back with a simple mission: give you practical, gospel-rooted tools to defend the fatherless in about 10 minutes a week.

In Episode 1, we introduce the new crew, unpack the biblical vision behind this podcast rooted in Isaiah 1:17, and give you a first look at Lifeline's biggest initiative of the year, the 19 in 19 road trip, 19 states in 19 days starting June 8th.

Whether you're a pastor, a donor, a foster or adoptive parent, or just someone who wants to do something for vulnerable children, this podcast is for you.

🔔 Subscribe and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode. New episodes every Wednesday.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Welcome and Meet the Hosts 02:27 What to Expect from the Defender Podcast 04:00 Who Is This Podcast For? 04:45 The Biblical Vision: Isaiah 1:17 and Defending the Fatherless 06:50 Lifeline's 19-State Ministry Presence 08:45 Introducing the 19 in 19 Road Trip 11:00 PRC Partnerships and the Giving Day Campaign 13:09 Pulling Back the Curtain on Lifeline 15:35 Ford Recites All 19 States (and the Final Challenge

In this episode of The Table, Rick Morton is joined by Chelsea Sobolik and Emily Richards to discuss the nuanced and often messy realities of child welfare, foster care, reunification, and community engagement. They explore how relational poverty and community connections impact vulnerable children and families, emphasizing the importance of humility, creativity, and long-term thinking for the church and advocates.

Key topics covered:

The emotional and trauma-related complexities of reunification after foster care

The gap in formalizing respite care and kinship connections at the systemic level

The importance of community involvement and church engagement in supporting child welfare

How relational poverty contributes to family instability and the power of positive community bonds

The role of faith and the church in fostering relational healing and providing long-term support

Practical ways to mobilize local communities, including micro-nurturing hope and forming intervention networks

The danger of systems and policies that focus only on immediate needs versus long-term relationship building

The significance of long-term, ongoing relationships and the power of small, consistent acts of kindness

The ongoing tension between hope in the gospel and the brokenness of the human systems in place

Encouragement for believers to embrace hard, relational work as part of living out their faith

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction: The importance of community and relational solutions in child welfare

02:21 - Challenges around formal respite care and systemic gaps

04:50 - The messiness of reunification and attachment trauma

09:02 - The power of positive interactions and community connections

15:00 - The church's role in fostering relational flourishing

20:00 - Long-term perspective in foster care and the importance of community over projects

25:00 - Handling trauma post-adoption and systemic barriers

33:00 - The significance of long obedience and faithfulness in the work of child welfare

38:00 - The church as the long-term community sustaining vulnerable families

43:00 - The importance of honesty about the brokenness and reliance on God's grace

48:00 - Inviting action: How everyday believers can make a difference
Resources & Links:

This episode challenges believers and child welfare advocates alike to consider how they can leverage relational work, systemic humility, and faithfulness to transform broken systems and seed long-lasting hope in their communities.