Herbert Newell, Executive Director
Herbie Newell holds a master’s in Accounting from Samford University. He joined the Lifeline staff in 2003 as executive director/administrator. From January 2004 – December 2008 he served as the president of the Alabama Adoption Coalition. Herbie was chosen as a Hague Intercountry Adoption evaluator and team leader by COA in 2006 and serves in that capacity currently. In 2008, Herbie helped in founding the National Christian Adoption Fellowship for which he currently serves as Chairman of the Board. He and his wife Ashley live in Birmingham. Ashley is the former assistant Director of Sav-a-Life Vestavia Hills. Herbie worked with Warren, Averett, a prominent accounting firm for 4 years in auditing before God lead him to Lifeline. Herbie and Ashley are parents to son, Caleb, and daughters, Adelynn and Emily; Ashley is now a full-time mom.
Dave Wood, International Director
Dave Wood holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Theology from Liberty University. He comes to us with over 25 years of professional experience working with families and children. Dave has served in most every pastoral position along with serving as Director of Precious Child, a crisis pregnancy center. Dave’s passion is finding incredible families for orphaned children through the avenue of International adoption. Dave is married to Johnna and they are the proud parents of three children, Katie, Kristen, and Harrision.
Amy Floyd, (un)adopted Coordinator
Amy earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Auburn University in 2008. Before joining Lifeline in 2011 Amy served on the mission field in East Asia for 2 years. Amy is currently working on her graduated degree from Beeson Divinity School. She is working with our (un)adopted ministry and enjoys all the ends and outs that goes into her position as (un)adopted coordinator. Amy is thankful to be a part of this ministry and excited to see the hope of the gospel transform communities of disenfranchised orphans and abandoned children.
Jessica Dixon, (un)adopted Assistant Coordinator
Jessica joined Lifeline in January, 2012 and loves being part of the (un)adopted team. She graduated from The University of Alabama in Communications with a Masters in Sport Management. Before joining the Lifeline family, Jessica lived in north India for six months helping develop a skill center for slum-dwelling women. She is passionate about ministering to impoverished and abandoned women and children, sharing the gospel of Christ with those the world would say are hopeless, and advocating on their behalf. Jessica is humbled and thankful to see the heart of our Heavenly Father on display each day in the ministry of (un)adopted.
Garth Thorpe, (un)adopted Field Coordinator
Garth is originally from Annapolis, MD where he grew up on the Severn River and Chesapeake Bay crabbing and fishing. He graduated college from Multnomah University in Portland, OR with a degree in Bible and Theology and Educational Ministries. After college, Garth served as a missionary for 2 years in Bangladesh working with Muslim refugees translating an unwritten language into oral Bible stories. After this he worked at an outdoor alternative educational school where we lived with troubled youth year-round outside teaching life-skills and planning various backpacking and canoeing adventures. Now, Garth feels blessed to be apart of the (un)adopted team where he will be facilitating in-country orphan care projects in various capacities.
The Little Family, Missionaries to the Dominican Republic
Jason and Michelle Little and their daughters, Kaelyn and Marli, are members of Shades Mountain Independent Church in Birmingham, AL. Born and raised in small town Mississippi, Jason and Michelle experienced the hurt of broken families before God brought them together.
At age 12 Michelle lost her father; at 13 Jason lost his mother. They spent their teenage years in the drug culture surrounding Memphis, TN. After years of anger and rebellion toward God, their eyes were opened to God’s love for them displayed in Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross and God’s raising Him from the dead to give new life to those who believe.
They were married in 1995 and began searching for God’s leadership in raising their family. They have 3 daughters: Brittney (23), Kaelyn (16), and Marli (13). They have been serving full-time with (un)adopted in the Dominican Republic since June 2011. Their mission is to disciple orphans and street kids and prepare them for life in the Gospel. When they have the opportunity, the Littles enjoy the beach, the outdoors, watching movies, reading and building relationships. Kaelyn enjoys playing guitar, volleyball and reading. Marli enjoys cooking and loves animals.
Click here to view a map of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.
You can contact them directly by email at either jason.little@unadopted.org or michelle.little@unadopted.org. They also can be reached at 205.305.6995(Jason) or 205.540.2778(Michelle).
