World Relief Promotes Refugee Resettlement Efforts in Spokane and Advocates for Greater Community Engagement
Matthew Soerens, Vice President for Advocacy and Policy at World Relief and coauthor of Welcoming the Stranger: Justice, Compassion and Truth in the Immigration Debate will visit the organization’s Spokane location this Wednesday and plans to speak at a number of scheduled events in the area. Soerens hopes to encourage the local community to extend greater support to vulnerable immigrants and refugees.
On March 15, Soerens will lead a Lunch and Learn event at the Spokane Public Library from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm. Registration for the event, “Building Communities of Welcome,” is open to the public and will be centered on exploring God’s heart for immigrants and refugees and how communities can participate in providing resources and support that help them settle into their new homes.
“Throughout Scripture, we see repeated proof that God cares uniquely for the vulnerable and the stranger. As refugees continue to join our communities, our interactions with them are an opportunity to reflect God’s heart,” said Soerens. “At World Relief, we have seen time and again refugees’ greatest need is support as they navigate an unfamiliar culture and seek to rebuild their lives in a new country. For the last 30 years, our office in Spokane has risen up to do just that – and our communities must continue to join in this work as the need for these services continues to grow.”
Soerens will also use his visit to Spokane as an opportunity to speak about World Relief’s ongoing advocacy efforts for refugees and immigrants in the United States. The World Relief Spokane office joins in these advocacy efforts by partnering with local individuals, churches, and communities to welcome refugees, and is encouraged by federal programs like Welcome Corps, recently launched by the Biden administration, that allow for private refugee sponsorship.
“Supportive communities are one of our greatest resources for welcoming new refugees into our state and empowering them to become contributing members of their new home,” said Christi Armstrong, Executive Director at World Relief Spokane. “Increasing refugee resettlement efforts in Spokane is not only a response to God’s call to love our neighbors, but is also an investment in building stronger communities.”