The Better Samaritan Podcast Faith, Policy, and Refugees: What’s Happening and Where Can We Find Hope?
What happens when the very systems meant to help refugees end up hurting them instead?
And what can the Church do to help? In today’s episode, Kent Annan and Dr. Jamie Aten talk with Matthew Soerens from World Relief about the real impact of U.S. refugee policies—especially the dramatic changes under the Trump administration.
Matt pulls back the curtain on what’s happening behind the scenes: families stuck in limbo, staff furloughs at resettlement agencies, and churches stepping in to help. We also talk about how policy decisions can create ripple effects that last for years.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone who cares about justice, faith, and showing up for vulnerable communities. Plus, Matt shares ways churches can advocate, volunteer, and help cut through the noise to create real change.
Explore resources mentioned in the podcast:
(11:27) Christian statement on Refugee Resettlement
(14:10) Notre Dame Study on the economic benefits of refugees
(15:33) Lifeway Research on Evangelical opinions towards immigration
(16:48) The Heritage Foundation research on vetting refugees
(17:39) Study - Immigrant groups are less likely to commit violent crimes than US citizens
(18:03) Research on the connection between refugee resettlement and terrorist activity
(25:36) I Was A Stranger Scripture Reading Challenge
About Matt Soerens
Matthew Soerens is the Vice President of Advocacy and Policy at World Relief, where he provides oversight for all advocacy initiatives and policy positions of World Relief. He also serves as the National Coordinator for the Evangelical Immigration Table, a coalition that advocates for immigration reforms consistent with biblical values. He is the co-author of Inalienable: How Marginalized Kingdom Voices Can Help Save the American Church (2022), Welcoming the Stranger: Justice, Compassion, & Truth in the Immigration Debate (2018), and Seeking Refuge: On the Shores of the Global Refugee Crisis (2016).
Resources from Matt Soerens/World Relief:
“Immigrants, Pets and the Sin of Slander in a Social Media Age
“On the Conservative Divide Over Refugee Resettlement, Where Will Trump Fall?”
State of the Golden Door report (with Open Doors US)
Download your free copy of our Called to Serve: Navigating Your Christian Vocation in Humanitarian, Disaster, and Development Work e-book, which includes articles full of practical advice, insight, and encouragement.
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This episode was produced by WildfireCreative
Theme Song: “Turning Over Tables” by The Brilliance
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The Better Samaritan podcast is produced by the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College, which offers an M.A. in Humanitarian & Disaster Leadership and a Trauma Certificate. To learn more and apply, visit our website. Get your application fee to the HDL M.A. program waived with code TBS25.
Jamie Aten, Ph.D., and Kent Annan, M.Div., co-direct the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College and are the Co-Founders of Spiritual First Aid.
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