World Relief SoCal’s San Diego Office to Host Pastors Coffee Talk on Faith and Immigration with its VP of Advocacy and Policy, Author Matthew Soerens Wed., Sept. 24  

MEDIA ADVISORY
INTERVIEW/PHOTO OPPORTUNITY 

Media Contact:
Grant Van Leuven, San Diego County Office Site Manager
World Relief Southern California
(619) 375-5834 | GVanLeuven@wr.org 

San Diego (September 10, 2025): The San Diego County office of World Relief Southern California will host Matthew Soerens, vice president of advocacy and policy for World Relief and national coordinator of the Evangelical Immigration Table, for a Pastors Coffee Talk presentation and roundtable discussion entitled, “Welcoming the Stranger: Thinking Biblically about Refugees and Immigration,” on Wednesday, Sept. 24, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.  The free event including light refreshments will be held at Communion Church at 6555 Balboa Ave. in Clairemont. 

Soerens also is co-author of books such as “Welcoming the Stranger: Justice, Compassion, & Truth in the Immigration Debate” and “Inalienable: How Marginalized Kingdom Voices Can Help Save the American Church.” He has long been guiding pastors and denominational leaders across the U.S. on how to approach the topic of immigration with a clear biblical framework and an accurate understanding of immigration laws and procedures in the U.S.  Soerens regularly visits San Diego to participate with immigrant-focused World Relief border immersions, as he will this month. 

WHO: World Relief Southern California San Diego County Office. 

WHAT: Will host a Coffee Talk presentation and round table discussion about faith and immigration with area pastors, church leaders, and Christian community-based organizations by sharing a presentation entitled, “Welcoming the Stranger: Thinking Biblically about Refugees and Immigration,” which includes touching on common questions about economic impact, public safety, and legality.   

WHERE:  Communion Church (site of World Relief’s San Diego County office) in the sanctuary at 6555 Balboa Avenue, San Diego, CA 92111. 

WHEN:  Wednesday, September 24, 10 to 11:30 a.m. 

QUOTE: “Our similar events with Matt for our Orange County office earlier this year drew impressive attendance and terrific feedback,” said Grant Van Leuven, site manager of World Relief Southern California’s San Diego County office.  “At a time when immigration tensions are high, we’re eager to once again assist local church leaders to engage these important topics in ways rooted in their faith.” 

About World Relief 

World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization whose mission is to boldly engage the world’s greatest crises in partnership with the church. The organization was founded in the aftermath of World War II to respond to the displacement crisis in war-torn Europe. Since 1979, World Relief has been working alongside the community to welcome refugees and immigrants to Southern California and help them belong. World Relief Southern California has offices in Orange and San Diego counties. Visit worldrelief.org/socal for more information.