Virtual Roundtable: Sustaining Foreign Assistance

Since Jan. 20, announcements on U.S. foreign assistance policies and the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program have shifted at an unprecedented pace — multiple times — bringing both uncertainty and urgent need.

In the midst of the debate and conflicting narratives, one thing is clear: these decisions have real consequences for persecuted Christians, displaced families, communities in crisis and the church worldwide.

There has been much discourse and many perspectives about the validity of these decisions that muddy the conversation, and ultimately that could get in the way of more support. 

We partnered with World Relief for a critical conversation on March 18, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. EST where we explored the following:

·         How the U.S. government’s shifting engagement impacts Americans, the persecuted Church and the global Church

·         The role of Christians during crisis and how partnerships with the U.S. government have saved lives

·         How foreign assistance functions with U.S. tax funds

·         What the foreign aid pause means for World Relief, faith-based organizations and global humanitarian work

·         The growing displacement crisis and what’s required of us now

This free webinar was an opportunity to gain clarity, engage in meaningful dialogue and strategize next steps for bold action. 

World Relief’s Matt Soerens hosted and Myal Green, President and CEO of World Relief; Lanre Williams-Ayedun, Senior Vice President of International Programs at World Relief, and I  were panelists to discuss both how the loss of funding for US foreign assistance affects FBOs and why the infrastructure and aid is so critical. We also discussed the role of the church and how you can engage and advocate for foreign assistance (USAID, PEPFAR, Global Fund, etc.) and for the refugee resettlement program.