Meet the Team

In the fall of 2008 Tess co-founded the peace-building and advocacy organization, Seek the Peace (SEEK) with her husband, Jason Clarke. Tess has been serving alongside refugees since the founding of SEEK which has included traveling and working in the Middle East with Iraqi and Syrian refugees along with the many refugee communities in Dallas, Texas where she currently resides. Tess has a passion to see refugee and immigrant women protected and empowered along with helping the American church recognize and revere the image of God in these women.

Tess has trained hundreds of refugee and American women in peacemaking practices while utilizing these opportunities to build bridges between women of different faiths at the same time. She has been featured in the New York Times and on The NYT Daily podcast. Tess is currently the Director of We Choose Welcome, founded by author and speaker Ann Voskamp. She is the mother of four empowered children who inspire her daily to see and pursue what is good in the world.

I am an adventurer, world traveler, and tea-lover. In my time living overseas I learned what it was like to be welcomed as a foreigner. I experienced first-hand the difficulties of the U.S. immigration system when applying for a fiance visa and permanent residence for my now husband, a Polish immigrant. For two years I managed a temporary housing ministry for newcomers arriving in NC and walked alongside refugees, asylum seekers, and humanitarian parolees in their resettlement journeys. I am excited to serve alongside this community.

I am passionate about caring for others, spending time with my family, traveling, working out, and drinking coffee. I have spent time living in Nicaragua and in Texas and have served in various roles with non-profit organizations while raising my children. I recently moved back to Texas from Pennsylvania and am now living in the border city of El Paso where I am looking forward to engaging in the community and learning more about our country's southwest border. I would love to connect with you one-on-one!

I am a Light seeker, Equine Facilitated Counselor and coffee drinker from Wake Forest, NC. Through the opportunity to get to know my neighbors at Refugee Hope Partners and my friend’s experiences with immigration, I came to see that advocacy in action is what we must do as God’s love overflows in our own lives.

In 2015 the stories of Syrian refugees in the news broke my heart and inspired me to seek out more refugee and immigrant stories. Since then I have read many books written by and about those who have fled their homes. These stories inspired me to get involved. My role with We Choose Welcome connects my passion for the displaced with my experience in social media and love of graphic design.

I am a home educator for my four children and an avid literary fiction and memoir reader.

Over the years, I have developed a posture of learning among people who are different from me. Growing up in Oklahoma, my family helped to sponsor Vietnamese and Cambodian refugees. They became part of our family and sparked a passion for refugees and immigrants. As a relationship builder and connector, I have learned that mutual giving and receiving are crucial in developing a community of welcome. Beautiful things happen when we enter each other’s stories. In my role at We Choose Welcome, I am learning to help others share their stories to advocate for a more equitable and just community.

I was born in Mexico, raised in rural west Tennessee, and now call South Carolina home. I live with my family in the Upstate, where refugee and immigrant friends have become an important part of our lives. I enjoy adventuring with my kids, getting to know my neighbors, and learning how to bake, paint, and garden.

Hi, I’m Nifer Sims, that’s short for Jennifer. Although I’ve lived in many parts of the country, Orlando is the place I call my hometown. I studied History and Communications at Ball State University. My professional background is in digital marketing. I am so excited to be working with We Choose Welcome to help advocate for refugees and immigration issues!