The latest community project request comes from Compassion International in Colorado Springs. Compassion is a long-serving organization whose mission and vision is to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name.
Compassion’s three-cord approach is to be: Christ Centered, Church Based and Child Focused. With that in mind, Compassion’s development work with children around the world aims to be holistic in its approach. Matt Pirmann, whose father (Wayne) once helped Soccer Chaplains United, and now works for Compassion, recently reached out to request soccer balls.
Compassion in El Salvador has recently engaged in sports development as part of its youth development strategy. We will be taking a few professional women’s soccer players to see Compassion’s development centers and programs addressing children living in the most extreme poverty. They will also have a chance to spend time with coaches and players participating in soccer as part of the sports development programs.
Matt Pirmann, Compassion International
Matt Pirmann
Matt, himself, recently returned from leading a trip to El Salvador where he was touring sponsors to get “eyes on” the way that their child sponsorships are having an impact.
I was just down in El Salvador last week co-leading a Sponsor Tour and played with one of the teams last week a little ad hoc as part of the sponsor visit to that particular development center. Short story – our centers and the teams (the centers that have them) are short on balls.
Matt, talking on the need for their centers to have soccer balls for the children
Compassion’s team will feature professional female players from the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) touring the centers in El Salvador. The balls will be part of the team’s ability to hand out and spend time with the children in play.
Compassion’s request is the 10th project for 2019 and the first time we have supported a project for El Salvador.
Remember, when you support Soccer Chaplains United a portion of your gift automatically goes to help projects and requests like this one for Compassion International. You can give specifically to help cover our costs by making a gift through PushPay — simply select Community from the selectable funds. Your financial gift helps us purchase new soccer equipment, sponsor individuals or organizations, and to cover associated costs of providing Bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/compassionelsalvador.jpg156324Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2019-10-31 05:00:282019-10-29 17:41:04Compassion to El Salvador
As I sit and reflect on the recent road trip to Michigan for the 2nd Global Congress on Sport and Christianity, it feels a lot like one of the Apostle Paul’s missionary journeys that’s recorded in the book of Acts. Among the many, many highlights was seeing so many old faces and meeting many new faces. As the family (yes, all 6 of us) headed east, we made our first stop in Olathe, KS. A couple nights with my brother and his family let us get a feel for the road and also allowed us to see my nephew, Asher, in play for Toca FC and visit with one of our chaplain candidates in the area.
Asher Kenney, left, waits for a throw-in during the second half of his club match
It was a short stop in KC and then on to Nashville, TN. We pulled into town as the sun set, but the next day saw the family tour a couple of Civil War sites related to the Battle of Franklin. The still, blood-stained wood floors of the Confederate Field Hospital at Carnton and the on-site, private graveyard were sobering reminders of America’s difficult past.
The Union HQ for the Battle of Franklin, still riddled with bullet holes.
After the day’s events, I had a chance to sit with Nashville SC Chaplain Billy Cerveny and we discussed end-of-season and upcoming MLS transitions at Franklin’s Frothy Monkey. Later that night, after a BBQ dinner, we visited with coaching staff of Nashville SC and shared many reminders and memories of the 2010 Cup Final win for the Rapids and our time together during those years. All in all, too short of a time, but a joy to have even the briefest of reunions.
Martin’s BBQ was a nice shared moment for the family.
The hills of Tennessee gave way to Cincinnati as we visited with a former Rapids player and his family. After a quick stop to see my childhood home in MI, we headed across the state for the start of the congress at Calvin University.
Gary Thomas, with the opening keynote “Every Body Matters”
The Congress, in a word, was an amazing time. I especially enjoyed some of the challenges that were put forth by several of the keynote speakers and in the breakout sessions. One such idea that captured me was Miroslav Volf’s question to attendees,
Is the glory of being better than someone else (in sport) a genuine, human good?
Miroslav Volf, 2nd Global Congress on Sport and Christianity Keynote
Volf’s philosophical and moral grappling was one of the more weighty sessions and his ideas and language around competition were difficult for many of the practitioners in the room to swallow, let alone find a ground for agreement. But I find that the differing opinions help sharpen and shape my own theology and understanding of sport and ministry.
I felt that my breakout session was wonderfully paired with a presentation given by Will Whitmore, just prior, entitled, Towards a Theology of Sports Chaplaincy. Will focused on imago dei as a foundation for consideration and my own presentation called for using Genesis 3 as a more biblical foundation for sports chaplaincy. I was encouraged to share this more seminal text and also to introduce some folks to Saint Martin and his story as key to understanding chaplaincy.
In between sessions, Soccer Chaplains United had a table and we shared more about the ministry with potentially interested chaplains, counselors, and others at the Congress
Saturday morning, Brooke Ewert and myself, co-led a session discussing the partnership of Counseling and Chaplaincy. It followed on neatly from a presentation that was encouraging chaplaincy and social work partnerships. The exciting thing is to see a growing interest in creating interdisciplinary teams of care that can come around those in sport.
Brooke and myself, on Chaplaincy and Counseling: A Necessary Partnership
The Congress wasn’t all presentations and games, though. I took advantage of being in Grand Rapids to meet with some old friends — now coaches with Calvin and Cornerstone University Men’s Soccer. Ryan Souders and I caught up for a coffee and talked about how soccer chaplaincy might become part of the soccer program at Calvin. Ryan and I go back a number of years, to the time when Ryan was a player with the Charlotte Eagles and good friend to former Colorado Rapids midfielder and board member, Greg Dalby.
Ryan and I grab a selfie in the library/coffee shop on Calvin’s campus.
Ryan was kind to invite me to share an encouraging word to the men’s soccer team as they prepared for the last couple of regular season matches. I shared on how God was David in his battles and especially how He prepared and equipped David, for the battles that were right in front of him and the ones to come.
Standing on the touchline, I share about David’s 5 stones with the Calvin University Men’s Soccer team.
I also enjoyed reconnecting with former Rapids defender, Steve Herdsman. Steve was one of the first players I had the privilege of serving as volunteer chaplain for the Rapids. He has coached Cornerstone University Men’s Soccer for a long time now. We laughed as we shared our aging stories, though Steve’s managed to keep much of his good looks and fitness! During a lunch, we began some initial talks on what chaplaincy at Cornerstone might look like. Afterwards, Steve took me on a little tour of his club that he helps lead and he showed me the first ever Goalpher soccer system which has recently been on social media.
Steve and I pose in front of the first construction of Kyle Martino’s Goalpher soccer system.
Friends, if you’re still reading, I just can’t tell you how great the entire trip was. One last exciting opportunity to share with you — during the Congress, someone from India approached me and asked to speak with me. We shared a dinner time conversation together. He is starting a Bible school and would like for us to consider coming to India and teaching and training on soccer chaplaincy! He has a number of chaplains that are just beginning to work with soccer teams in a league that they run in the southern part of India. I don’t know if and how God might make this happen, but it is exciting to see how He is opening new doors and opportunities to grow and develop serving those in the soccer community.
Our trip ended with visiting friends in the Chicago area. A lunch at Portillo’s with our two families was followed by a impromptu tour of Moody Bible Institute. I was blessed to walk the grounds of the school that was so impactful in my life. I got to show my wife and daughters one of the places that is close to my heart. Good friend, Elias Ricks and his mom and two sons were with us as we explored the MBI museum and the campus.
The Kenney and Ricks families in front of Moody’s famous arch
Our last stop before the long drive home was with some friends who recently moved to Illinois. All in all, it was a wonderful trip and we are thankful to God for the traveling mercies and safety on the road and during this long trip.
We had a great reunion with the Salia’s
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/IMG_3624-e1572545099539.jpg19201440Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2019-10-30 12:00:052019-10-31 12:09:02MI Road Trip in a Word: Massive
I am excited as the time has come for the 2nd Global Congress on Christianity and Sport at Calvin University. Next week, I will have the privilege of presenting in a session on Friday, A Biblical Foundation for Chaplaincy in Sport. In the session, I will propose that academics and practitioners develop a more foundational biblical text for chaplaincy theory and practice.
In the second session, myself and Brooke Ewert will present on the challenges of linking chaplaincy and counseling in sports. On Saturday, we will present, Chaplaincy and Counseling in Sport: A Necessary Partnership, will take place on Saturday, 10/26 (9:45-11:45 am, Eastern) as part of a 4-part presentation track. We will share about our work of serving in football (soccer) and how the chaplain and counselor can serve simultaneously and differently from one another.
It is a privilege for Soccer Chaplains United to feature as part of the many breakout sessions during the four-day event. A list of the different break out sessions is viewable here.
Please pray for Soccer Chaplains United, and the other congress attendees — whether academics or practitioners — as we work and interact to process best thinking and best practices in helping bridge the world of Christian faith and sport.
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Rev-2018.jpeg484468Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2019-10-18 08:00:402019-10-17 09:10:36Breakout presentation next week
This past Sunday night, Brooke Ewert and I did some final preparations for the 2nd Global Congress on Christianity and Sport at Calvin University next week. We got our two families together for a homemade pizza dinner and threatened our children and teens to have to sit through our rehearsal. Fortunately, there were games and distractions in the basement and our spouses, unwittingly sat, listened and gave feedback for our presentation.
I asked Brooke this week how she was feeling about the Congress and some of the things she was looking forward to, she shared with me,
Rarely, are there this many people who are believers in Christ and who are interested in sports in one location. I usually feel alone because there aren’t many of us in the sports industry who have a faith-based perspective working with athletes. As I looked at the topics for break sessions and keynote speakers, I smiled and thought, ‘I’m going to be with so many likeminded individuals.’
Brooke Ewert, on attending the conference
For myself, I sometimes feel that there are several different sessions that I would like to attend and I fell torn over the different choices. As Brooke says, it’s rare to have so many ‘like-minded’ people gathered in one place, talking about faith, sport, and mental health among other topics. But this congress is about more than rubbing shoulders with like-minded people. It’s about learning and growing ourselves, as Brooke shares further,
I’m really excited to share with those in the sports industry the work Brad and I have done with Soccer Chaplains United and the Colorado Rapids, but also to learn and glean from others who are working with athletes in different ways that will help us to be more efficient or learn from ‘roads already paved.’
Brooke Ewert, on sharing about Soccer Chaplains United
While some of those listenings and learnings, for me, will be in chaplaincy, Brooke will be able to sit in on another session emphasizing counseling and mental health and well-being.
I am also excited to learn how others in the mental health field are helping athletes with mental health issues. This is a huge life passion for me and it will be encouraging to see the work being done with athletes from around the world.
Brooke Ewert, on the counseling track
Please keep Brooke and myself in thoughts and prayers for this next week.
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Brooke-Ewert-HS-2015.jpg743707Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2019-10-18 08:00:002019-10-17 18:01:58Prepping for Conference
The jersey exchange is one of the most unique and special rituals and moments to be found in the Beautiful Game of soccer.
In this edition of From the Touchline Rev Brad reminisces about a couple of “swaps” in his time as a chaplain and reflects on several times in the Bible where a similar exchange was made. He concludes by reflecting on the ultimate exchange that ever happened in history and a prayer for those who might consider making such a swap, themselves.
From the Touchline is a short-feature (10 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney and occasional guests touching on various issues around faith, family, and football.
Check out the Soccer Chaplains United App and go to the Media section. Under podcasts you will see a new podcast for 10/16/2019 entitled “The Jersey Exchange.”
If you don’t have the app yet, you can download the Soccer Chaplains United App from the Google and App Store. Search “SoccChaplain” and look for our logo (see photo below)!
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/IMG_6711.jpg15881920Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2019-10-16 12:00:482021-03-08 14:09:41The Jersey Exchange
Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church, one of the partner churches for Soccer Chaplains United, is headed out to Juarez, Mexico. The church has been serving and working together with Iglesia Maranatha for many years and this annual trip has become a traditional outreach for families to go and serve others. Cherry Creek’s request will be the 9th community project of 2019 that is sponsored by Soccer Chaplains United.
One of this year’s team members, Jacob Smith, shares what the experience is like and what he and other members of the team are looking forward to:
The team of Juarez 2019 consists of more than twenty-five people, some of which are included in families, others that are traveling to Juarez without their related family but are still traveling with their church family. The leader of the team (Parker Dragovich) has been going to this small church, in Juarez for more than twenty-five years, she has a strong relationship with many people there, and because of this, our giant church in Cherry Creek, USA has a great relationship with the small local church in Juarez, Mexico.
The mission starts about month before we actually leave for the trip, with a full team meeting in witch we discuss a typical day during the trip, jobs, packing list, and what goals we hope to accomplish while there.
This year, the CCPC Juarez team has requested 5 soccer balls and 40-50 t-shirts or jerseys and soccer ball pumps. Below is a picture of what Soccer Chaplains United is able to provide.
Soccer Chaplains United is able to provide nearly 300 soccer t-shirts and 7 new soccer balls
We leave for the trip on Saturday morning at 4:00 am, we drive for about 10-12 hours until we reach El Paso, Texas and have dinner. We then drive for about half an hour, across the border to Iglesia Maranatha the local church and compound we will be staying in for the week. Upon reaching the church, our team unloads the baggage and finds the rooms we will be staying in, and by rooms I mean a concrete roof , floor, and walls, with no doors. There are no furnishings beside ply wood bunks that threaten to collapse when you put any weight on them. After we find our rooms, we have a meeting with the pastor and his family, and then go to bed.
Pictures from 2017 — CCPC shares jerseys down in Juarez before a local game of soccer
The next day, our team, and many of the people in the congregation, carpool to go to the nearby park where we have an competitive soccer game with the local people and enjoy a delicious lunch. This is the time when everybody grows in community with one another and launches a great start to a great week.
Please pray for Jacob Smith and the rest of the 2019 Juarez Mission Team from Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church while they work and serve with the church at Iglesia Maranatha.
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/IMG_8839-e1570467517132.jpg19201440Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2019-10-10 08:00:252019-10-07 11:12:14CCPC to Visit Friends at Iglesia Maranatha
Did you know that God actually issued the first “yellow card caution”?
If you know the Bible, to whom do you think He issued the caution?
In this edition of From the Touchline, Rev Brad springboards off the history of the yellow card caution for football and reflects on the first yellow card caution issued by God. He encourages listeners to reflect on the different warning moments in life that we encounter — on the field and off of it.
From the Touchline is a short-feature (10 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney and occasional guests touching on various issues around faith, family, and football.
You can listen to podcasts in the Soccer Chaplains United App. Go to the Media section and look under podcasts.
If you don’t have the app yet, you can download the Soccer Chaplains United App from the Google and App Store. Search “SoccChaplain” and look for our logo (see photo below)!
Moody Bible Institute Men’s Soccer Chaplains Pete Distler resigned last week from Soccer Chaplains United after resigning from the team earlier. Pete shared that for the past few weeks he had been in prayer about his work and role with the team. He felt as though God was calling for him to step down from his position. Pete shared with me,
After much prayer and discerning of God’s will, I am taking this step of obedience. It has been a great pleasure to spend time with you and receive your mentoring in this fascinating ministry field. Many blessings to you, fellow chaplains and the board.
Pete Distler, former chaplain to Moody Men’s Soccer
Pete was the first chaplain to serve the Moody Men’s Soccer team in school history. A search will begin in cooperation with the men’s coach Jon Forsythe for a chaplain replacement to serve in the future at Moody.
We pray that God’s will and plan be plain to Pete in the coming time and thank him for his service to Moody Bible Institute Men’s Soccer and Soccer Chaplains United.
Brooke Ewert, Director of Counseling, and myself enjoyed a time of sharing this morning around the “Breakfast Table” with our friends at AM91. Roy Hanschke and Denise Washington-Blomberg were our hosts this morning around the table and we were able to cover a number of topics including the upcoming 2nd Global Congress on Sport and Christianity at Calvin University.
In case you missed our interview today, you can listen to the compiled interview segments here (26 min long).
Thank you fro continuing to pray and support the ministry and work of Soccer Chaplains United!
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/IMG_8774.jpg14401920Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2019-10-04 14:00:202019-10-04 14:54:39Soccer Chaplains United Radio Interview
How do you do under pressure? Do you perform better? Or, do you struggle?
This latest From the Touchline podcast is about the pressure that often comes from playoffs, promotion/relegation and other points in and around the beautiful game. In this edition, Rev Brad leads listeners through an exercise to identify other stories where the pressure was on and look at how those people went through the pressure and discovered something unique and yet common to both stories.
From the Touchline is a short-feature (10 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney and occasional guests touching on various issues around faith, family, and football.
Check out the Soccer Chaplains United App and go to the Media section. Under podcasts you will see a new podcast for 10/2/2019 entitled “Playoff Pressure.”
If you don’t have the app yet, you can download the Soccer Chaplains United App from the Google and App Store. Search “SoccChaplain” and look for our logo (see photo below)!
We may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.
Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.
Essential Website Cookies
These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.
Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site.
We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain.
We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. You can check these in your browser security settings.
Other external services
We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.
Google Webfont Settings:
Google Map Settings:
Google reCaptcha Settings:
Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:
Privacy Policy
You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page.
