Do you ever feel like the holiday season is just crazy-making? Do you dread the rush that seems to come earlier and easier every year?
Rev Brad shares, in today’s From the Touchline episode, about Celtic Advent. This intentional season begins every November 15 and is designed to help prepare people for the day (Dec 25) and the season of Christmas which has become so commercialized and commodified that, for many it leaves a bad taste in the mouth. Learn more about this ancient custom of preparing one’s heart and life for the arrival (advent) of Jesus Christ.
From the Touchline is a short-feature (usually 10 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director of Soccer Chaplains United and Volunteer Chaplain to the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer. Rev Brad and occasional guests touch on various issues around the topics of faith, family, and football (soccer).
Don’t forget that you can listen in our app, SoccChaplain,in the Apple and Google store.
In today’s special From the Touchline podcast episode, Rev Brad introduces a pretty important person — Saint Martin of Tours. From Martin’s life and story originates our English words for “chapel” and “chaplain.” And Brad reflects on the life and ministry of chaplains today and Christians everywhere.
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 From the Touchline in the Soccer Chaplains United app. If you don’t have the app yet, you can download it from the Google and App Store. Search “SoccChaplain” and look for our logo (see photo below)!
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/the-charity-of-st-martin-by-louis_anselme_longa-featured-w740x493.jpg493740Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2019-11-11 12:00:272021-03-08 14:10:10Saint Martin of Tours
Did you know that when you shop for the holidays at smile.amazon.com/ch/20-2604903, AmazonSmile donates to Soccer Chaplains United?
If you purchase things on Amazon, why not make it go further? Amazon donates to the charity of your choice (.5% of your purchase on eligible purchases) and by selecting the link above, you can have a deeper impact on the work and mission of Soccer Chaplains United.
Thanks for considering and supporting.
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/HOLAssets_v1_1200x627_1._CB448870624_.png6271200Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2019-11-08 04:00:172023-01-18 18:17:09Support Soccer Chaplains United through AmazonSmile
Earlier this year, Matthew Hulst and some men from Coram Deo went to Haiti on a mission trip. They requested some soccer gear to take with them, probably with no idea what it would mean or what it would lead to. Matthew shares the following report with Soccer Chaplains United, evidence of the work of God, in the country of Haiti, and in the lives of His children there. Please take time to also watch the video at the bottom. Read on,
Planting Seeds for a pro-level Christian soccer club
The team poses with Haitian leaders setting up the tournament
Five friends and I set out on a trip to Cap-Haiti (Northern part of Haiti) with dreams of seeing the Lord move through a two-week soccer tournament. Although there were reports of rioting throughout Haiti and our government putting out warnings for travel, we still felt led to go, thank the Lord we did. During our two-week stint, we saw 20 young men (ages 18-35) give their lives to Jesus and 60 more commit to long term discipleship programs with the local Haitian team we were working with. Through a donation of uniforms and equipment from Soccer Chaplains United, we were able to provide the resources needed to run a high-level tournament and pour “gas on the fire” of a God-given calling of launching a new Christian pro-level soccer club. This club will be created and led by one of our new Haitian friends named Renaldo. The uniforms and equipment that were donated to Renaldo confirmed his calling from the Lord to start this new soccer club. The dream of this club is not just good soccer but rather to use soccer as a vehicle to transform and disciple young men who would otherwise not encounter Jesus and raise up future Haitian leaders who will put an end to the corruption that is the current reality in the country.
Renaldo is a pro-level soccer player who, a few years ago, was moving up the ranks in the Haitian soccer circuit. During this process, he came to a fork in the road with the question of what was most important to him: soccer or Jesus. He was presented with the opportunity to be in line for the Haitian national team, but he realized there was an unspoken requirement. To be on the team meant he would have to practice voodoo. Many Haitians believe that to be Haitian is “to be voodoo.” But this is not the case with Renaldo. His foundation is Jesus. Because of his commitment to faith, Renaldo quit the sport, believing his dream for soccer had come to an end. This last spring God used our team to breathe life back into a dream that Rendaldo thought was dead and buried. To start, it was our team funding and donations that enabled the first Christian tournament to be played in Haiti. This tournament included 16 teams from all over Northern Haiti battling each night for two weeks straight. Seeing this tournament come to fruition filled Renaldo with passion and faith. Even further, this experience renewed his dream of pro soccer centered around Jesus rather than Voodoo. When we opened the bags of uniforms donated by Soccer Chaplains United, Renaldo was blown away with the faithfulness of Jesus. What he saw in those bags was a miracle to him. He did not just see uniforms, he saw them as a symbol of the love and faithfulness of Jesus and that Jesus has not forgotten the young men of Haiti. When Renaldo’s club officially takes the field they will be dressed in Colorado Jerseys and they will be the first team in the country that Voodoo does not have a major stronghold in.
The uniforms and equipment that were donated to Renaldo confirmed his calling from the Lord to start this new soccer club.
Matthew Hulst, on Renaldo’s call from God to serve his native Haiti
The Tournament
This was the first soccer tournament of its kind. No voodoo was allowed before, during or after the games of this tournament. This is never the case in Haiti. The tournament was hosted at the second largest soccer stadium in all of Haiti and the players ranged from 18-35 years of age. Due to the heat, they played in the late afternoons and evenings in a “world cup” style of play. Before every game, as the teams were in the locker rooms getting dressed for competition, our team got to go into the locker rooms and had 20 minutes to share the gospel and minister to these teams. During these times we saw men rejecting voodoo and getting on their knees in front of their peers and giving their lives to Jesus.
All these sessions were translated by of few Haitian friends (including Renaldo), and due to Renaldo’s influence, these men saw, possibly for the first time, that it was possible to live a life for Jesus alone and still be Haitian. A number of times, we saw the players come back to us after the game asking to learn more about Jesus. A goalie, on one of the teams, after the consolation game finished, came back into another team’s locker room asking us if he could accept Jesus into his life. During these locker room sessions, twenty men rejected voodoo and accepted Jesus and 60 more men committed to long term discipleship with Renaldo and his team.
This was a unifying event between churches and ministries in Cap-Haiti and moved into bringing the gospel to men who would never be reached in a regular church environment. Praise the Lord that he uses soccer to bring the gospel throughout Haiti. They are praying for this to be a yearly tournament and are hoping for it to be in four locations around Haiti next summer. Let’s pray for this be a catalyst for the change we are all hoping to see in Haiti.
The Orphanage
Each day in the mornings our team put on small soccer camps with all the littles at an orphanage called Street Hearts. We started by sharing a gospel message with them and then put them through drills and finished with two on two soccer competitions. These young kids were good and even at a young age, kicked our teams’ butts. Most of the kids we worked with knew Jesus and it was fun to see the joy on their faces as we were able to give them “real” soccer balls, jerseys and equipment. This specific orphanage is doing such an amazing job of training their littles in the ways of Jesus and developing Godly character in their hearts. Our team still talks about it three months later that these young kids give us hope to see change happen in Haiti.
Our team wants to thank Soccer Chaplains United for partnering with us through funding, donations, and prayer as we were part of God moving in this small area of Haiti. We could not have had the impact we did without you guys. We have so many more stories including a Haitian wedding, a gangster street kid becoming a ministry leader in the church, soccer among the poorest of the poor in the villages, praying for the mass rioting and so much more. But that will be for another day. Thank you and please join us as we are praying for next year’s tournament.
We’d like to thank Matt and his team for their faithfulness and this amazing story of God’s goodness and faithfulness.
Haitian pastors who helped organize the tournament
When you support Soccer Chaplains United a portion of your gift automatically goes to help our community projects and requests. 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!
Cap-Haitien Soccer Tournament Thank-you
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/praying.jpg12801920Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2019-11-07 05:00:362019-11-06 09:46:13Jesus Rather Than Voodoo
This week, I asked our Director of Counseling, Brooke Ewert to share some of her own reflections following on from the 2nd Global Congress on Sport and Christianity. In her own words,
“This past week was the 2nd Global Congress on Sport and Christianity in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This was my first time attending this conference. After processing through the week when I returned home, I felt so incredibly blessed to be in the same room with so many Christians who work in the sports world. To be honest, I often feel alone because there are not many people who specialize in sports like I do with sports counseling.”
“I was encouraged to hear from those who work in sports as academics, historians, mental health professionals, and chaplains. Each person focused on helping athletes or studying them to help them in a more holistic way. The camaraderie that came from being in the ‘same field’ bonded us together quickly. I felt many people I interacted with quickly became friends and we tried to figure out how we can best help each other in our respective fields of work.”
“A few moments stuck out to me from the conference. First, I met women in my own field (mental health) who encouraged me in my own work with athletes in mental health. Second, I was gleaning information from the speakers who look at sports differently than me and how that can help me to be a better practitioner. I felt inspired by many of those speakers who helped me to see how sports and faith can be weaved together in a beautiful bond. I am already looking forward to the next meeting of the congress in three years and I cannot wait to have a few more sports counselors attending with me.“
Thank you for your support of Soccer Chaplains United. Your financial gifts and support help make continuing education opportunities like the Congress a reality — whether for a chaplain or counselor. It is helpful in shaping our work and direction.
If you would like to make gift to cover expenses or future opportunities for training and education, you can click the PushPay logo below or simply text Soccerchaplains to 77977. Or send your donation via mail to: Soccer Chaplains United, PO Box 102081, Denver, CO 80250.
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
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.
