Archive for month: October, 2021

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Playoffs at Fever Pitch with Soccer Chaplains United Chaplains

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crowd watching football game inside stadium

A number of results this past Wednesday night solidified the playoff destinies of teams where Soccer Chaplains United chaplains are serving.

In Major League Soccer, while my own Colorado Rapids lost to league-leading New England, Ben Dudley and Troy Ready’s Portland Timbers won 2-0 to clinch a spot. In the Eastern Conference Billy Cerveny’s Nashville SC won with a thrilling come-from-behind victory over Cincinnati to clinch a playoff place with a few games in the season remaining.

In the National Women’s League, Christina Garber’s Portland Thorns clinched the league shield (most points in the season) and will have the top seed for postseason play.

In the United Soccer League Championship, Soccer Chaplains United chaplains are serving six different teams. In the Mountain Division, with four teams, there will be a tense playoff battle which will either see Chaplain Isidro Piña’s Rio Grande Valley Toros or Clint Moore’s New Mexico United go through. Erick Jiménez’s El Paso Locomotive clinched the top division spot weeks ago and Kurt Trempert’s Colorado Springs Switchbacks recently secured a home playoff game. In the Pacific Division, Jubal McDaniel’s Tacoma Defiance are in striking distance, but need results to go their way and a win against division leader Phoenix, this weekend. Elsewhere, Greg Aydt’s Memphis 901 FC finally secured a spot with Wednesday night’s home victory.

On the college front, Kim Beach’s work with Trinity International University will see the last home game and senior night this weekend. TIU has stumbled a bit this season to a 3-13 record and with an ever-shifting landscape from the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kim’s work as chaplain will continue well into the offseason with the student athletes of TIU.

In High School, Greg Navitsky’s Valor Christian High School team advance out of the first round of the Colorado State High School playoffs with a 1-0 win over Doherty Wednesday night. Ryan Doyle’s boys team at Christ Presbyterian Academy play in the spring and Jordan Medas’ work in central Virginia is just getting going.

The extension of ministry due to the playoffs means that chaplains have more opportunities to serve and love and care for the athletes, coaches, staff, and families that they serve. More touch points and potentially some difficult places as teams flourish or fail — sometimes the failing places offering more space for a chaplain to represent God to people and to bring comfort in the midst of disappointment and loss.

Please keep our chaplains and their respective teams in your prayers.

Soccer Chaplains United is non-profit, 501(c)3 and depends upon the financial support of our partners to carry out our work of developing chaplaincy across all levels of soccer. Please consider making a contribution today to help us continue growing our work. You can text soccerchaplains to (833) 245-5091 to link through your mobile device or simply click the PushPay Logo on the bottom of the page below.

person holding green and white striped shirt

Juggling Juárez — Cherry Creek Presbyterian Returns from Week-long Mission

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“It’s a good tired” I shared with a friend who asked about the recent family mission trip to Juárez, Mexico. Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church, one of the sponsoring churches of Soccer Chaplains United, and the church where my family and I worship and are members, completed what is thought to be the 30th year of ministry and mission with Pastor Jorge Mata and his church, Iglesia Maranatha Presbiteriana. The church, just a stone’s throw across the US border, has endured many struggles during the COVID pandemic — spiritually, emotionally, economically, and more.

The family mission trip involves a week-long stay on the church grounds and various work projects and Vacation Bible School (VBS) programs for the neighborhood children, some of whom are extremely poor. This year’s team of 18 adults and youth, spent time working, serving, and worshipping with the church — something which was not able to happen in 2020 due to the state of the global pandemic and the closing of the US/Mexico border.

On Sunday, church members play fútbol with team members at a local park.

The border still remains closed today for “non-essential” travel. This has greatly impacted many of the church members and the neighborhood, as many of the women worked in El Paso cleaning homes and doing other work on a daily and semi-regular way. The economic impact has been severely felt amongst many of the families living in the neighborhood area of the church — and so, the visit of Cherry Creek after last year’s absence, has brought much encouragement to the church members and to Pastor Jorge. He shared the day after our departure:

Hoping that your return trip has been good and that you are all already resting. Yesterday and today we were working a little, trying to finish the projects. The Church is very lively, you coming did us a lot of good. Our Lord bless you, and again thank you very much!!

Pastor Jorge Mata

In addition to sharing some of the soccer gear through Soccer Chaplains United, the team also took the VBS program and soccer gear to an orphanage in Juárez where several Mexican and immigrant children were living. In spite of a short time, the children at the orphanage quickly warmed to the team and appreciated the special day with the visit which included songs and skits in Spanish and later, the orphanage directors handing out the special jerseys to the children.

Handing out soccer jerseys to the children of Juárez.
Boys play soccer on the concrete courtyard between the church and community building sporting brand new Colorado Rapids jerseys.

Remember, 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 cover associated costs of providing Bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!

Lessons from Lasso — Be a Goldfish

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 6:28 — 11.8MB)

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How well do you receive forgiveness? How easy is it for you to move on from a mistake or critical error as a footballer or coach? Have you developed any particular memory habits or routines and rhythms to help you overcome and achieve? Well, today we consider Coach Lasso’s words to defender Sam Obisanya — “Be a Goldfish!”

Ted Lasso, the immensely popular streaming TV show in its second season on Apple TV+ features the antics and quirky, ‘Ted Lasso’ character brought to life in his own TV show series. Lasso first appeared a number of years ago as a comedic character as NBC purchased the broadcast rights to the English Premier League. Played by Jason Sudeikis, Lasso (as a coach) brings change to the difficult football (soccer) team that he has traveled overseas to coach.

Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, Rev Brad shares lesson twelve and how it is important to have a short term memory when it comes to overcoming mistakes and to receiving forgiveness from God and from others.

In the ‘Lessons from Lasso’ series, Rev Brad looks at some of the different life learning points brought up in the the show from a chaplain’s point of view.

From the Touchline is a short-feature (usually 10-15 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).

Also, don’t forget that you can listen in our app, SoccrChapUtd, in the Apple and Google store.

Upper90 Announces Pro Tour for 2021

Former professional footballer, now-turned chaplain and soccer ministry leader, Jorge Vallejo and his Upper90 Ministry have announced plans for their 2021 soccer ministry trip to Honduras. The team will get set to leave for San Pedro Sula from Atlanta this December to spend a week playing competitive soccer, hosting soccer clinics, and other holistic community development and outreach moments to at-risk children, orphans, local churches and many schools and soccer clubs.

Jorge Vallejo and wife, Brittany, being honored during this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month for his work in the community.

Jorge, a long-time Atlanta resident, is a former professional soccer player who played in Bogota, Columbia for many years before coming to the US. In addition to serving as a head coach to several Bible college soccer teams, Jorge was part of Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) for many years before founding Upper90. The ministry’s aim is to help not only children to win on the field, but in other aspects of life — mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Upper90 Team members play soccer games with the children

Some brief details for the trip:

WHO: Pro & high level college athletes and coaches. Besides soccer, we will be serving at a feeding program, playing fun games with children, and leading a service project. WHAT: Holistic Community development through sports. Outreach soccer clinics, competition, kids games and more. We will be serving at-risk children, orphans, local churches, schools & soccer clubs! COST: $995 per person + airfare ($500-$800) Each participant is responsible for purchasing their own airfare with the support of trip leader. We fly direct with Delta from Atlanta (ATL) to Honduras (SAP). 

For more information on the trip please contact Jorge at jvallejo@upper90goal.org.

Lessons from Lasso — Know the Vernacular

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 6:34 — 12.0MB)

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New things often have a different language, different words, and other little nuances that may or may not be easily know or readily understood — what are the vernacular differences that you’ve experienced? Even American English isn’t the same as British English! And in the game of football, there are many different words and phrases and sayings that can be hard to understand — the same could be said for the Christian faith, as well. There is theological language, religious language — and if you’ve not grown up in it or been taught it, it might be really tough to understand.

Ted Lasso, the immensely popular streaming TV show in its second season on Apple TV+ features the antics and quirky, ‘Ted Lasso’ character brought to life in his own TV show series. Lasso first appeared a number of years ago as a comedic character as NBC purchased the broadcast rights to the English Premier League. Played by Jason Sudeikis, Lasso (as a coach) brings change to the difficult football (soccer) team that he has traveled overseas to coach.

Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, Rev Brad shares lesson eleven and what it looks like to try and learn a new way of speaking and thinking — even if its the same language or close. We need to learn the vernacular in the places where we work, live, and play.

In the ‘Lessons from Lasso’ series, Rev Brad looks at some of the different life learning points brought up in the the show from a chaplain’s point of view.

From the Touchline is a short-feature (usually 10-15 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).

Also, don’t forget that you can listen in our app, SoccrChapUtd, in the Apple and Google store.

Lessons from Lasso — Biscuits with the Boss (Build Relationships)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 6:38 — 12.2MB)

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What do you do to build relationships in your life? At home? At work? Do you enjoy food? A game or some type of event? In today’s, Lessons From Lasso, we are going to take a look at the rhythm and routine that Lasso forces on to AFC Richmond Owner Rebecca in an attempt to influence and change the culture and hearts of the people at the football club.

Ted Lasso, the immensely popular streaming TV show in its second season on Apple TV+ features the antics and quirky, ‘Ted Lasso’ character brought to life in his own TV show series. Lasso first appeared a number of years ago as a comedic character as NBC purchased the broadcast rights to the English Premier League. Played by Jason Sudeikis, Lasso (as a coach) brings change to the difficult football (soccer) team that he has traveled overseas to coach.

Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, Rev Brad shares lesson ten and the importance of developing or carving out space to develop relationships and rapport with the different people in our lives — whether it’s over a meal, a coffee, or even biscuits (cookies) with the boss — there is a model that we have in the person of Jesus and his desire to have a relationship with us.

In the ‘Lessons from Lasso’ series, Rev Brad looks at some of the different life learning points brought up in the the show from a chaplain’s point of view.

From the Touchline is a short-feature (usually 10-15 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).

Also, don’t forget that you can listen in our app, SoccrChapUtd, in the Apple and Google store.

Lessons from Lasso — Look Right

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 6:04 — 11.1MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music | Android | Pandora | iHeartRadio | Email | Youtube Music | RSS

Today’s Lesson from Lasso is about watching where you step. Sometimes when we go a new venture it can be a dangerous thing to step outside the door, if we aren’t careful we can get run over — by a car or some thing or some one or worse. If we don’t pay attention to our surroundings we can be caught off-guard, ambushed.

Ted Lasso, the immensely popular streaming TV show in its second season on Apple TV+ features the antics and quirky, ‘Ted Lasso’ character brought to life in his own TV show series. Lasso first appeared a number of years ago as a comedic character as NBC purchased the broadcast rights to the English Premier League. Played by Jason Sudeikis, Lasso (as a coach) brings change to the difficult football (soccer) team that he has traveled overseas to coach.

Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, Rev Brad shares lesson nine and how Jesus exhorts us to ‘watch and pray’ and to understand what’s going on around us so that we won’t be blindsided.

In the ‘Lessons from Lasso’ series, Rev Brad looks at some of the different life learning points brought up in the the show from a chaplain’s point of view.

From the Touchline is a short-feature (usually 10-15 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).

Also, don’t forget that you can listen in our app, SoccrChapUtd, in the Apple and Google store.

Just Juárez, Mexico

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With the global pandemic shutting off much of the world from itself, this year’s singular Community Project fulfillment looks south of the U.S. boarder to Juárez, Mexico and the small team from Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church (CCPC) that looks to make their way in just a couple weeks time.

Led by Parker Dragovich and Pastor Chris Piehl, this year’s trip is thought to be the 27th trip in a nearly 33-year history. For a period of 5 years (2009-2013) the church deemed it unsafe to travel to Juárez with the drug cartel violence in its heyday. And, of course, 2020 saw closed borders due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Throughout the 30+ year history, CCPC has maintained a specific relationship with La Iglesia Maranatha and Pastor Jorge Mata. Pastor Jorge has served the church and the Felipe Ángeles neighborhood and community for those many, many years.

The mission trip sees several church families combine to lead VBS (vacation bible school) for the children in the neighborhood and to work on several construction projects on the church grounds and in the surrounding neighborhood. The church, within sight of the UTEP (University of Texas – El Paso) campus across the boarder, lives in a shadow of poverty, but the neighborhood is slowly being transformed with jobs and homes being built and people being elevated socially and spiritually by the work of Pastor Jorge and the church.

The Cherry Creek Prebyterian Church Team in 2017 poses with Pastor Jorge Mata (right, purple shirt).

In addition to the local work that La Iglesia Maranatha does, Pastor Jorge and the church members have also undertaken several trips into the poorer, and more rural parts of Mexico. Taking donations and other items, the church has traveled long distances to share the Gospel and encouragement with the poorest of the poor in some of the small villages deep within Mexico.

Assembly line for packing donations
Juárez 2021 Packed! 8 boxes – 350 lbs of soccer donations
I show Pastor Jorge (2017) donated gear that the church can give out to the community.

Remember, 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 cover associated costs of providing Bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!

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