The Spokane Zephyr FC represents a number of firsts—one of the first members of the new women’s Division 1 professional soccer league. The first professional women’s team in the city of Spokane. And one of the first professional soccer teams to adopt a European style of season scheduling (fall and spring). Amongst the many firsts, Amy Miller, will serve as the first volunteer chaplain to support the Zephyr FC staff and players.
Amy is the Adult Ministries Pastor at Summit Church, Spokane after spending years working at another local church. Originally from Arizona, Amy has come to call Spokane home. Moving to the city in 1986 and finding her husband and a dream job of leading a team of worshippers and creatives in the church, she considers herself blessed to have come to the Pacific Northwest.
In the scope of her work with the church, part of her passion and desire centers on holding space for young people and working to help them with some of their most unique and important challenges.
I contend the greatest human needs is ‘to be seen and to be known.’ I believe one of the greatest gifts we can give to people of this day and age is to allow them to be ‘in process’ and come alongside them.
Amy, on her pastoral approach with people
Amy has 4 children, 2 biological and 2 adopted from Ethiopia. Her husband died during 2020 after 34 years of marriage. As a widow, Amy has pursued the continual work of grieving the loss but celebrating a hope-filled future and sharing with others when they are faced with similar pains and losses in life.
Amy came to learn of the opportunity with Zephyr FC after a player approached her after church on Sunday. “I’d like you to be my chaplain,” she shared. That has led Amy on a journey of discovery and finding the work of Soccer Chaplains United and the larger extensions and expressions of soccer ministry that exist across the various professional leagues.
I feel really honored to be invited in…invited into the opportunity to serve the team and invited in to be part of a group like Soccer Chaplains United where I can learn and grow in serving the people at this club.
Amy, on her thoughts on joining Soccer Chaplains United and Spokane Zephyr FC
Amy joins Russell Branham who began serving Spokane Velocity earlier this year. Russell and Amy will receive additional coaching and support from Jubal McDaniel who serves additionally as the Pacific Chaplain Manager Soccer Chaplains United.
I am excited for Amy to be joining Soccer Chaplains United and begin building a presence of chaplaincy in the USL Super League. Her unique level of experience in ministry and life will prove extremely valuable for the people in her care as well as for us as fellow chaplains.
Jubal, on Amy joining Zephyr FC and Soccer Chaplains United
Soccer Chaplains United is excited by the opportunity to continuing building out service and care for the relationships with Spokane. We are excited to welcome Amy to the team, and we’d ask our supporters to pray for her work as it begins amongst the new USL Super League club that has already begun its season.
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 chaplains and our work. Click the link below to make a gift or check out our Donate page for different giving options.
