Archive for month: June, 2025

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Congress Schedule For Waco Coming Out

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Earlier this year, I learned that my proposed talk on translating the scriptures for sport had been accepted for the 4th Global Congress on Sport and Christianity (GCSC) happening this summer in Waco, Texas at Baylor University’s Truett Seminary. And I recently received an email about where my talk will fit into the conference as a whole. A tentative draft of the schedule has me presenting with three others in a panel titled “Contextual Sport Ministry.”

Presenting alongside of myself, will be friend Xavier Bharath, who has been doing a pioneering work in India. He will speak on a theme of church planting using sports ministry as a vehicle. Two others that are part of the panel I don’t, yet, personally know include Jonny Reid and Scott Jackson. Scott is based in South America and has been ministering in Argentina as a missionary. He founded Vertical Deportes which is primarily a social media platform connecting Latin American athletes to their faith. Jonny Reid is with Christians in Sport (a UK group) and co-authored with Graham Daniels, Spiritual Game Plan, a recent book that looks at sport and faith.

I will look forward to sharing thoughts and reflections from the work in publishing my recent books, The Soccer Psalms and The Football Psalms and soon to be published, Los Salmos del Fútbol.

https://mybook.to/thesoccerpsalms
https://mybook.to/thefootballpsalms-uk

2025 marks the fourth GCSC and the Faith & Sports Institute is proud to host the event at Truett Seminary in collaboration with Sport.Faith.Life, Ridley Hall, the Christian Society for Kinesiology, Leisure, and Sports Studies, wired4sport, and the University of Tennessee’s Sport & Religion Research Alliance. 

This will be a special time, as well, as I have had the privilege of teaching the online section of Soul Care in Sports with Truett Seminary this past semester and I will likely get to meet several of the students face-to-face, while in Waco. I am hoping to raise about $1500 to offset the costs of the conference. If you’d like to make a contribution toward this, you can make a one-time donation via PushPay to the General fund.

Pause or Press? A Chaplain’s Commentary on the USMNT

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 35:54 — 49.3MB)

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It may be a little “late to the game,” but after listening to the ongoing dialogue and controversy surrounding the United States Men’s National Team, I am going to break some silence. I think the Bible has some wisdom and guidance to offer as we consider the question of whether some players ought to press pause on the summer competitions or whether they need to press forward and lean in.

In today’s edition of From the Touchline, I distill the conversation down to an issue of rest and an issue of responsibility. The challenge is figuring out which issue is more of what we may say is a “call to obedience.” There are times when we are called to step up and step in, and there are other moments when we are called to press pause and rest. In the podcast, I offer two biblical stories for each side of the equation, as well as some personal thoughts and reflections for whatever value those might bring.

From the Touchline is a short-feature (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.

Hope Going to Gitombo: Kenyan Village and School Needing Gear

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Wanjiru Mukunga and I went to Denver Seminary together many, many years ago. Formerly a chaplain with Christian Living Communities, we shared some professional development moments and colleagues throughout the years. In 2017, Wanji (known as Mary to many of her American friends) left the comforts of the US and her job here to return to her native Kenya. While in the States, Wanji had been raising money and working to transform the village of Gitombo. Her work was originally known as Project Adopt A Village (PAAV) – Gitombo; but many other ministries have similar titles. Today, Hope Gitombo has seen massive growth since its beginning in 2014!

In 2014, three students formed the first “class” for the small local school. They met inside of a small shack made of iron sheets. Today, PAAV Gitombo School boasts 222 student learners and 45 teachers and staff who meet in 6 buildings. They’ve recently purchased additional land and now have 2 playing fields with football (soccer) being one of the most popular activities amongst the children.

I met with Wanji this past week and offered here soccer gear to take back with her. The struggle is that the school lacks soccer balls (something that we currently lack as well in our inventory). I did share that we might be able to provide some uniforms.

The children, when they go to play against other villages and other teams, they only wear these very small shirts. They don’t have much. They don’t have much at all. They don’t even look like a team. We would love some jerseys that can make the children feel like a team.

While unable to provide soccer balls at the moment, Soccer Chaplains United, through our Community Project program are able to provide some uniforms and gear for the Gitombo children and some of the adult workers. Below are some photos of what I was able to pull together for Wanji to take back with her in July.

Here is a list of the items we were able to provide on short notice (40 lbs of gear):

  • Rapids Academy Jerseys: 23
  • Rapids Shorts: 3
  • Calf Sleeves: 14
  • Lime Green GK Kit (shirt/shorts/socks)
  • Camo Yellow GK Kit (shirt/shorts/socks)
  • Other shorts: 10
  • Other shirts: 20
  • Rain pants: 1
  • T-shirts (s/s): 11
  • T-shirts (l/s): 9
  • Ball pumps: 2
  • Cones

Hope Gitombo also has a large capital campaign that supporters may be interested to learn about. The students and school have grown so much that a secondary school is now needed to see the student complete high school. You can learn more on the Hope Gitombo website.

When you financially 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 Project from the selectable funds. Your financial gift helps us purchase new soccer equipment, sponsor individuals projects and organizations, and to cover associated costs of providing Bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!

The Banner of God: Reflections on Exodus 17

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 19:09 — 35.1MB)

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Israel’s first military test and battle coming on the heels of their escape from Egypt could have been disastrous, but God intervened. Exodus 17 records their first military test after a bit of a struggle for water in the desert. They won through the presence and power of God and the obedience of Moses in lifting up his hands to God; likely, with the staff of God in his hands.

In today’s edition of From the Touchline, I talk about the burden of leadership and responsibility and how, from the text of Exodus 17, we see that we ought not lead in isolation. Other lessons in the text include our obedience to God in the little things and also the lasting memory and reminder — that God is our banner. He is our success. He grants the victory.

From the Touchline is a short-feature (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.

Subbing Out: Bailey Concludes West Virginia Chaplaincy Effort

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In late 2022, Josh Bailey reached out to Soccer Chaplains United about what chaplaincy might look like in Charleston, West Virginia. While there was nothing concrete at the time, Josh had noticed the influence of soccer and the number of people that were on the sidelines any given weekend. As a local church pastor, Josh had a heart to care for people. His relationship and mentorship of a couple of players with West Virginia United (a USL 2 side) prompted him to reach out and explore our process.

Josh joined Soccer Chaplains United in February of 2023, but after a 2-year season of vision and effort, Josh has decided to sub out and conclude his volunteer role, stepping away from attempting to establish a soccer chaplaincy presence in order to devote more time to some other ministry opportunities. Though the work didn’t gain long-term traction, Bailey’s heart and hope for caring for players, coaches, and staff still continues. He’s left the door open to return should a viable interest re-emerge in the future.

“It was always about presence,” Bailey shared in reflection. “Being available for conversation, support, and prayer—even informally—was meaningful, even if the chaplaincy didn’t take permanent root. Some of the other takeaways for me include the education and training and the culture of SCU — it’s a special group to be part of.”

While Josh and Soccer Chaplains United wasn’t able to establish a sustained chaplaincy, his presence brought a pastoral heart to the game, even in small ways. He gave many one-on-one encouragements as he discipled one particular athlete. Multiple attempts, too, to create a presence with the local university team were part of the vision with the strong connection between West Virginia United.

“Sometimes chaplaincy is about planting seeds,” said Rev. Brad Kenney, founder of Soccer Chaplains United. “Josh gave it a faithful try in a tough environment. Not every effort leads to permanence, but every effort matters. USL 2 is a difficult environment because there is so much change, so often.”

Bailey steps away with gratitude—for the opportunities he had, the conversations shared, and the vision he carried. Soccer Chaplains United continues to be available to develop soccer chaplaincy service in the region should interest arise again.

Packing for Peru: Pluses and Minuses

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For the recent Community Project Request from Saint Patrick’s as they prepare to head to Peru, we initiated a new process — an online, pictorial catalogue that allows teams to “shop” and “select” gear. And, with all new kinds of processes, there were a few setbacks but this week, I was able to pack out the gear for Peru. Beyond a few technical difficulties with the form and processing, Greg Aydt and the team did fill out a form with a number of item; however, their listed items only equated to one 50 lb. bag! 🤪

In total, we were able to do 2 bags — one 50 lb. and the other 48 lb. The pictures below give a little bit of a sense of some of the items that we were able to fulfill for the team.

When you financially 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 Project from the selectable funds. Your financial gift helps us purchase new soccer equipment, sponsor individuals projects and organizations, and to cover associated costs of providing Bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!

Prayers Before Surgery: Reflections from the Rev

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:34 — 50.5MB)

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Injuries are common place in sports, especially in professional soccer. I recently sat with an athlete before surgery and it got me thinking back to the various surgery centers, hospitals, and other clinics where I have been present with people before this often difficult moment in one’s career. Whether it’s the waiting room of a surgery center or the post-op recovery room, there are many places where, as a chaplain, the only thing that you can really bring is the presence of God and the power of prayer.

In today’s edition of From the Touchline, I share about how prayer and faith can help the athlete before, during, and after an injury. I reference Diane M Wiese-Bjornstal’s article, Christian beliefs and behaviors as health protective, resilience, and intervention factors in the context of sports injuries. Also, don’t forget that our app has a recorded prayer for an athlete who is about to go for surgery!

From the Touchline is a short-feature (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.

The Suitcase Life: How Well Do We Travel?

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 21:57 — 40.2MB)

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Well, I recently moved office. It didn’t take long—two-three trips to move a couple miles away— but I was certainly in a funk. I don’t like change. Moving is hard (for me), even if it’s just a short ways away. It’s likely more to do with change or dealing with the unexpected. It begs the question: how we do you and I travel?

Professional sport has a lot of travel that comes with it. There are different ways that a person travels and lives life out of a suitcase and these tend to also display trends that we have when it comes to the other movement that we have in life. Beyond the traveling personality types (that I talk about in the podcast) there are some other principles that I think help us to travel well and I share those in today’s edition of From the Touchline.

From the Touchline is a short-feature (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.

United See Three Graduate Seminary This Spring

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blue and white academic hat

I can’t recall a time in our history when we had so many of our chaplains finishing up a seminary degree. The past few weeks have seen three Soccer Chaplains United chaplains competing their course work and graduating from their respective institutions. Ben Pflederer (Denver Seminary — MDiv), Malcom Brown (Vanderbilt Divinity— MDiv Chaplaincy), and Russell Branham (Westminster Theological Seminary — MA Counseling) have all made massive strides in their training and education all while also serving in a volunteer chaplain capacity with their teams (along with all the other things in life!).

Malcom Brown celebrates with family his graduation from Vanderbilt
Ben Pflederer poses with graduating classmates from Denver Seminary
Ben Pflederer celebrates with family his graduation

For Soccer Chaplains United, a high value is for our volunteer chaplains to have a high level of training. While not every person enters into a chaplain role having completed a Master’s Degree, it’s something that we look for amongst our chaplain candidates when we hold interviews or go to make a placement. All three of these men were already in their seminary programs when they began with Soccer Chaplains United, and we are proud to see them complete their training!

Of all the noteworthy elements from my time at Vanderbilt Divinity School, I am most grateful that I depart with greater confidence in my ability to serve as chaplain. Whatever doors God may lead me through, I look forward to continuing in the work to which I have been called.

— Malcolm, on finishing at Vandy

Russell Branham is also graduating (but not pictured as he’s not able to make it to the graduation ceremony to walk). Russ shared with me that as he graduates with a Master’s in Biblical Counseling that he will continue his work with the Koinonia Ministry at Christ the Redeemer Church in Spokane, WA. This is a biblically centered ministry of counseling and caring for those in the church. His hope is to eventually transition from his vocation in the medical device industry space into full-time ministry as a Biblical Counselor.

For Ben Pflederer, he plans to continue working for Denver Presbyterian as the Youth Ministry Director and continue my chaplain work with the Rapids Academy. Longer term he hopes to be ordained and possibly pursue either a Master of Theology in Old Testament or a PhD.

Denver Seminary was an incredible place for learning and growth alongside amazing peers and outstanding faculty. It equipped and trained me, above all, to love the Savior and His words more and continually be formed to be like Him, along with all the essential tools to study and lead in advancing the kingdom and the Gospel as a part of God’s great redemptive work. I truly see God and His work and His church with wider vision and more wonder and imagination for all the He does and can do, Denver Seminary was a special place in cultivating that by challenging and stretching me–academically, spiritually, emotionally.

— Ben, speaking on his experience with Denver Seminary

Please keep these three chaplains in your prayers as they continue to live out their faith in practice and come alongside of people, not only in soccer, but elsewhere in the different vocational roles and responsibilities that they carry.

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 — simply hit the donate link to go to our donate page for different giving options or PushPay button at the bottom of the page to make a tax-deductible, one-time or recurring gift.

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