Archive for month: March, 2026

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Cheesman Checks In Ahead of Historic Home Opener for Summit FC

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It’s the historic home opener for Denver Summit FC, one of the newest and hottest teams in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Soccer Chaplains United’s very own, Lis Cheesman, one of the volunteer co-chaplains for the team joins the podcast to share about her soccer journey and background and how God has led her to being a pastor at LifeGate Church in Denver, CO and one of the co-chaplains.

Today, on the podcast, in addition to talking about her own background and the beginnings of chaplaincy with the team, Lis plays a game of Crosses with Rev before closing the podcast with a prayer and blessing over Denver Summit FC and the league. You won’t want to miss the exciting interview with Lis.

From the Touchline is a short-feature 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 Soccer Psalms – Psalm 90

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Psalm 90 has one of my favorite phrases and prayers which encapsulates these words of Moses to God — “establish the work of our hands, yes establish the work of our hands.” But in football (soccer) it’s the feet that get used most — so does God establish the work of our feet? Sure, I believe He does. He’s the one who sets out the cones, He marks the lines.

I wrote Soccer Psalm 90 so that athletes in soccer can realize that we have a certain degree of frailty. Many times when we are young, athletic — we can feel invincible, we can feel unbreakable. That is, until we break. Our first injury might seem minor or it might be major, but it reminds us that we are dependent — upon others (doctors, physios, and more) and upon God. God can help us steward our lives, our careers if we will but let Him. He will show us where to go and open certain doors that might have been previously closed off to us. We should invite Him into these aspects of our lives — more on this in this week’s podcast.

The Soccer Psalms, is a self-published book available on Amazon. (You can also find The Football Psalms-a British version-if you appreciate the different terms around the game). Both books are available globally on Amazon and contain 31 psalms that have been translated into “soccer psalms” — with words, language, and metaphors that connect soccer to God’s Word. I also include some reflection on the context and writing as well as some questions for reflection. Check out the book below:

The Soccer Psalms: https://mybook.to/thesoccerpsalms

The Football Psalms: https://mybook.to/thefootballpsalms-uk

Los Salmos del Fútbol: https://mybook.to/lossalmosdelfutbol

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.

Cheesman Climbing the Chaplaincy Summit

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Soccer Chaplains United is excited to welcome Lis Cheesman as the inaugural volunteer co-chaplain for NWSL’s Denver Summit FC which is begins play in 2026. Cheesman will serve as a co-chaplain and brings several years of pastoral experience, a deep love and many years of experience in soccer, as well as a passion for people into this new role.

This role feels like the kind of assignment you don’t force, it’s the natural convergence of what you’ve carried for years. I’ve loved the game for a long time, and I’ve also loved helping people become whole. Chaplaincy lets those loves live in the same place…My hope as chaplain is to be a steady, non-anxious presence, someone who cares for the whole person. I want players and staff to know they’re seen, supported, and not alone, on the best days and the hardest ones.

Cheesman, on her hopes upon entering this new role as volunteer chaplain

Lis and I (Brad) met a number of years ago through my time as a volunteer chaplain with Valor Christian High School. Lis was a coach for the girls soccer program and we met and worked together during the combined boys and girls soccer program mission trip to Costa Rica in 2018.

Lis (neon green top with white headband) and I (back middle, navy blue) pose with the students and leaders for the Valor Christian High School 2018 mission trip in Costa Rica.

Lis’ played soccer for Gordon College in Wenham, MA and upon graduation she served as the assistant Women’s Soccer Coach for the team from 2012-2013. Upon moving to Colorado to attend Denver Seminary, Lis was a volunteer assistant coach for Colorado Christian University’s women’s soccer team (2014-2015) and also a coach with Valor for seven seasons (2014-2021).

Coaching shaped me. It taught me how to lead with clarity and care, and it taught me that culture matters. I’ve seen how one healthy voice, one safe relationship, can change the way someone carries pressure. I hope to provide this for staff and players as I step into this new role.

During this same time, Lis was a pastoral resident at Southeast Christian Church before working to plant Cross Culture Church. She became a campus pastor at LifeGate Denver in 2020 and her role and work with the church has continued to expand ever since.

I love the local church, and I love this city. For me, this is simply another way to serve Denver, to bring encouragement and care into the places where people spend so much of their life and energy.

Cheesman, on her love for the church and people in soccer

We are excited to welcome Lis to the team. Soccer Chaplains United asks our supporters to pray for her work with the team beginning their inaugural season this year.

Soccer Chaplains United is non-profit, 501(c)3 and depends upon the financial support of individuals and partners to carry out our work of discovering, developing, and deploying chaplains across all levels of soccer. Please consider making a contribution today. Click the PushPay link below to make a gift or check out our Donate page for different giving options.

Kicking Off Hope: CCPC returns to Iglesia Maranatha, Juárez

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For nearly four decades, Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church (CCPC) in Denver, Colorado has carried a simple conviction: friendship in Christ is meant to be lived across borders. This spring break, that conviction is taking shape once again as a multigenerational team prepares to travel to Juárez, Mexico, to serve alongside their longtime partners at Iglesia Maranatha Presbyteriano.

The team departs Saturday, beginning a week of ministry in the Felipe Ángeles neighborhood. Their days will be full—hosting Vacation Bible School for neighborhood children, helping with work projects around the church, and spending time with families who have become dear friends over the years. Laughter, prayer, meals, and shared stories will fill the spaces between the work.

This trip carries special meaning. The last large group from CCPC visited in October of 2022. In the years since, the church chose a different rhythm of care because of the health struggles of Pastor Jorge. Rather than sending large teams, smaller groups traveled between 2023 and 2025 simply to visit, encourage, pray, and stand alongside him and the congregation during seasons of illness and adversity. Those quiet visits deepened a relationship already rooted in 38 years of shared faith.

Now, the church is returning and for the first time during spring break team instead of the usual fall trip. It will be the 29th family mission visit in the partnership’s long history—a reminder that faithful relationships are built one trip, one prayer, and one act of service at a time.

This year, the team will also carry with them soccer gear and equipment. In a neighborhood where soccer is a common language, these simple tools will help Iglesia Maranatha continue its ministry with children and families.

Because sometimes a soccer ball can open a door—
and a long friendship can keep it open. ⚽

Members of the 2021 CCPC Team pause from playing soccer in the park to take a photo with church members.

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!

The Soccer Psalms – Psalm 91

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 11:03 — 20.2MB)

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Psalm 91 speaks to the protection that God offers his people. He is the shelter, the refuge, the fortress where people can go and be safe from the different threats that abound. Soccer Psalm 91 is about how God protects the athlete, the player. Injuries — physical, spiritual, and mental — abound in the beautiful game. Some happen with malicious intent from other people. Others occur as a result of the physicality of the game.

I wrote Soccer Psalm 91 so that athletes in soccer can realize Whom to place their hope and dependence and trust in. God has our back. He loves us. He is our defense. We don’t suffer from injury like others — it’s not to say we don’t get hurt or injured, but we are able to see purpose and meaning in the midst of it. We are able to understand that we are loved and covered by God even in the midst of the storm. Enjoy this soccer psalm for this week’s podcast.

The Soccer Psalms, is a self-published book available on Amazon. (You can also find The Football Psalms-a British version-if you appreciate the different terms around the game). Both books are available globally on Amazon and contain 31 psalms that have been translated into “soccer psalms” — with words, language, and metaphors that connect soccer to God’s Word. I also include some reflection on the context and writing as well as some questions for reflection. Check out the book below:

The Soccer Psalms: https://mybook.to/thesoccerpsalms

The Football Psalms: https://mybook.to/thefootballpsalms-uk

Los Salmos del Fútbol: https://mybook.to/lossalmosdelfutbol

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 Soccer Psalms – Psalm 100

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 8:16 — 15.2MB)

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Psalm 100 is a song for giving joyful praise. And behold, in honor of the 2026 FIFA World Cup now being less than 100 days away from kicking off, Soccer Psalm 100 features on the podcast this week. Soon, there will be much celebration and jubilation (and some sadness when one’s team loses) around the world’s biggest stage and tournament.

I wrote Soccer Psalm 100 from the perspective of the fans — those who sit and await the match to begin. They start the party well ahead of the game. There is food and fellowship and footy happening. In the USA, we call it tailgating. In the UK, people gather at the local pub for “chippies” before a joyful march to the stadium ground. In other parts of the world, there are other, similar pre-match rituals and routines — usually expressive of joy and eager anticipation to get behind one’s team. In many ways, we await the triumphant procession and return of Jesus and the Cup Final to end all Cup Finals. Enjoy this soccer psalm for this week’s podcast.

The Soccer Psalms, is a self-published book available on Amazon. (You can also find The Football Psalms-a British version-if you appreciate the different terms around the game). Both books are available globally on Amazon and contain 31 psalms that have been translated into “soccer psalms” — with words, language, and metaphors that connect soccer to God’s Word. I also include some reflection on the context and writing as well as some questions for reflection. Check out the book below:

The Soccer Psalms: https://mybook.to/thesoccerpsalms

The Football Psalms: https://mybook.to/thefootballpsalms-uk

Los Salmos del Fútbol: https://mybook.to/lossalmosdelfutbol

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.

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