Archive for month: May, 2026

Pastoral care and ministry was modeled for Marco Ambriz his whole life. Growing up as a pastor’s kid in Texas and California and having three generations of pastors in his family from Latin America, he was given the opportunity to explore leadership and service in the immigrant Latino church as a worship leader, preacher and youth ministry leader growing up. Marco’s own sense of calling from a young age led him eventually to Patten University in Oakland, CA where he earned a B.A. in Pastoral Studies. He later went on to earn an MDiv from Fuller Theological Seminary. His passion is to serve in a community where people from many backgrounds, traditions and cultural contexts can feel safe to explore God together and live out the good news of Jesus in a refreshing way.

Today, Marco is the lead pastor of First Covenant Church of Oakland, celebrating his 22nd year serving as a pastor at the church since 2004. First Covenant is a multi-ethnic, multi-generational church that has been in Oakland since 1887 and its vision is to Break Down Barriers, Build Up People and Be a Light for the City. While Marco enjoys care, preaching and leadership in his local congregation, he also finds so much joy in connecting with people in the community.

Enter the Oakland Roots SC. The Roots began playing in NISA (3rd Division) in 2018, but transitioned to United Soccer League – Championship (Division 2) in 2021. As an integral part of the city with a vision for elevating the city, the Roots and Marco share a similar passion.

Marco’s journey to exploring ways to partner with the Roots began nearly four years ago (a long wait by any stretch). Marco was approached by Jonathan Van Horn of Athletes in Action about serving the team through a recommendation of a mutual friend, but the door was shut for all those years for one reason or another. Then, in the beginning of 2026, some things began to change and a doorway started to open.

When I was first introduced to Marco, one of the things that I loved was his heart for the city and desire to have an impact where he is at. His desire to influence the city and be a part of sharing God’s story there was [for me] a big draw to Marco…there was also an intentional patience — he’s had to wait some 4 years to see this come to fruition. I am excited to see Marco serve the team well. I am excited to see what God does in and through him.

Jonathan Van Horn, on Marco’s patience in waiting four years for the placement

Van Horn, the AIA Executive Director of Pro Soccer and chaplain to the non-defunct North Carolina FC, did much of the work and waiting to try and get Marco connected into the club; however, a surprising story unfolded as several of the staff of Oakland Roots SC had previously worked with Soccer Chaplains United chaplains elsewhere around the league and wanted Marco to go through the process of affiliation with our group instead.

In the final analysis, it’s a testament to the network and relationships amongst the soccer network. Jonathan and AIA were gracious to “share” and help Marco transition into our process. I think it’s a good example of Kingdom partnership in this space.

Brad Kenney, on the collaboration with Jonathan Van Horn and AIA

Marco will finish some onboarding with the Oakland Roots in the next few weeks and begin to more fully serve the team as a volunteer chaplain. He shared some of his own hopes as he prepares to serve the organization:

My hope is to be a spiritual, emotional and inspirational support for the club, players, staff and their families in any way that would be a blessing to them. I feel God calling me to be a conduit of God’s love, care, listening and inspiration regardless of anyone’s background or experience with faith or religion. I want to be someone who helps break barriers and lower walls between the human and the divine and to show Christ’s love by simply offering myself to be present for people where they need.

Marco, on his hopes for the chaplaincy to the Roots

Soccer Chaplains United is grateful to welcome Marco Ambriz to the team and looks forward to the impact of his work at Oakland Roots SC.

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