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This past week I had the privilege of traveling to Manchester, England to represent Soccer Chaplains United during the 25th anniversary of Sports Chaplaincy UK. The week included observing SCUK's "induction day" training program as well as participating in the two-day conference. This year's conference coincided with the 25-year anniversary of the charity which originally was formed as SCORE by Rev John Boyers, the chaplain of Manchester United Football Club. SCORE, began in 1991, and began to spread into other sport in and throughout the United Kingdom. The charity rebranded in 2011 to reflect a clearer sense of chaplaincy in and to sport. As part of the continuing education, training and fellowship — SCORE/SCUK has typically hosted a conference in the

Over the last couple of weeks, I noticed a struggle within myself:  thriving in the day to day choices whose effects are not seen in the moment, but have long term ramifications.  For example, after a recent loss, a colleague asked me how I was doing. I responded with, “I haven’t carved out the time to process yet.” The conversation continued with him reminding me processing can happen in smaller amounts of time within a day that is within a week which could be within a month, year, etc. At times there is the ability to lose the middle ground that happens in-between the start and finish of projects, pain, work, education, growing skillsets. I was making a daily choice

Soccer Chaplains United is pleased to announce that Moody Bible Institute Men's Soccer is being served by the newest chaplain to join Soccer Chaplains United. Chaplain Pete Distler has a long history of working in soccer and recently joined Soccer Chaplains United as the organization's first collegiate chaplain. Distler, who works at Moody as Director of Digital Marketing, spoke about the chaplaincy, The new chaplain role...has been rewarding for all. It is a blessing... [especially for] the partnership between the chaplain and coaches for each unique mentoring opportunity that arises. From my trip last December, I was able to meet with Coach Chris McHugh and help offer some feedback on writing the job description for Moody's first chaplain to serve the

Welcome to Soccer Chaplains United! We are glad that you've found our new website and we are excited with moving forward. In 2002, when I first began to work as a chaplain with the Colorado Rapids, I was looking for a framework, a phrase for doing ministry. Cross-training, at the time, was an emerging philosophy of exercise where the whole of a person was considered. The idea was that an athlete needed to cross-train in order to be a better all-around athlete. Taking that idea further — I felt that those in sport needed to cross-train, but in emotional and spiritual areas. And so, CrossTraining was born. But in more recent times, with the emergence of the crossfit  exercise movement, we've

Timothy Project: Future of Timothy Project In Light Of Re-Branding.  Big changes are on the very near horizon for CrossTraining.  Since the inception of CrossTraining 16 years ago much has changed in the world of athletics; especially with small, boutique fitness centers that are sprinkled all over our communities.  It has become apparent that CrossTraining's identity is fading into the abyss of the CrossFit phenomenon. Upon this realization, Executive Director Brad Kenney made the decision to rebrand, remarket and reposition CrossTraining into a more accurate space within Major League Soccer.  The new name, logo and vision statement will better identify the ministry and all that falls underneath its umbrella of services. The future of Timothy Project also has exciting changes

Timothy Project: Year To Date Project Award Recipients Summary In Pictures. This summation in photographs are of the project award recipients and the gear they were able to take with them. In these photographs you'll see a few of those to whom the gear was donated, you'll see some pictures of the gospel going forth, you'll see the gift of playing a sport that has no language barrier so both the gringo and the native play together and you'll see bridges being built. Thus far in 2017 CrossTraining's Timothy Project has partnered with seven different teams who have crossed outside of USA and into countries all over the world.  These teams consist of teenagers, coaches, some curious sojourners, some seasoned