Branham Becomes a Volunteer Chaplain at Velocity

This past year of 2024 has seen an exciting explosion of soccer happening in Spokane, WA. A new United Soccer League (USL) organization has brought professional soccer to the city. The Spokane Velocity play in USL-1, a third-division professional team. Additionally, the organization houses a women’s professional team (Spokane Zephyr FC) as part of the new USL Super League which kicked off in mid-August.

Beginning in late 2023, Soccer Chaplains United started to gather candidates for serving as volunteer chaplain for the inaugural 2024 season for the club. After several rounds of conversations and interviews with a number of qualified and interested candidates, Russell Branham stood out from among a strong pool of people. He has patiently worked through a process with both Soccer Chaplains United and Spokane Velocity to serve in this inaugural chaplain capacity.

Russ works full-time as a national sales manager for a medical device company. An elder at his church, Christ the Redeemer, he is also a candidate to complete a Master’s in Biblical Counseling from Westminster Theological Seminary in January of 2025. Part of Russ’ passion and desire center on reaching out to younger people and building trust to be able to speak into their lives and love them by showing hospitality and listening to the things that trouble them most.

I have just seen that young people – from 18-25 – just really have so few people speaking into their lives. What I love about Soccer Chaplains United is that the chaplain is equipped and empowered to come alongside many who wouldn’t otherwise have someone in their lives to ask “how are you?” and not mean it superficially, in a culture that gauges how you are by what you share on social media.

Russ, on his experience and sense about the chaplaincy opportunity with Soccer Chaplains United

Russ grew up in the Hillyard neighborhood of Spokane and went to college at the University of Idaho. He came to faith later in life (at the age of 31) through the love and care of a local pastor who was going around and knocking on neighborhood doors and having conversations with people.

Russ is a big encourager of people and a networker/connector. He loves to see people in places where they can flourish. He and his wife have five children and one of them adopted from foster care. Russ enjoy running and fly fishing as his hobbies. He’s also got a passion for finding great Mexican food.

Spokane is my home and having the Velocity here is not just a community rallying point but, a place for us to come together in the spirit of fun, competition and unity. It’s a place where can find a common ground and a bond around the team and community. The Velocity will allow us to be arm in arm with no agenda other than pride in the team and the city of Spokane!

Russ, on his excitement to see the USL organization come to Spokane

Integral to the process of placing Russell was the new position and role of Jubal McDaniel in serving as the Pacific Chaplain Manager. As part of his role, Jubal has been responsible for cultivating relationships within the Spokane Velocity organization and leadership and working to connect Russell for a successful placement and continual support for the onboarding and coaching that goes into raising up a new chaplain.

For me, Russell represents a new historical mile marker for Soccer Chaplains United as my first placement under my new chaplain manager role. This is on top of placing a chaplain with a brand new club and being able to start this journey together. I have enjoyed getting to know Russell throughout this process and I love his heart as a compassionate connector, encourager and advocate. 

Jubal, on his excitement at seeing this first placement and working with Russell

We are excited to welcome Russ to the team, and we’d ask our supporters to pray for his work amongst the new USL club in Spokane, Washington.

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.