Brown Brings his Story to New Chaplaincy with Nashville Academy

Malcom Brown‘s journey toward vocational ministry began with a specific word: “chaplaincy.” In a season of discernment, Malcom strongly felt God calling him to this specific form of Christian ministry but wasn’t sure what it might end up looking like. Then, earlier this year, the Vanderbilt University Master of Divinity student was approached by a church member who shared with him about Soccer Chaplains United.

I remember…my surprise! While I have a heart for chaplaincy, I recognize that there is much to continue learning about the varied places that the work is going forth. As Desmond shared more with me about the academy context, the challenges that players and families encounter, I was excited to stand in the gap with them and see what God would accomplish in this space.

Malcom, on the connection a church member made

Desmond Armstrong, a former US Olympian, World Cup Veteran, and National Hall of Fame soccer star had had a number of meetings with Nashville SC chaplain Greg Joiner, as well as with me. As Desmond got to know the organization better and understood our search for a volunteer chaplain to serve the club’s academy, Malcom came to mind.

Malcolm and I immediately connected at a Super Bowl gathering at a church members house. We were the only two rooting for the same team against the rest of the house. After that bonding event, we started to meet up once a week and talk about life and scripture. Malcolm possessed a maturity and grasp of the scriptures that belies his age. Really, his dependence on the Holy Spirit for direction caught my attention and respect. Through conversation, he spoke of his pursuit of the office of chaplain. The timing was such that I immediately recommended him to the team in Nashville.

Desmond, on what he saw and whatt prompted him to recommend Malcom to Soccer Chaplains United

Growing up as young man in Washington state, Malcom Brown, loved tennis. An aspiring athlete with college tennis about to become a realized dream, that dream came crashing down when the college scholarship was pulled. The pain of that moment led to a journey of diving deeper and realizing that he needed to better develop his own personal resources of faith for such unexpected moments of life. After graduating from a number of years in the work force, Malcom began to sense that God’s call on his life was leading him into pursuing chaplaincy.

Part of Malcom’s passion centers on helping young people develop those critical resources of faith for the tests and trials that life has us go through.

I have a ‘vested’ interest, but I want the academy athletes to know that my interest isn’t in any way tied to their athletic performance. My desire is to hold space for them to talk and open up. I pray that I am able to come alongside of them in a way that maybe a coach, a parent, or someone else cannot. I hope that by seeing and experiencing me as a chaplain will help to remind them that God sees, loves, and cares for them.

Malcom, on his approach toward athletes

Malcom is currently a graduate student at Vanderbilt University and serves at Proclamation Church. He is licensed by the International Ministerial Fellowship and is in the process of joining the Army Reserve Chaplain Candidate program. He completed his first unit of CPE at St. Thomas Ascension Hospital.

We are excited to have Malcom join the Soccer Chaplains United team and we look forward to his experience, passion, and expertise in helping care for the athletes, staff, and families represented with Nashville SC Academy.

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.