The Pro Soccer Chaplains Association (PSCA) is close to an informal and unofficial launch after a year's worth of discussion and work to understand a way forward for the future. What initially began in late 2021 with the decision to host a leadership summit between the different organizations operating in the pro soccer space, COVID canceled an in-person meeting, but spurred on the decision to begin the process through a series of regular meetings online. Leaders of the different groups and organizations that have volunteer chaplains posted within the top professional soccer leagues in North America came together to understand ways forward with the ever-shifting and growing landscape of professional soccer. Amongst some of the drivers — standards, accountability, unity and

TBH, when Billy Cerveny called and told me that he was going to need to move to Jacksonville, FL I was discouraged. It takes a tremendous amount of time, energy, and relational capital to discover, develop, and deploy a chaplain and the higher the level (especially within the elite, professional ranks) the more that seems to be at stake and the more things that could go wrong. So, fighting back the tears and fears (yes, I believe God is sovereign), Billy and I began searching earlier this year for candidates that might be able to be a fit with Nashville SC. A short list of names cropped up. "What about _______?" I asked. "No, I don't think that person will

For the second year in a row, Soccer Chaplains United chaplains and board members will have an in-person retreat with a few zoom meeting moments during the annual Founder's Retreat in scenic, Fairplay, Colorado, November 10 — 13. Last year (2021), the retreat format and style was changed to include chaplains and board members after 2020 saw the retreat canceled due to the pandemic. Prior to 2020, the Board of Directors and chaplains had met in alternating years, but last year felt like an important time to mix both parts of the ministry for the sake of encouragement and support. The Board of Directors retreat in 2019 had a vision and dream session facilitated by Dave Meserve. The Board also

I am excited at the opportunity that my long-time friendship and relationship with Wells Thompson has afforded me to be a guest at this year's Mental Fitness Summit. There are some 15+ industry-leading professionals that are coming together to speak on issues of mental health and resilience. This year's event is online, similar to last year. I am including some details below. I think players and parents and others associated with soccer will find this to be a brilliant introduction to Soccer Resilience and all that they have to offer which includes resourcing club, teams, and individuals: including coaches and referees. The summit is being held from November 14-16. And if you are interested you are encouraged to register here

From east coast to west coast, Michael Kell has seen and been in all parts of the US, but he now calls Southern California home. The father of two has recently seen his oldest off to college at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA — his old alma mater. And his son, (Ethan) currently plays with Los Angeles Football Club's Academy program, as a goalkeeper. From the countless hours spent on the sidelines, Michael was curiously stirred by the tremendous amount of need that he would come across as he would patiently sit and watch games with other parents. The felt needs prompted him to start exploring what chaplaincy at the academy level might look like. Enter in Soccer Chaplains United.