Tonight at 7:00 pm Central, Rev Isidro Piña, volunteer chaplain to the Rio Grande Valley Toros FC of the United Soccer League — Championship division, will be leading a bilingual (Spanish and English) service with his church El Buen Pastor (United Methodist) which will air on Facebook Live. Click the link here to watch and participate in the service.
El Buen Pastor is located in Edinburg, Texas and Rev Isidro has been serving RGV Toros FC since 2018.
Soccer Chaplains United has three different offerings during Holy Week for 2021.
Spy Wednesday — Betrayal | This week’s From the Touchline podcast with Rev Brad Kenney looks at betrayal in football and in the life of Jesus. Click here to listen.
Maundy Thursday | Join Soccer Chaplains United with Rev Billy Cerveny, Rev Brad Kenney and and some special guests as we look at Jesus’ foot-washing example from a unique angle and also celebrate Communion, or The Lord’s Supper, virtually. This virtual experience (approx. 20 min) is on our YouTube channel or on our website.
Good Friday | Join Soccer Chaplains United with Chaplain Ben Dudley, Rev Brad Kenney and a special short-feature video designed to help you reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus. This virtual experience (approx. 10 min) begins Friday at 12 am ET on our YouTube channel (Services playlist link) or on our website.
Don’t forget!
You can also download our app (SoccrChapUtd) in the App and Google Play stores to experience these offerings on your mobile device.
Clint Moore, has been serving, unofficially, as chaplain to New Mexico United for the past two seasons. During that time, Clint and I have had a lot of conversations about joining Soccer Chaplains United for mutual collaboration and support as he looks to serve the United Soccer League — Championship (USL) side. Clint is the Pastor over Missions and Community Groups at Christ Church Albuqurque. You can read more about him on his bio page here.
It is always amazing to me how God finds people to work with the soccer community. When New Mexico United was announced as an expansion franchise a few years ago, I began praying, especially since the team is just down the road from Denver. After a few initial reach out inquiries to local pastors within my network, I reached out to friend and former Colorado Rapids player, Mike Graczyk, then assistant coach at University of New Mexico.
Mike, I am looking for candidates that might be interested in doing chaplaincy with New Mexico United, do you know of anyone that might be interested in going through the process?
Mike told me, “I’ve got a guy.”
That guy happened to be Mike’s pastor whose sons have been involved in soccer. An invitation by the Colorado Rapids Developmental Academy to his sons afforded us an opportunity to meet in Parker, Colorado (of all places) and for me to share the vision of Soccer Chaplains United and meet Clint in person.
When I asked Clint to consider the opportunity, he did due diligence – first going to his wife and church leadership to have them help discern what the Lord was doing in this opportunity. With the church’s blessing and with an informal availability and service over the past couple of seasons, Clint has been able to be there — even in the midst of the global pandemic.
It’s been my joy to serve the team voluntarily and informally for the past couple of seasons, truly…My hope is that I’ve been there when needed, but never a distraction. That’s my goal – no pressure for anyone to utilize, but right there and eager as a…resource for anyone in the club who desires it.
Clint, on serving New Mexico United the past few years
Clint’s heart is to missionally serve, not just New Mexico United but the city of Albuquerque, so what better way to do that than through this exciting, professional team?
As Clint officially joins Soccer Chaplains United, he brings the number of chaplains currently serving to 17 chaplains and New Mexico United becomes the 6th USL team being served by Soccer Chaplains United.
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 work.
2020 was an interesting year — for non-profits and soccer, alike. The global pandemic changed many plans for chaplains and for the world of football, in the U.S. and around the world. And, as the world raced to come to grips with the changes and to adapt, Soccer Chaplains United and other groups serving soccer also needed to adjust to the ever-changing and always changing needs.
The Soccer Chaplains United Annual Report 2020 contains a brief summary of the work accomplished in the past year. Of course, there are so many stories and highlights from this past year that you can find on our blog roll, but we’ve tried to condense and put together a summary that holds us accountable to our donors and key stakeholders here in this document.
You can download a pdf copy of the annual report utilizing the download button below.
Soccer Chaplains United is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that relies on the generous support of individual donors and church partners to carry out its work of chaplaincy in soccer.
You can give a safe, secure, electronic, tax-deductible gift via PushPay by clicking the button below or by texting soccerchaplains to 77977. You can also mail a donation to Soccer Chaplains United, PO Box 102081, Denver, CO 80250.
Today marks Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the season of Lent. This 40-day period (excluding Sundays) leading up to Easter is a time to prepare one’s heart, mind, and soul for the redemptive truths and joy that comes with Jesus’ death and resurrection.
This year, with the global pandemic still impacting many in the soccer community, Soccer Chaplains United chaplains have come together to offer their talents, insight, prayer, and encouragement through this video-recorded Ash Wednesday Service.
You can watch on our website, on the app SoccrChapUtd (iOS) (android) , or by linking through our social media pages: Facebook and LinkedIn.
YouTube English Version (40 min)
YouTube Spanish Version (42 min)
Download an English version of the Order of Service
Download a Spanish version of the Order of Service
Join with Colorado Rapids chaplain Rev Brad Kenney, Portland Timbers co-chaplain Ben Dudley, Nashville SC chaplain Billy Cerveny, Portland Thorns chaplain Christina Garber, Memphis 901 FC chaplain Greg Aydt, Rio Grande Valley Toros FC chaplain Isidro Piña, Tacoma Defiance chaplain Jubal McDaniel, and Valor Christian High School chaplain Greg Navitsky as they share scripture, prayer, music, teaching, and the application of ashes for any willing to consider their frailty and need for God.
Please join us tomorrow for our video-recorded, Ash Wednesday Service. Several chaplains serving all different levels of the soccer community — from high school soccer to Major League Soccer and National Women’s Soccer League, will be reading, praying, teaching, singing and leading a heart-filled time of preparation at the beginning of the season of Lent.
The service will be available starting at 12:00 am Eastern and will have an English version and Spanish version (mostly translated audio dub).
Find the service on the website, in our app (SoccrChapUtd), and linked through our other social media outlets.
I had the exciting privilege last week to visit on Zoom with several sports chaplains serving in Russia. The sports chaplaincy meeting featured a couple of American chaplains (including myself) sharing different chaplaincy outreach methods during this global pandemic and hearing from the Russian chaplains about the various ministry opportunities that they have had during the last year or so.
One of the things that I shared as being an “adaptation” during the pandemic has been sending audio prayers to different athletes, coaches, and staff. Different than a text message or even a Zoom Bible study or meeting, being able to pray over people — whether before a match or during a difficult time — has been one of the things that God has used during the last year to speak into people’s lives, even in spite of the distance because of COVID-19.
The Zoom meeting with he chaplains was impressive — our translator did an excellent job of conveying different words and American idioms as part of this chaplaincy training. Hosted and facilitated by Roger Lipe, who serves as the Southern Illinois University Saluki sports chaplain for FCA, the meeting lasted a little over an hour.
The digital, online meetings have been an increased feature for global sports chaplaincy during the past year, as well. In previous years, most sports chaplaincy training and connection happened in person and was difficult with travel costs and arrangements of schedules. The rise of technology like Zoom has offered more opportunities to connect and learn from and share with chaplains in sport from around the world (including a time of sharing with soccer chaplains in India, back in May 2020).
A curious thing for me was the makeup of the different sports that these Russian chaplains were involved in. While we didn’t have time for everyone to go around and share the ministry or work that they were involved in, most of the Russian chaplains that did share seemed to be working in the sport of basketball.
It was great to hear some of the stories (through translation) of how God opens doors for chaplains to serve and love the people in sport — even in Russia. As one of the chaplains shared, I couldn’t help but think, “that sounds like a familiar story” — God working through people who show love and demonstrate that they care for people. There is a certain irresistible attraction.
Please pray for chaplains in sport around the world — in Russia, in the United States and beyond!
Soccer Chaplains United is non-profit, 501(c)3 and depends upon the financial support of individual donors and church partners to carry out our work of chaplaincy service across all levels of soccer. Our chaplains are not employed or paid by any of the clubs that we serve. Simply click the PushPay (the big P or give tab) link below to make a secure, online, tax-deductible gift, or mail a donation to Soccer Chaplains United, PO Box 102081, Denver, CO 80250.
Of the three Major League Soccer (MLS) teams which have Soccer Chaplains United chaplains serving and supporting the organizations, only one team has pulled through the first round of the 2020 MLS playoffs. Nashville SC, a new, expansion team for 2020 won their first round playoff match last night to advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Columbus Crew.
Colorado Rapids the #5 seed in the Western Conference, on Sunday, lost 3-0 in an away trip against #4 seed, Minnesota United. The team started brightly, and looks dominate in many parts of the game, but ultimately injuries and lineup changes led to a few inconsistencies and unfinished chances and the Rapids quickly exited after having last been in the MLS playoffs in 2016. As volunteer chaplain for the Rapids, I shared with someone recently about the loss,
It really feels devastating in a number of ways — after watching the team face challenge after challenge this year — months away from families, starts and stops to the season, a COVID-19 outbreak amongst the team…and then there are a lot of unmet and unrealized hopes and expectations. To come this far and to achieve (for the team) a spot in the playoffs has been a tremendous feat, but I know to a person — from front office to the footballers to the equipment staff — everyone had hoped for so much more. I am super proud of each and everyone who gave their all and I pray that as we rest and get ready for next year there will be a looking back on a solid foundation laid for the future.
The Portland Timbers faced similar challenges this year, albeit a win in the MLS is Back bubble tournament earlier in the year might soften the early exit for the #3 seed in the West. Portland had a home match against #6 FC Dallas, and nearly advanced, but top man Diego Valeri’s chip-shot effort glanced the outside of the far-post. The teams, drawn, finally went to penalty kicks and FC Dallas came out on top. Timber co-chaplain, Ben Dudley, commented on the loss,
Always tough to lose a match, especially, on PK’s. Proud of the team and their resilience this season. 2020 MLS is Back Champs is something that we will uniquely claim! 2021 here we come!
Ben Dudley, volunteer co-chaplain Portland Timbers
For Nashville SC, 2020 is also a year and season full of trial and adversity. Beginning with the spring tornados which trashed East Nashville, the team being suspended from the MLS is Back bubble tournament in Orlando because of a COVID-19 outbreak, to even a “minor” early-season switch from the Western Conference to Eastern Conference, Nashville SC has also had its own challenges to face.
So when Nashville SC handily beat expansion-side Inter Miami FC 3-0 in the play-in game for the Eastern Conference Playoffs, that was one thing. But last night’s 1-0 win in extra time against perennial playoff contender and former MLS Cup winners (2017), the #2 seed in the East, Toronto FC meant a new level for this new Nashville team. Soccer Chaplains United volunteer chaplain, Rev Billy Cerveny expressed his emotions with me in a text exchange, last night:
For the teams that have finished, end-of-season meetings will inform players about team plans for next season. Some will end up moving on from their teams, some will stay. Some will have contract negotiations, offers from other teams. Some are preparing to welcome a new child to the family. Some will be getting married. The busyness of life will resume (briefly) until the pre-season begins again.
For Nashville SC and the other remaining MLS playoff teams, December 12 is what they are all striving for — the MLS Cup trophy match. There’s still football to be played!
I had the privilege last week to speak with students at Denver Seminary, my alma mater, and share about my work in sport chaplaincy. The course, Many Faces of Chaplaincy, is part of the core curriculum base for those studying chaplaincy — whether in the Master of Divinity track or the seminary’s Chaplaincy Certificate Program.
For me, sometimes the class can be a great opportunity to see the growth of chaplaincy and some have even been curious enough to look more into serving as a chaplain in sport, and even with Soccer Chaplains United. Most students are looking into military or hospital/healthcare chaplaincy opportunities.
This go around, I was surprised at the large numbers of students in the class — the seminary’s recent development of online programs, perhaps, a reason for the larger class size. I was also pleasantly surprised at a number of international students — three of them from Africa that were studying chaplaincy at Denver Seminary.
After a short introduction, myself and three other presenters took round robin questions from Dr. Jan McCormack about the nature of our different expressions of chaplaincy. Particular emphasis was on the entrepreneurial nature of our chaplaincy work — especially with being in sport. Questions about standards and proficiencies also were subjects covered in the 2-hour zoom, with questions from the students at the end of the class time
Additionally, I shared with the students about the growth of sport chaplaincy around the world and encouraged them to consider that wherever God may take them in ministry and life — if they have a passion for sport and available time, to consider being a volunteer chaplain in a sporting context.
As an alumni of Denver Seminary, it’s always great to serve and share to the next generation of chaplains coming out of the school. It is a way of giving back and I hope that in the future there will be more opportunities and more interest from students to really explore the many, many opportunities to become a chaplain and pastoral presence in sport.
This month, I have been writing a couple features for the chaplains that are support raising through Soccer Chaplains United. Some chaplains are raising expenditures, some raise a small stipend and expenses, and others (like myself) raise their salary along with their expenses.
It feels weird to write about myself — not to toot my own horn, but someone recently asked, “How is your own support raising?” I often lump in my own needs into the overall organization and try not to make it a lot about myself, but since leaving full-time work in the church a number of years ago, my family is quite dependent on my work and my fundraising efforts, as well. With that in mind, I wanted to share a little bit about myself and ministry for one of our October highlights of chaplains. You can also read a bit here in my bio.
So, 2020 marks my 19th year of serving voluntarily as chaplain to the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer. I began serving in this capacity in 2002 and for much of that time (up until 2015) the work was very much within the margins of my time and ministry as both a hospice chaplain and as a pastor at a local church, here in Colorado. Both the hospice and church were gracious in allowing me additional time and space to fulfill my role and duties to serve the Rapids organization through those years and my income during that time meant that I only needed to minimally fundraise for my expenditures.
Today, I am unique in my work with Soccer Chaplains United — I am currently the only employee of Soccer Chaplains United. My time and work is split several different ways and I want to share this with you because you can hopefully see where some of my passions lie and also see how I typically spend my week.
In a non-Covid world, I usually make myself available to serve the Rapids organization around 3 days a week. Between serving the first-team, development academy, front-office staff, and alumni of the organization there is plenty to keep me busy. There is a healthy mix of individual support and group times that goes into coming alongside of the people that make up this professional soccer organization.
The next most significant part of my time (ranging from 2-3 days) is in the program efforts of leading Soccer Chaplains United. Here — it might be coaching a chaplain through a particular situation with his or her team, it might be looking for chaplain candidates in a new city, or building relationships with a club and explaining and educating on what chaplaincy is and isn’t. Of course, there is a percentage of time given over to administrative tasks — sometimes conducting a background check on a chaplain candidate or coming up with educational equivalency plans, as well as laying out the vision for the organization and developing the future vision. And a portion of my time also includes raising funds — for my own support and for the organization itself.
In honor of October being pastoral appreciation month, if you would like to make a financial contribution to help me and my family, I encourage you to hit the PushPay button below and select General from the drop-down selectable funds list.
Soccer Chaplains United is non-profit, 501(c)3 and we depend upon the financial support of our individual donors and church partners to carry out our work of developing chaplaincy, counseling, and community service across all levels of soccer. Please consider making a contribution today to support myself and to help us continue growing our work.
Thanks for your support!