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Stories, news, and events from Soccer Chaplains United’s grant program to help distribute new and used soccer gear for use in local and global projects.

Timothy Project: Nuevo Tantoan, MX – Final Update on Los Burritos

Chaplain Cesar Duran and his wife Andrea relocated from Denver to Laredo, Texas in the summer of 2017.  This meant Soccer Chaplains United and the Colorado Rapids had to say goodbye to their Spanish-speaking chaplain and translator, Cesar.  But this move brought the Durans closer to their home and opened new opportunities to explore.

Andrea Duran recently shared an update on the Timothy Project request they made last year before leaving Denver.

August 2, 2017, I had the opportunity to visit the “Burritos” soccer team of Nuevo Tantoan, Mante Mexico. That afternoon they were training on the field, and I gave them the donation from Soccer Chaplains United’s Timothy Project. This donation included a cooler, soccer balls, water bottles, and jerseys of the Colorado Rapids.

I shared with them the responsibilities of a chaplain. Some of the soccer players met my husband, former bilingual chaplain of Colorado Rapids, Cesar. They were talking about the Rapids and asked about Tim Howard and other players. I also shared with them the gospel of Jesus Christ and the importance of the spiritual life. I explained to them how the Bible compares the care of the spiritual life with the effort of an athlete. For an athlete, it is most important to get the trophy and be the winner. This goal helps them to have discipline, train and spend a lot of time working with that in mind: be a champion! Many athletes sacrifice their families and many things, but to get the goal is the most important for them.

I shared with them about the love of God and all that God is offering to them. I also had the opportunity to listen to their dreams, victories, families, and goals. They also shared about the bad times on the field and their frustration as a soccer team. I prayed for them and motivated them to give the best from themselves in the next match.

After our time of visiting and encouraging one another, they opened the cooler and found the jerseys.  They were happy wearing their new jerseys.  All of them also were thankful and invited me to attend their next match. They also share words of thanksgiving for the Timothy Project donation. Thank you, Soccer Chaplains United, through the Timothy Project, for bringing happiness to my people in Mexico.

To support future Timothy Project ventures such as including Nuevo Tantoan, Mexico with our donations please donate through PushPay — simply select Timothy Project from the selectable funds to contribute to. Your financial gift helps us purchase new equipment, sponsor a missionary or organization in an outreach effort, and to cover associated costs of providing Bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!

#TPT

Timothy Project: One World Futbol, Play On….And On…

Timothy Project: Soccer Chaplains United has packaged and delivered soccer gear around the world, again and again.  Sometimes the gear goes to small, remote villages that are not represented on a map, other times the gear is distributed in cities with too many people to count.  Regardless of what we send, with whom we send it or to where it is going, we try to include at least a few One World Futbols.

One World Play Project is a B Corporation founded in 2010 by a man passionate to provide disadvantaged people around the world with the gift of play, more specifically play that does not deflate in the harsh environments of refugee camps, thorny vegetation, and glass-ridden playing fields.

One World Play Project has developed an indestructible futbol (soccer ball) that is capable of withstanding the harshest environments.  The ball can be punctured, driven over by a vehicle or weather any storm and still reinflate for play.

“The One World Futbol was just the beginning. The impact of our efforts showed us that the need for play was something much greater. We discovered play’s critical role in the lives of people all over the world—and where play can take us all tomorrow.”

Play is in our DNA—a need as important as food, medicine, and shelter. It’s an intrinsic part of our lives, regardless of geography or culture, and through play, we become stronger individuals, build better communities and create a more positive future,” One World Play Project website.

Soccer Chaplains United is honored to be able to include One World Futbols with our soccer gear donations.  To date more than 1.8 million balls have been donated/distributed to over 175 countries which has impacted an estimated 54 million youth.  (https://twitter.com/oneworldplayprj/status/921438327814815744)

To support future Timothy Project ventures such as including One World Futbols with our donations please donate through PushPay — simply select Timothy Project from the selectable funds to contribute to. Your financial gift helps us purchase new equipment, sponsor a missionary or organization in an outreach effort, and to cover associated costs of providing Bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!

#TPT

 

Timothy Project: CCPC Juarez 2017 Final Update

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Timothy Project: Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church, Juarez 2017.  Soccer Chaplains United has a strong commitment to support ministry partners.  Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church of  Englewood, Colorado is a ministry partner so great efforts went into providing a robust Timothy Project donation when they requested it for their recent trip to Juarez, Mexico.

These reflections capture Emily Smith’s experience of her time on the trip:  Timothy Project generously donated many soccer-related items for our team of 35 from Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church to take with us on our recent mission trip to Juarez, Mexico.  Our church has been taking teams down to Juarez for nearly thirty years and it was a blessing to be a part of this year’s team.  So much of what we are doing while there is to support and encourage the local church with which we partner.

We strive to draw in as many people from the community as possible.  Soccer and games are instrumental in that effort.  Sharing the Timothy Project donations with the local church and community during a long and lively game of soccer at the city park one of the days we were there was such a delight.  We divided the shirts and jerseys between the two teams of players and continued on with our game, enjoying it all the more because of the gifts. Chaplain Brad Kenney, director of Soccer Chaplains United and a team member for Juarez shared,

 

It’s always amazing to me how a round ball can break down so many barriers – age, gender, culture, language – we were all able to play and share in a fun game of soccer with people from the church.  Shouts of ‘aqui’ or ‘tranquilo’ throughout the game made our time memorable.

Later in the week, a particularly special blessing for us was getting to hear the church leaders tell us about the first mission trip they took as a church last year into Mexico City and surrounding impoverished areas.  After many years of receiving the love and encouragement of our church’s mission to them, they were inspired to do the same and go out and support a church in their own country on a mission trip.  We gathered together one night for them to show us a slideshow of pictures from their trip and to hear more about how they were impacted by it.  We surprised them at the end of that evening with more Timothy Project gifts, but these were for them to give on their next mission trip. Parker Dragovich, team lead for this year’s trip, shared about the church,

We have been in partnership with La Iglesia Maranatha for almost 30 years, and the Timothy Project has been a wonderful addition the past several years.  What made this particularly special is that the Timothy Project not only provided us with supplies for our trip but also supplies for the Juarez church to take on their own mission trip to southern Mexico next summer.

 

Sharing soccer jerseys and gear with them during our fun day at the park was sweet but how much sweeter it was to give them a gift that they could pass along.  The truth that it is better to give than to receive was written all over their faces as they teared up with joy from the blessing they would be able to pass on to others.  Thank you, Timothy Project, for your generosity and work in stewarding gifts and allowing us to use those gifts to bless others.

To support future Timothy Project ventures such as this one to Juarez, Mexico please donate through PushPay — simply select Timothy Project from the selectable funds to contribute to. Your financial gift helps us purchase new equipment, sponsor a missionary or organization in an outreach effort, and to cover associated costs of providing Bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!

#TPT

Liyana and Soccer Chaplains United

This week at the Denver Film Festival, in its 40th anniversary, local Colorado filmmakers Aaron and Amanda Kopp co-produced and directed film Liyana is being played and has a special connection to Soccer Chaplains United.

In 2016, Tim Rogers made a special Timothy Project request as he and his fiancé, Tiersa planned to honeymoon in Swaziland. Tiersa had worked at an orphanage in Swaziland and the plan was to take down soccer gear for the children of the orphanage and run some soccer camps. You can read the story on our former website by clicking here.

That same orphanage is where the story of Liyana is born.

*Liyana is a Swazi girl who embarks on a dangerous quest to rescue her young twin brothers. This animated African tale is born in the imaginations of five orphaned children in Swaziland who collaborate to tell a story of perseverance drawn from their darkest memories and brightest dreams. Their fictional character’s journey is interwoven with poetic and observational documentary scenes to create a genre-defying celebration of collective storytelling.

(*from the film’s website)

If you have a chance to see the film, you will get a deeper understanding of the children and their lives that are touched through projects and programs like Soccer Chaplains United’s Timothy Project.

Thank you for your support of the Timothy Project — you help make a difference in the lives of children around the world!

To support future Timothy Project ventures please donate through PushPay — simply select Timothy Project from the selectable funds to contribute to. Your financial gift helps us purchase new equipment, sponsor a missionary or organization in an outreach effort, and to cover associated costs of providing Bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!

#TPT

Timothy Project Donations – How the Gear Gets From Here to There

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Long before Soccer Chaplains United begins to pull gear for a trip, many things are happening to plant the seeds that will grow into a bounty of blessings in a far-off land.

When a church partner or organization is in the planning stages of a mission trip they first determine if taking along soccer gear will fit into their trip goals. If so, the group then decides if they have packing space to travel with the gear and do they have a place or group of people to whom the gear will be given.

The group will then come to Soccer Chaplains United’s website and fill out a form formally requesting gear. In the form, they share details about their trip, which gear they’d like and how much they’re able to take. Once approved Soccer Chaplains United sets to work preparing for the give. Often times Soccer Chaplains United purchases new equipment due to the fact that not all items requested are donated, such as soccer balls or soccer nets.

Soccer Chaplains United will prepare in advance by gathering all the requested supplies to be delivered to the group’s Packing Party. At the Packing Party, a Soccer Chaplains United team member will formally present the gear with a talk and a prayer.

Soccer Chaplain United’s latest award was to church partner Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church for their annual trip down to Juarez, Mexico.

Reverend Brad Kenney presented the donations, which included coolers, jerseys, soccer balls, water bottles, cleats, socks, and t-shirts. He shared from where it all came and the spirit in which it was given to Soccer Chaplains United. He talked about the privilege it is for the Timothy Project to be involved in reaching the people of Juarez with these gifts.

As the Denver Community Coordinator, I was able to be in attendance and because Rev Kenney was going on the trip, he asked me to pray for the team, the trip, and the donations. This was a neat opportunity for me and is part of of what we value doing at Soccer Chaplains United — not just giving away gear, but blessing the people and groups who will give it and those who will receive it. My prayer over the team went something like this:

Father God, we praise You for this opportunity that this team of families from Cherry Creek Presbyterian Churchs has to travel to Juarez to work alongside the community and to bless them with this soccer gear that is before us.  Lord, we pray for strength and unity within the Cherry Creek Presbyterian team that they are able to represent the Body of Christ well.  We thank you for the gift of this soccer gear, let it be a blessing to all those who receive it in Juarez.

To support future Timothy Project ventures such as this one to Juarez, Mexico please donate through PushPay — simply select Timothy Project from the selectable funds to contribute to. Your financial gift helps us purchase new equipment, sponsor a missionary or organization in an outreach effort, and to cover associated costs of providing Bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!

#TPT

 

Timothy Project – Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church Juarez 2017

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Soccer Chaplains United’s Timothy Project is pleased to once again supply Colorado Rapids soccer donations to ministry partner, Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church as a team of 30 plans to cross the US/Mexico border into Juarez.  Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church has been working closely with the community in Juarez for several years and it is always a joy to partner with them when a team goes down each year.

As the years pass and teams continue to go travel to Juarez, relationships with the local residents continue to grow, continue to deepen.  Soccer is an integral reason for this.  Pick up soccer games are common morning, noon and evening and all are welcome to play, regardless ability and skill.  The Timothy Project has helped to build the bridge between Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church members and the people of Juarez.  Timothy Project gear opens the door for soccer to be played.

This year the team will consist of several families, many of whom have young children.  Most of these children have not experienced a cross-cultural opportunity that this trip will afford.  One young participant, Jacob Smith, shares his excitement as the travel date nears.

“My name is Jacob Smith. I am 11 years old and am headed to Juarez, Mexico with 30 other people from my church. This is my first mission trip. We are going to a small church to help them run a VBS program for their community and help with work projects such as building houses. I love soccer and have been playing since I was three years old. I am looking forward to reaching kids in Mexico by playing soccer with them. I can’t wait to make new friends and share soccer gifts from the Timothy Project with them. Thank you so much for supporting our trip and sharing with the kids in Juarez.”

Though the team asked for minimal donations, due to the extreme generosity of the Colorado Rapids supplying Soccer Chaplains United, through the Timothy Project, is able to send far more than they requested.  These pictures show the gathering of the gear that will travel with the team into Juarez.

To support future Timothy Project ventures such as this one to Juarez, Mexico please donate through PushPay — simply select Timothy Project from the selectable funds to contribute to. Your financial gift helps us purchase new equipment, sponsor a missionary or organization in an outreach effort, and to cover associated costs of providing Bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!

#TPT

Timothy Project – Liberia 2017 Final Update

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Timothy Project Liberia 2017 Update — Over 75 pairs of soccer cleats were gathered and sent with Thomas Fahn and his organization, Liberian Institute for Empowerment (L.I.F.E) in early summer of this year.  The cleats were gifted to Soccer Chaplains United, many from team donations but some from individual players.  They were an array of colors and sizes.  When all laid out on the field for the players to choose, it looked like a rainbow of colors, a rainbow of blessings.

When Fahn reached out to Soccer Chaplains United with a request for equipment, he shared the reality of the status of his soccer organization.

Right now, we are in desperate need of the following items in order to keep our soccer program going and to ensure its future success: * Uniforms – (youth sizes) 10 sets of jerseys minimum * Young adult soccer cleats (sizes 7-12) – 50 pairs minimum * Youth soccer cleats (sizes 4-7)– 40 pairs minimum * Training cones – 100 minimum * Youth training vests – 22 pieces minimum * Young adult training vests – 22 pieces minimum * Size 5 soccer balls – 30 minimum * Size 4 soccer balls – 20 minimum.

While Soccer Chaplains United was not able to fill his entire request, we were able to fulfill nearly all the soccer cleats, the jerseys and many of the soccer balls, among other items.  It has brought great joy and satisfaction to us at Soccer Chaplains United to see the cleats laid out on the field for players to choose.  Hopefully the same feelings of satisfaction will be felt by our supporters and those involved with Soccer Chaplains United.

Fahn has recently returned from Liberia and wrote to Soccer Chaplains United with these words, “Thanks a lot for standing along with us in providing our youth with hope through our soccer program. More than two hundred players benefited from the sporting equipment and they are very grateful for the kind gesture.”

To support future Timothy Project ventures, please donate through PushPay — simply select Timothy Project from the selectable funds to contribute to. Your financial gift helps up purchase new equipment, sponsor a missionary or organization in an outreach effort, and to cover associated costs of providing bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!

#TPT

Timothy Project: Future of Timothy Project In Light Of Re-Branding

CrossTraining Timothy ProjectTimothy 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 in the works.  Not only is Timothy Project being protected with the new brand but there are plans in the works to expand Timothy Project’s impact.  Currently, Timothy Project touches lives internationally.  Local teams take soccer gear across continents to the far corners of our world.  In the future, we are hoping to expand Timothy Project’s reach to our surrounding soccer communities.

As CrossTraining fulfills its new vision, Timothy Project will expand into places it has never gone before.  Just as Timothy Project has cared for thousands across the globe with soccer gear, clothing and soccer supplies the future will be caring for our immediate community in ways only possible when in immediate proximity.

During the ReBrand Launch Party to be hosted at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park Timothy Project will be highlighted and the future hopes and dreams of the ministry will be laid out for all to see.

To support future Timothy Project ventures, please use the Donate button to make a secure PayPal donation. Your financial gift helps to secure additional equipment, sponsor a missionary or organization in an outreach effort, and to cover associated costs of providing bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!

#TPT

Timothy Project: Year To Date Project Award Recipients In Pictures

CrossTraining Timothy Project

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 travelers and some novice.  Some are athletes who love the sport and some not so much.  But all of them have gratefully taken the gear donated by the Rapids organization and lovingly and carefully redistributed it to those who will probably never get to see a Rapids game played.

 

Valor Christian High School – Costa Rica

Liberian Institute for Empowerment

Colorado Springs Christian Schools with Inca Link

Valor Christian High School – Kenya

Mountain Springs Church & Beyond Survival – Swaziland

Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church – Uganda

Nuevo Tantoan, Mexico – Los Burritos

This is a series of photographs showing soccer gear donations, locations, and organizations but the stories behind all of it are why the Timothy Project continues.  There is a greater purpose of just moving donations from storage boxes to the world, out of America and into the world and that is why the Timothy Project exists.  Join us, will you?

To support future Timothy Project ventures, please use the Donate button to make a secure PayPal donation. Your financial gift helps to secure additional equipment, sponsor a missionary or organization in an outreach effort, and to cover associated costs of providing bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!

#TPT

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Timothy Project: Year To Date Project Award Recipients 2017 – an editorial

CrossTraining Timothy Project

Timothy Project: Year To Date Project Award Recipients Summary 2017 – an editorial.

I joined the CrossTraining team February 1 with little knowledge of the professional soccer industry.  While soccer filled large amounts of my weekly schedule, it was barely a hint at the caliber of Major League Soccer.  My soccer experiences included sitting in comfy folding chairs on the sidelines while visiting with other soccer moms, growing relationships and evaluating how our sons were progressing through the season.

I had gleaned insights and perspectives from Chaplain Brad Kenney over time as he shared about CrossTraining, the Rapids and his passion for chaplaincy.  Those gleanings did not leave me star struck with famous players or a Rapids super-fan but instead moved my heart toward the undercurrents of CrossTraining’s purpose.  I was enthralled with the mission of CrossTraining.  My teen years provided large amounts of exposure and involvement with professional athletes through my father’s business.  But the angles are different, then it was business, financial; here it is empathy, support, love.  Both focused on the individual player but for different purposes.

I was asked to join as the Timothy Project Coordinator.  The Timothy Project is the piece of CrossTraining that takes the ‘stuff’ of the MLS and spreads it throughout the world as gifts of blessings.  Since February I have had the joy of watching immense amounts of soccer gear move from CrossTraining headquarters to far corners of our world.

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 travelers and some novice.  Some are athletes who love the sport and some not so much.  But all of them have gratefully taken the gear donated by the Rapids organization and lovingly and carefully redistributed it to those who will probably never get to see a Rapids game played.

This is a summation of the project award recipients and the gear they were able to take with them.

This is a list of soccer gear, locations, and organizations but the stories behind all of it are why the Timothy Project continues.  There is a greater purpose of just moving donations from storage boxes to the world, out of America and into the world and that is why the Timothy Project exists.  Join us, will you?

To support future Timothy Project ventures, please use the Donate button to make a secure PayPal donation. Your financial gift helps to secure additional equipment, sponsor a missionary or organization in an outreach effort, and to cover associated costs of providing bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!

#TPT

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