2021 saw the continuation, in many ways, of the challenges that came to be nearly normalized in 2020 — for non-profits and for soccer, alike.
For the most part, Soccer Chaplains United maintained in the midst of challenging times, and as 2022 begins, we feel poised to step into further and greater opportunities as the sport continues to grow in North America and beyond.
The Soccer Chaplains United Annual Report 2021 reviews the work of the ministry over the course of the past year.
You can view the annual report like a booklet by utilizing the link 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.
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Screen-Shot-2022-03-01-at-3.01.46-PM.png17981422Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2022-03-01 15:00:002022-03-01 15:22:432021 Soccer Chaplains United Annual Report
The Valor Guatemala Discovery Team returned a number of weeks ago from their immersion trip and shared a number of photos and videos with us from their time in Guatemala. If you take the time to read the blog and the short snippets below and to look at the pictures, you will see the goodness of God on the smiles and faces of the Valor team and the people of Zacapa.
I wanted to also say, that as the father of four daughters, it really is powerful to see girls being valued and the way in which a uniform or a shirt can bring smile and joy when offered as an unconditional gift from even a complete stranger. With as many years as I have been involved in the game of soccer (fútbol), it never gets old to see smiling faces and new friends made over a game of soccer and this often lets us have an opportunity to share the love and hope that we have in Jesus with others.
Below are some of the stories and memories from the Valor team. Don’t forget you can go to their blog to read more.
One World Play Balls are virtually indestructible and provide a lot of fun play especially in places like Zacapa.
There were so many ways we were able to involve soccer in our ministry activities during our time in Zacapa, Guatemala. On our first day, we visited a community called La Fragua to spend some time with the kids from there and bless their families with bags of food and shoes. It was quickly evident that the kids were interested in the soccer balls we brought, and we started a pickup game using rocks for our goals. The game was intense…the kids were following the ball everywhere, yelling “Pasamelo” and “Aqui,” and celebrating with so much excitement when goals were scored. We were able to donate a soccer ball to their community for them to play soccer whenever they’d like!
Lauren, Valor Student Guatemala Discovery 2021/22
On a separate occasion, we visited a place with two communal, small-sized turf fields to play an organized game of soccer. Kids from a community called La Linea and some of their fathers showed up to play with our team. We split into three teams and played non-stop until the sun had set! Shortly after we began, two women from a professional women’s team from the La Fragua community showed up to play with us as well. After we finished, we were able to give the women a complete set of Rapids jerseys to bring back to their team!
Lauren, Valor Student Guatemala Discovery 2021/22
Soccer was a common activity everywhere we went. We were able to use it to connect and form friendships with the people we met, and I know God was present while we shared this passion with the people of Guatemala.
Lauren, Valor Student Guatemala Discovery 2021/22
Brad, Thank you again!!! Even after we left, they continue to pass out supplies.
Danny Brooks, Valor Teacher/Leader Guatemala Discovery 2021/22
Remember, when you support Soccer Chaplains United, a portion of your gift automatically goes to help our community projects and requests. You can give specifically to help cover our costs by making a gift through PushPay — simply select Community from the selectable funds. Your financial gift helps us purchase new soccer equipment, sponsor individuals or organizations, and cover associated costs of providing Bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/IMG_2230-scaled.jpg14401920Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2022-02-17 10:00:002022-02-17 09:34:26God’s Goodness in Guatemala
The Valor Christian High School team which recently (Dec 26, 2021) went down to Guatemala has some updates to share about how their trip, their community service work, and their times of witness are going. To read more, from the student’s perspective, follow this link.
Annika plays soccer with a brand new, pink soccer ball from Soccer Chaplains United’s Community Project and makes some new friends.
I played soccer with a lot of them and the kids were having a great time. I also got to jump rope and dance with a lot of the girls. I made a connection with a girl named Gracie. I had braids in my hair and most of the girls want us to braid their hair. I braided Gracie’s hair and she had such a big smile on her face. The girls kept asking a lot of us to be their “Madrina” (godmother) and most of us were able to make a big connection with one or two kids in the community. We also were able to paint the school in the community. There was a water line on the wall of the school from the floods.
Annika
The Valor team plays in the “las ganchas” with their new friends, handing out donated soccer gear from Soccer Chaplains United.
One of the students (Zac) shared about his experience playing soccer in a few different settings in Guatemala.
I loved playing soccer with the kids because I saw a joy that I don’t encounter often. We were playing on the side of a mountain/cemetery and there were lots of things that had the ability to damper the fun of soccer; however, the kids and some of the team members had a lot of fun laughing when we would trip on a rock and celebrating a goal made from two rocks. In the end, we gave the community a soccer ball from Soccer Chaplains United where they will be able to practice and play whenever they want.
After the few hours with the kids, we played soccer in what they call “las ganchas” which had synthetic turf and a few small-sided goals. We played with some of the people of our ministry partners’ church, and we played for a few hours and had a lot of fun. After a few hours of playing, we left exhausted, happy, and ready to sleep. After this trip, I will never take sleep for granted!
Zac
Not all soccer fields have grass and are flat and level. A picture from an earlier trip to Guatemala illustrates Zac’s experience of playing soccer on the side of a mountain.
Remember, when you support Soccer Chaplains United, a portion of your gift automatically goes to help our community projects and requests. You can give specifically to help cover our costs by making a gift through PushPay — simply select Community from the selectable funds. Your financial gift helps us purchase new soccer equipment, sponsor individuals or organizations, and cover associated costs of providing Bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/eea087a5535fd41b377bf5b8ae1f136e.png9811708Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2022-01-06 10:00:002022-01-06 10:56:46From Zacapa, With Love
This December 26th, a team of 19 high school students from Valor Christian High School will travel to Guatemala for 16 days. The team will spend a majority of ministry time working with the community that lives around the city dump in Zacapa, Guatemala.
Children in Guatemala play with a makeshift goal
Soccer will be a significant part of the team’s ministry as they hold soccer camps and outreach projects in the community. With all that has gone on in the pas couple of years, this community has great need and not only does the Valor team hope to provide ministry to them while there, but also leave behind some gear that would enrich their lives. Other projects include building a house, working on literacy projects, and distributing supplies in the community.
Danny Brooks will lead Valor students to Guatemala for service and soccer
Danny Brooks, Spanish Instructor at Valor and the team leader for the Discovery Trip, is familiar with the poverty and need in Guatemala having served as a missionary and pastor there for a number of years before coming to Valor.
Having lived in Zacapa, Guatemala for five years, I have seen the challenges that this community faces, both spiritually and economically. We are so privileged to bring a team of high school students who will minister cross culturally to leave a lasting impact on this community, while also confronting their own world views of living in a privileged society here in Denver. We are thankful for the opportunity to work with amazing ministry partners in Guatemala who has focused on this community and helped sustain them physically and spiritually during the continuing pandemic.
Daniel Brooks, Faculty, Valor Christian
Danny and the Valor team will be working with local missionaries. Below is an excerpt from Erin and Javier’s recent newsletter:
…
This week we started a new project that I am very excited about. Marcolfa is an elderly lady who we met at the garbage dump last year. We have visited her in her home and she has come to our meetings where we minister and feed children. Her home is made out of different found materials. She told us that her metal roof leaks, so she has sheets of nylon under that where she puts rags to soak up the rain. In these pictures you can see the inside and outside of her home. I am broken when I think of this little lady during one of the tropical storms we have here in Guatemala.
One of the difficult things about building a home for people is that their current dwelling must be torn down in order to build in exactly the same place. There is not an abundance of land in Guatemala and every square inch is taken advantage of when building. The family must make a temporary shelter in a tiny space or stay somewhere else while their home is being built. That is why we try to do most projects as quickly as possible, about 8-10 days.
We told Marcolfa that her home had to be torn down in order to build her a new one. What a huge step of faith, destroying all you have to make way for something new. Before even a bag of cement or metal beam or workers with tools showed up, she gladly did what needed to be done with the help of her grandchildren.
Marcolfa’s old house and land being cleared
Here is Marcolfa (above) in the space cleared to build her house. Every family that we help, every home that is built, we tell people that this is an earthly home, but it is nothing in comparison to what God is preparing for us, our eternal home.
…
Working primarily with children, both boys and girls, the team is requesting as many soccer balls as possible — 30 or more — size 4 and 5; as well as jerseys approximately 30 sizes child-small adult.
We can’t wait to join Erin, Javier, and their team to bless the people in Zacapa!
Danny Brooks
Remember, when you support Soccer Chaplains United, a portion of your gift automatically goes to help our community projects and requests. You can give specifically to help cover our costs by making a gift through PushPay — simply select Community from the selectable funds. Your financial gift helps us purchase new soccer equipment, sponsor individuals or organizations, and cover associated costs of providing Bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Screen-Shot-2018-08-15-at-8.59.01-PM.png562614Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2021-11-18 00:00:002021-11-17 14:37:50Valor Returning to Zacapa, Guatemala For Service and Soccer
“It’s a good tired” I shared with a friend who asked about the recent family mission trip to Juárez, Mexico. Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church, one of the sponsoring churches of Soccer Chaplains United, and the church where my family and I worship and are members, completed what is thought to be the 30th year of ministry and mission with Pastor Jorge Mata and his church, Iglesia Maranatha Presbiteriana. The church, just a stone’s throw across the US border, has endured many struggles during the COVID pandemic — spiritually, emotionally, economically, and more.
The family mission trip involves a week-long stay on the church grounds and various work projects and Vacation Bible School (VBS) programs for the neighborhood children, some of whom are extremely poor. This year’s team of 18 adults and youth, spent time working, serving, and worshipping with the church — something which was not able to happen in 2020 due to the state of the global pandemic and the closing of the US/Mexico border.
On Sunday, church members play fútbol with team members at a local park.
The border still remains closed today for “non-essential” travel. This has greatly impacted many of the church members and the neighborhood, as many of the women worked in El Paso cleaning homes and doing other work on a daily and semi-regular way. The economic impact has been severely felt amongst many of the families living in the neighborhood area of the church — and so, the visit of Cherry Creek after last year’s absence, has brought much encouragement to the church members and to Pastor Jorge. He shared the day after our departure:
Hoping that your return trip has been good and that you are all already resting. Yesterday and today we were working a little, trying to finish the projects. The Church is very lively, you coming did us a lot of good. Our Lord bless you, and again thank you very much!!
Pastor Jorge Mata
In addition to sharing some of the soccer gear through Soccer Chaplains United, the team also took the VBS program and soccer gear to an orphanage in Juárez where several Mexican and immigrant children were living. In spite of a short time, the children at the orphanage quickly warmed to the team and appreciated the special day with the visit which included songs and skits in Spanish and later, the orphanage directors handing out the special jerseys to the children.
Handing out soccer jerseys to the children of Juárez.Boys play soccer on the concrete courtyard between the church and community building sporting brand new Colorado Rapids jerseys.
Remember, when you support Soccer Chaplains United, a portion of your gift automatically goes to help our community projects and requests. You can give specifically to help cover our costs by making a gift through PushPay — simply select Community from the selectable funds. Your financial gift helps us purchase new soccer equipment, sponsor individuals or organizations, and cover associated costs of providing Bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/K09A2118.jpg12801920Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2021-10-28 17:34:392022-02-23 08:33:39Juggling Juárez — Cherry Creek Presbyterian Returns from Week-long Mission
With the global pandemic shutting off much of the world from itself, this year’s singular Community Project fulfillment looks south of the U.S. boarder to Juárez, Mexico and the small team from Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church (CCPC) that looks to make their way in just a couple weeks time.
Led by Parker Dragovich and Pastor Chris Piehl, this year’s trip is thought to be the 27th trip in a nearly 33-year history. For a period of 5 years (2009-2013) the church deemed it unsafe to travel to Juárez with the drug cartel violence in its heyday. And, of course, 2020 saw closed borders due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Throughout the 30+ year history, CCPC has maintained a specific relationship with La Iglesia Maranatha and Pastor Jorge Mata. Pastor Jorge has served the church and the Felipe Ángeles neighborhood and community for those many, many years.
The mission trip sees several church families combine to lead VBS (vacation bible school) for the children in the neighborhood and to work on several construction projects on the church grounds and in the surrounding neighborhood. The church, within sight of the UTEP (University of Texas – El Paso) campus across the boarder, lives in a shadow of poverty, but the neighborhood is slowly being transformed with jobs and homes being built and people being elevated socially and spiritually by the work of Pastor Jorge and the church.
The Cherry Creek Prebyterian Church Team in 2017 poses with Pastor Jorge Mata (right, purple shirt).
In addition to the local work that La Iglesia Maranatha does, Pastor Jorge and the church members have also undertaken several trips into the poorer, and more rural parts of Mexico. Taking donations and other items, the church has traveled long distances to share the Gospel and encouragement with the poorest of the poor in some of the small villages deep within Mexico.
Assembly line for packing donationsJuárez 2021 Packed! 8 boxes – 350 lbs of soccer donationsI show Pastor Jorge (2017) donated gear that the church can give out to the community.
Remember, when you support Soccer Chaplains United, a portion of your gift automatically goes to help our community projects and requests. You can give specifically to help cover our costs by making a gift through PushPay — simply select Community from the selectable funds. Your financial gift helps us purchase new soccer equipment, sponsor individuals or organizations, and cover associated costs of providing Bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!
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.
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/ne2hv5auxfo-scaled.jpg19201277Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2021-03-12 06:00:002021-03-08 16:03:332020 Annual Report Now Available
Earlier this year, we shared about a special gift, made by a young man. He had a pair of boots (cleats) that he had outgrown, but were still in pristine condition (see below). His desire? He wanted to see these shoes gifted to someone else who “loves Jesus like I love Jesus.”
Well, the whole of 2020 has been in search of finding the “right fit.” At first, we thought that these boots might make their way overseas as part of a Missionary Athletes International soccer trip for an overseas tournament. When travel restrictions were put in place and the trip was canceled, the shoes got held up.
For a few months, the shoes sat in my office, apart from the other donations. Knowing that they were intended for a special, yet-to-be named person I didn’t want them to get caught up with another project.
We’ve been in touch with Connor Georgopulous who works with MAI’s Chicago Eagles and several youth teams. Connor actually has the shoes now in hand and he texted me recently the plan:
Conor Georgopulous , Chicago Eagles
When you financially support Soccer Chaplains United a portion of your gift automatically goes to help our community projects and requests. You can give specifically to help cover our costs by making a gift through PushPay — simply select Community from the selectable funds. Your financial gift helps us purchase new soccer equipment, sponsor individuals projects and organizations, and to cover associated costs of providing Bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!
Thomas Fahn, founder and director of Sadaya International and Sadaya Soccer, a few months ago, wrote and requested soccer gear and equipment as they get prepared to travel to Liberia. Their hope is to ship a container mid-November and have the container filled with soccer gear arrive prior to their own return.
A box of gear will be headed to Liberia for Thomas Fahn and Sadaya United.
The Fahn family have been investing heavily in ministry amongst the youth population of Thomas’ native Liberia, one of the poorest countries in the world. Their original request included the following:
20 size 4 balls
30 size 5 soccer balls
50 adult soccer cleats (sizes 7 – 10.5)
32 youth soccer cleats (sizes 5 – 7)
Soccer Chaplains United was able to fulfill the following:
20 (new) size 5 soccer balls
1 size 5 One World Play ball
1 size 4 One Wold Play ball
2 (new) goalkeeper gloves
6 used soccer balls
1 used futsal ball
30+ soccer cones
Unfortunately, we were not able to provide any soccer cleats for Thomas and Sadaya. Most of our remaining sizes are too big to service Sadaya and their needs.
We look forward to seeing the wonderful pictures and a report from Thomas as they get back to Liberia.
When you financially support Soccer Chaplains United a portion of your gift automatically goes to help our community projects and requests. You can give specifically to help cover our costs by making a gift through PushPay — simply select Community Project from the selectable funds. Your financial gift helps us purchase new soccer equipment, sponsor individuals projects and organizations, and to cover associated costs of providing Bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Sadaya-Logo.jpg640638Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2020-11-05 08:00:012020-11-04 14:11:21Leaving for Liberia
We recently received a notification from Amazon that the public charity lists for Soccer Chaplains United had a defect that made impacted the ability for donors to select and make purchases. We apologize if you tried to make a tangible gift donation through one of these lists, the defect has now been corrected.
The SmileAmazon Charity lists are a way for donors to purchase specific items to help Soccer Chaplains United. Whether it is a continuing education book or resource for a chaplain or soccer equipment that we send out on one of our community project fulfillment requests.
You can find the different lists below and see the kinds of items that we need as an organization.
Chaplaincy List — this list includes books and chaplain education resources that we give to our chaplains.
Community List — soccer gear and equipment and items that we send out with our church partners and non-profit groups that request soccer gear.
Organizational List — this list includes some of the administrative and organizational items that we need.
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