Last week, a couple of teenagers from Lutheran High School and Valor Christian High School showed up to help Soccer Chaplains United pack out more items for our current (and only project, thus far) for 2020 — the Musana Community Development.
Donated items are sorted, counted, packed, and then weighed
With the goal to fill 10 bins each, the four students, each seeking to find some volunteer hours prior to school starting this fall, were able to get items sorted and counted and bins filled in record time. Maybe it was the cooler day in Colorado, or maybe it was jamming out to the tunes, but each one worked quickly to get things sorted, counted, and packed.
These four teens filled 10 bins in record time — two hours!
You can learn more about the Musana Project by reading the original request for gear and how, with the cancellation of another trip, there will be more going to Uganda this year once the country re-opens.
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 to cover associated costs of providing Bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IMG_1653-scaled.jpg14401920Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2020-07-09 06:00:002020-07-27 21:27:32Teens Rock the Packing Party
We still have a fulfillment waiting for new project requestor, Musana; however, the delay with lockdown measures has meant that the containers are behind in being finished and with the country of Uganda shut down as well, there haven’t been approvals for the shipping manifesto and the soccer items that we’ve currently got waiting for them. The hope is that the containers might be completed and shipped by late summer.
In the meantime, many church partners have cancelled their international travel and missions trips. I am hoping that there will be some late year requests that will enable us to support our global and local mission work with some soccer gear, but still much remains to be seen.
I am pleased to announce that Soccer Chaplains United will be part of the Denver Prays time happening this upcoming weekend. The Denver Prays movement is a 3-Day Christian virtual prayer meeting stretching from Friday, April 24, 12:01 AM to Sunday, April 26 Midnight. The aim is to pray for the city of Denver during the COVID-19 pandemic and just as the city gets set to loosen its social distancing and shelter-in-place restrictions. You can go to denverprays.com to learn more or to sign up.
Rubèn will lead a prayer hour at 1:00 pm (Mountain) this Sunday.
Pastor Rubèn Rodríguez will be leading a Zoom prayer time on Sunday, April 26 at 1:00 pm Mountain. His prayer topic is specifically for Denver Youth, a fitting subject given his many years as a youth pastor and currently as the Colorado Rapids Development Academy chaplain.
I will be leading a Zoom prayer time on Sunday, April 26 at 2:00 pmMountain in consideration of a typical sports event kickoff time. If you are someone in sport who has been effected by the current global pandemic.
I will be leading a prayer hour at 2:00 pm (Mountain) on Sunday.
I will be leading this prayer hour for those in the sport industry (from youth to professional) that have been effected by the Coronavirus pandemic. Many have certainly considered that there are no sports going on, but we may not have thought of the different people and their lives impacted economically through this time.
Perhaps the first image that comes to mind is the multi-million dollar athlete or owner — they should be fine financially, right? But we forget about the part-time stadium guard who is retired and needs the extra income to make ends meet. We forget about the local businesses near the stadiums that depend on heavy traffic flows to help their monthly revenues. We forget about the front-office and ticket sales staff who are facing furlough, lay-offs, and firings because they don’t have events that they are selling, promoting, or working. We forget about the Olympic athlete and the collegiate athletes — whose scholarships, livelihood, and other parts of their lives have been impacted.
In addition, the realities of the income of sport also include those that play at lower levels. The median salary of an athlete in Major League Soccer is $179,000 and much of the league’s athletes make less than $100k. If you go into the second division of soccer (USL-Championship) and lower you will find players making as little as $500-$1000/ month for an 8-month contract. And their subsidized income from soccer camps and clinics aren’t happening right now because of social distancing regulations.
Please consider joining in to pray with us during this time. We encourage you to join (go to denverprays.com) to sign up for either hour, or to look at some of the other hours and subjects for prayer.
Soccer Chaplains United is non-profit, 501(c)3 developing chaplaincy, counseling, and community service across all levels of soccer.
Dear friends, I wanted to write and personally make an appeal to you. I know that we are facing much uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic and I am thankful for the majority of our donors who have remained faithful in their giving; however, we have seen some decline from last year and we know that this year will be challenging in terms of fundraising and generosity.
Yesterday, I wrote about the ongoing chaplaincy work for Soccer Chaplains United and the truth is we are busier in ministry as we seek to serve those we’ve been called to — from the college athlete who may not have a soccer program next year to the part-time stadium and concessions personnel who have had to go in search of other work to subsidize their income to the staff of the soccer teams and organizations that have been laid-off or furloughed.
Added to this is the challenge that we’ve not been able to go out and meet new donors or share our vision personally with partners who might help us continue to serve and grow our ministry work.
Will you consider an extra gift or extra expression of generosity?
— Rev Brad
I’d like to ask you, if you’ve received a stimulus check from the government — and if your needs were already being met, will you consider an extra gift or extra expression of generosity? Of course, please consider giving to your local church first, but if you feel so led, will you consider giving to help Soccer Chaplains United? Your gift will help sustain our ministry and work through this time and the time to come as we serve many in the sport of soccer who are facing devastating times and as we look to continue to develop chaplaincy and counseling resources for so many for whom soccer is their vocation and livelihood.
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.
Thank you for your consideration and your generosity during this time.
The global pandemic of Coronavirus has meant quite a few changes in the United States and around the world. Valor Christian High School, originally slated to fly down to Tamarindo, Costa Rica during spring break and the school’s practicum week (March 14 – March 23) ended up canceling the trip along with their other Discovery Team trips.
Although it is difficult not to be in Costa Rica this week, I was filled with joy that our houses were still built and were able to change the lives of two families forever. I am grateful for the hard work team Costa Rica put into the fundraising for the houses and also to our trusted partner that carried out the work in our absence.
On behalf of all the leaders, I would like to thank all families and friends who helped support our team’s mission. I hope the pictures below bring you Joy. And let’s all remember, this was God’s journey for us and we give Him all the Glory!
Mike Wright, Assistant Coach Valor Christian Soccer and Costa Rica Team Leader
While the trip was cancelled, the building materials and supplies had already been ordered and paid for. Local project leader Maximo Cisneros organized local “Ticos” to take on the work of building two new homes for the previously designated poor and needy families in the community.
Maximo (2nd from right) and crew pose in front of one of the completed houses.
Obviously, it was a big disappointment not to get to see our friends and partners and those we’ve worked with in the past, but it was a blessing to see the pictures of the homes completed and the local community folks reaching out and helping.
I hope that the opportunity that we were looking forward to — taking our student athletes into this environment and serving — will be something that we can resume in the near future.
Brian Shultz, Head Coach Valor Christian Soccer and Costa Rica Team Leader
The Soccer Chaplains United gear that had been distributed to the Valor team will be returned and sent out with another Community Project, per project guidelines. We hope to support Valor in a future endeavor once the issues from Coronavirus begin to subside.
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 to cover associated costs of providing Bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/CD50B874-61D2-4BB8-B7A2-7E10BCD1D2C3.jpg360640Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2020-03-26 04:00:002020-07-27 21:29:06Coronavirus Cancels Costa Rica
This past Saturday, was a fun first for Soccer Chaplains United as we held a packing and sorting party for a couple of our upcoming Community Projects.
There were six or seven volunteers (besides my own family) who gave a portion of their time to help sort, count, and pack. The first project was for a large request from Musana which is shipping containers to the country for school rooms. This is our first time working with Musana and their project going to Uganda. It was unique as we packed items into specially purchased bins which will be delivered in a few weeks as they finish their build out.
A bit of an assembly line was formed to count and then pack the gear into containers.
The chaos and fun of the day was added to with a large donation of gear from the Colorado Rapids just the day before our sorting and packing party. I was able to fill our minivan to capacity with many of the boxes that held much of the gear.
I pause for a picture outside Dick’s Sporting Goods Park with a donation of soccer gear from the Colorado Rapids which filled the van to capacity.
The volunteers also began sorting and counting for a second project — this one for Valor Christian’s Costa Rica mission. Valor’s soccer coach and team leader, Brian Shultz even stopped by to give a few minutes toward helping with sorting and counting.
With space heaters a’blazin’ we worked in the garage for our sortNot the best conditions, but not the worst conditions; we got a lot done!Stacks of boxes and bins felt overwhelming at times, but God is good!
Remember, that 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 or 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/2020/03/IMG_9247-scaled.jpg14401920Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2020-03-05 05:00:002020-03-02 15:53:12Packing Party
Valor Christian High School Soccer is returning to Tamarindo, Costa Rica in what has become an annual tradition. This year’s trip will feature sixteen boys from the soccer program. The team will fly down to Costa Rica during the upcoming spring break and business week — March 14 – March 23. The team will look to build two homes for needy families during the day. At night, the team will minister to the soccer community through building relationships, competing in games, and sharing the gospel with athletes from the local area. It is during this time that the team will also look to give gear away to players who need new cleats, goalie gloves, and jerseys.
We look forward to changing lives through the global game of soccer and building a couple houses in the Guanacaste region for poor families. We feel blessed to serve!
Mike Wright, Valor 2020 Costa Rica Team Leader
Valor has been to Costa Rica several times and has been the recipient of our Community Project before including in 2018 and 2017. You can see other projects we have fulfilled and partnered with for Costa Rica in the past – go here and click on the Costa Rica flag!
Rev Brad Kenney went with Valor in March 2018 and led the infamous paint crew
Tamarindo has gone from being a small fishing village 20+ years ago, to now, being more of a small, sleepy surfing and tourist town. Behind the tourism, a lot of poverty exists among the local people. Valor Christian High School Soccer is partnering with Mercy Home Ministries and builder Maximo Cisneros to build “Mercy” homes for needy local families that he has identified. Additionally, they will be reaching out through soccer camps and clinics where they will distribute soccer gear to the many children who do not have shoes, cleats, shin guards, or even soccer balls.
Project Request
20 new soccer balls – size 5
Adult medium sized jerseys/shirts/training tops
Goalie gloves – any quantity new or used
Cleats – any quantity, new or used, up to size 11
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 to cover associated costs of providing Bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/costa-rica.png800800Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2020-02-20 05:00:002020-02-18 15:06:15Valor Request for Costa Rica
Last year, Compassion International, a ministry based in Colorado Springs, CO took a group of athletes from the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) to El Salvador on a vision trip. The intention was to allow several athletes to interact with and see the work that Compassion is doing in the country. Matt Pirmann and Ken McKinney, leader of the trip, reached out to Soccer Chaplains United to see if there might be any gear or equipment to take down as part of the trip. Soccer Chaplains United was able to get 150 shirts and 10 soccer balls into their hands with short notice.
Compassion Team Members and NWSL athletes show the children some games and drills with a ball donated from Soccer Chaplains United.
Compassion is a long-serving organization whose mission and vision is to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name. Compassion’s three-cord approach is to be: Christ Centered, Church Based and Child Focused. With that in mind, Compassion’s development work with children around the world aims to be holistic in its approach. Compassion’s three-cord approach is to be: Christ Centered, Church Based and Child Focused. With that in mind, Compassion’s development work with children around the world aims to be holistic in its approach.
Nicole Barnhart, pictured in the photo at the top of the page, was one of the NWSL athletes and Compassion team members. She shared this about her experience,
The trip to El Salvador was the opportunity of a lifetime. I went there thinking that I was going to inspire these children, help spark belief and give them hope that they have the strength to fulfill their Go-given potential, but in the end they stole a piece of my heart and inspired me beyond anything imaginable.
Nicole Barnhart, Goalkeeper Utah Royals FC
Lori Krueger, looks on while a Compassion child shares
One of the members of the team was NWSL Chaplain Coordinator, Lori Krueger. For Lori, the trip was a blessing — as she had been praying about hosting a retreat for players at the end of the season. But then, the opportunity from Compassion to take athletes on this vision trip came along.
The trip to El Salvador with the athletes from the NWSL was such a special experience. It was pretty incredible to see the difference that Compassion is making to support these kids who are living in extreme poverty. I saw talent kids, living with hope and dreams because of the ministry.
Lori Krueger, NWSL Chaplain Coordinator
The athletes had opportunity to watch the Compassion work in person and to play some games with the children that are part of Compassions outreach through the various centers that they have throughout the country.
A young girl heads a ball donated through Soccer Chaplains United.Team members were exposed to the impoverished conditions many El Salvadorans live in.
It was hard to see extreme poverty first hand, but at the same time it was so amazing to see how these people who have so little really have so much. They are so joyful and liven and gracious and their passion to live a life in Christ is unbelievable.
Nicole Barnhart
Compassion’s request was the 10th project for 2019 and the first time we have supported a project for El Salvador. One of the outcomes is a new initiative from Compassion to raise awareness and support for ongoing work in El Salvador. You can learn more through this link and opportunity. Additionally, Compassion is exploring other opportunities in other countries for athletes to “give back” to they native lands and people by coming alongside in similar initiatives.
Smiling faces were found to be in high order for many of the girls that the team spent time with.
A piece of my heart will always remain in El Salvador and I will never forget the amazing people I met and how they have motivated me to be better. Jesus showed me a beautiful example of what it means to have a thankful heart no matter our circumstances. He provides for us all and meets us where we are.
Nicole Barnhart
Remember, when you support Soccer Chaplains United a portion of your gift automatically goes to help projects and requests like this one for Compassion International. 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 to cover associated costs of providing Bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CW2302185-Compassion-El-Salvador-NWSL-Vision-Trip-ES0835-303-scaled.jpg12801920Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2020-02-13 05:00:002020-02-11 10:51:35Compassion in El Salvador
Saturday, February 29, Soccer Chaplains United has a special volunteer opportunity. Come and sort out soccer gear and equipment for the upcoming Musana Community Development Project!
These kids are waiting for some new soccer gear!
Details
Saturday, February 29, 2020 from 1:00 pm — 3:00 pm Mountain
Late last year, Soccer Chaplains United received a “random” email:
Hi !! I would like to have a address where I can donate my new cleats. I want them to go to someone who love soccer but special love Jesus like I do. Please send me the address where I can mail Them.
I say “random” because although we have invited donations of soccer equipment from individuals, 99.9% comes through bigger organizations like soccer teams and clubs. It is the rare occasion that we receive a donation like this.
Probing further for a story or for information on this act of generosity, we received the next message,
I’m 16 years old and I play soccer I’m from USA but God open a door for me to play in Barcelona. I’m here in Florida for the holiday but in January I will be back to Barcelona to continue my dream to become a professional soccer player (keep me in your prayers) I have this cleats for 2 months but I will get new ones and I want this cleats to go to special boy who has a dream just like me.
Justan Dunstan, donor of the special shoes. Follow him here.
Fast forward a couple of weeks, after receiving the cleats, I was having a coffee conversation with Valor Christian and John Brown alum, Conor Georgopulous. Conor works with Missionary Athletes International in Chicago and is getting ready to lead a team on an international trip. The more we talked, the more it seemed that maybe the “special” person that these special shoes may be part of Conor’s team.
Conor Georgopulous , Chicago Eagles
Stay tuned to this story throughout 2020 as we discover where and for whom God intends this special pair of shoes.
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!
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