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General news and information about Soccer Chaplains United including newly formed partnerships, news on the different teams and communities being served, and upcoming events for donors, partners, and communities.

ColoradoGives Early Giving Begins Today!

For the past few years, Soccer Chaplains United has participated in ColoradoGives Day. ColoradoGives Day is part of the ColoradoGives program sponsored by Community First Foundation. Through ColoradoGives.org donors and philanthropic-minded people can support local, Colorado-based non-profits that meet certain criteria. Those nonprofits are then eligible to receive a portion of an incentive fund that adds to the donation total.

Early giving begins today which means that all donations made through ColoradoGives.org will be counted toward our December 10 efforts. Additionally, the corporate match challenge and other prize-winning

Check out our ColoradoGives Page

This Year’s Goal? $7, 500

Last year, we raised just over $5, 000. This year, we are hoping to see that number increase. Because of the number of chaplain placements we’ve made this year, we’re behind by nearly $15,000 so we’re looking to raise nearly half of that deficit during this next season to begin covering the gap.

Soccer Chaplains United is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization which relies on the generous support of individual donors and church partners to carry out its work of chaplaincy in soccer. 

Thank You For Considering a Gift!

Beside using the ColoradoGives.org site (2% fees) donors can also give a safe, secure, electronic, tax-deductible gift via PushPay by clicking the button below or by texting soccerchaplains to 77977. PushPay charges flat rate fees of 1, 2, and 3% based on ACH, Debit and Credit donation forms respectively. Donors can also mail donations made out to Soccer Chaplains United, PO Box 102081, Denver, CO 80250.

Brown Brings his Story to New Chaplaincy with Nashville Academy

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Malcom Brown‘s journey toward vocational ministry began with a specific word: “chaplaincy.” In a season of discernment, Malcom strongly felt God calling him to this specific form of Christian ministry but wasn’t sure what it might end up looking like. Then, earlier this year, the Vanderbilt University Master of Divinity student was approached by a church member who shared with him about Soccer Chaplains United.

I remember…my surprise! While I have a heart for chaplaincy, I recognize that there is much to continue learning about the varied places that the work is going forth. As Desmond shared more with me about the academy context, the challenges that players and families encounter, I was excited to stand in the gap with them and see what God would accomplish in this space.

Malcom, on the connection a church member made

Desmond Armstrong, a former US Olympian, World Cup Veteran, and National Hall of Fame soccer star had had a number of meetings with Nashville SC chaplain Greg Joiner, as well as with me. As Desmond got to know the organization better and understood our search for a volunteer chaplain to serve the club’s academy, Malcom came to mind.

Malcolm and I immediately connected at a Super Bowl gathering at a church members house. We were the only two rooting for the same team against the rest of the house. After that bonding event, we started to meet up once a week and talk about life and scripture. Malcolm possessed a maturity and grasp of the scriptures that belies his age. Really, his dependence on the Holy Spirit for direction caught my attention and respect. Through conversation, he spoke of his pursuit of the office of chaplain. The timing was such that I immediately recommended him to the team in Nashville.

Desmond, on what he saw and whatt prompted him to recommend Malcom to Soccer Chaplains United

Growing up as young man in Washington state, Malcom Brown, loved tennis. An aspiring athlete with college tennis about to become a realized dream, that dream came crashing down when the college scholarship was pulled. The pain of that moment led to a journey of diving deeper and realizing that he needed to better develop his own personal resources of faith for such unexpected moments of life. After graduating from a number of years in the work force, Malcom began to sense that God’s call on his life was leading him into pursuing chaplaincy.

Part of Malcom’s passion centers on helping young people develop those critical resources of faith for the tests and trials that life has us go through.

I have a ‘vested’ interest, but I want the academy athletes to know that my interest isn’t in any way tied to their athletic performance. My desire is to hold space for them to talk and open up. I pray that I am able to come alongside of them in a way that maybe a coach, a parent, or someone else cannot. I hope that by seeing and experiencing me as a chaplain will help to remind them that God sees, loves, and cares for them.

Malcom, on his approach toward athletes

Malcom is currently a graduate student at Vanderbilt University and serves at Proclamation Church. He is licensed by the International Ministerial Fellowship and is in the process of joining the Army Reserve Chaplain Candidate program. He completed his first unit of CPE at St. Thomas Ascension Hospital.

We are excited to have Malcom join the Soccer Chaplains United team and we look forward to his experience, passion, and expertise in helping care for the athletes, staff, and families represented with Nashville SC Academy.

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 chaplains and our work. Click the link below to make a gift or check out our Donate page for different giving options.

Tiago Ends Time with Soccer Chaplains United

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I met Tiago Souza when Jubal McDaniel introduced him into Soccer Chaplains United in 2022. Jubal had a vision to have Tiago help with our Portuguese speaking needs, and Tiago really stepped up in a massive way. Tiago joined us in May of 2022 and it was later that year that we decided to publish our first devotional book for the World Cup that was happening in November with the World Cup taking place in Qatar.

From left to right: I (Brad) stand with college buddy Tim Rogers, Tiago Souza, and Jubal McDaniel at a Tacoma Defiance match in 2022.

Tiago, single-handedly translated our 80-page devotional, The Light is Coming, from English into Portuguese. Additionally, Tiago has been available to help serve and translate several written and audio prayers and other kinds of messages as our chaplains communicated with Portuguese-speaking athletes, coaches, and staff.

Tiago recently married this summer and his time and current stage of life has him looking at other investments and interests with his personal ministry time.

I am thankful for Tiago’s wisdom and his willingness to learn. He was flexible and gracious with many of the redirections that we experienced during his time with us. I admire his deep love for people ability to ask deep, thoughtful questions and his sense of humor.

– Jubal, on Tiago as part of Soccer Chaplains United

We are thankful for Tiago and wish him well for this next chapter and stage of life!

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 chaplains and our work. Click the link below to make a gift or check out our Donate page for different giving options.

Amy Miller a First for Spokane Zephyr FC

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The Spokane Zephyr FC represents a number of firsts—one of the first members of the new women’s Division 1 professional soccer league. The first professional women’s team in the city of Spokane. And one of the first professional soccer teams to adopt a European style of season scheduling (fall and spring). Amongst the many firsts, Amy Miller, will serve as the first volunteer chaplain to support the Zephyr FC staff and players.

Amy is the Adult Ministries Pastor at Spokane’s Church, Spokane after spending years working at another local church. Originally from Arizona, Amy has come to call Spokane home. Moving to the city in 1986 and finding her husband and a dream job of leading a team of worshippers and creatives in the church, she considers herself blessed to have come to the Pacific Northwest.

In the scope of her work with the church, part of her passion and desire centers on holding space for young people and working to help them with some of their most unique and important challenges.

I contend the greatest human need is ‘to be seen and to be known.’ I believe one of the greatest gifts we can give to people of this day and age is to allow them to be ‘in process’ and come alongside them.

Amy, on her pastoral approach with people

Amy has 4 children, 2 biological and 2 adopted from Ethiopia. Her husband died during 2020 after 34 years of marriage. As a widow, Amy has pursued the continual work of grieving the loss but celebrating a hope-filled future and sharing with others when they are faced with similar pains and losses in life.

Amy came to learn of the opportunity with Zephyr FC after a player approached her after church on Sunday. “I’d like you to be my chaplain,” she shared. That has led Amy on a journey of discovery and finding the work of Soccer Chaplains United and the larger extensions and expressions of soccer ministry that exist across the various professional leagues.

I feel really honored to be invited into the opportunity to serve the team and invited in to be part of a group like Soccer Chaplains United where I can learn and grow in serving the people at this club.

Amy, on her thoughts on joining Soccer Chaplains United and Spokane Zephyr FC

Amy joins Russell Branham who began serving Spokane Velocity earlier this year. Russell and Amy will receive additional coaching and support from Jubal McDaniel who serves additionally as the Pacific Chaplain Manager for Soccer Chaplains United.

I am excited for Amy to join Soccer Chaplains United and begin building a presence of chaplaincy in the USL Super League. Her unique level of experience in ministry and life will prove extremely valuable for the people in her care as well as for us as fellow chaplains. 

Jubal, on Amy joining Zephyr FC and Soccer Chaplains United

Soccer Chaplains United is excited by the opportunity to continue building out service and care for the relationships with Spokane. We are excited to welcome Amy to the team, and we’d ask our supporters to pray for her work with this new USL Super League club that has already begun its season.

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 chaplains and our work. Click the link below to make a gift or check out our Donate page for different giving options.

Branham Becomes a Volunteer Chaplain at Velocity

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This past year of 2024 has seen an exciting explosion of soccer happening in Spokane, WA. A new United Soccer League (USL) organization has brought professional soccer to the city. The Spokane Velocity play in USL-1, a third-division professional team. Additionally, the organization houses a women’s professional team (Spokane Zephyr FC) as part of the new USL Super League which kicked off in mid-August.

Beginning in late 2023, Soccer Chaplains United started to gather candidates for serving as volunteer chaplain for the inaugural 2024 season for the club. After several rounds of conversations and interviews with a number of qualified and interested candidates, Russell Branham stood out from among a strong pool of people. He has patiently worked through a process with both Soccer Chaplains United and Spokane Velocity to serve in this inaugural chaplain capacity.

Russ works full-time as a national sales manager for a medical device company. An elder at his church, Christ the Redeemer, he is also a candidate to complete a Master’s in Biblical Counseling from Westminster Theological Seminary in January of 2025. Part of Russ’ passion and desire center on reaching out to younger people and building trust to be able to speak into their lives and love them by showing hospitality and listening to the things that trouble them most.

I have just seen that young people – from 18-25 – just really have so few people speaking into their lives. What I love about Soccer Chaplains United is that the chaplain is equipped and empowered to come alongside many who wouldn’t otherwise have someone in their lives to ask “how are you?” and not mean it superficially, in a culture that gauges how you are by what you share on social media.

Russ, on his experience and sense about the chaplaincy opportunity with Soccer Chaplains United

Russ grew up in the Hillyard neighborhood of Spokane and went to college at the University of Idaho. He came to faith later in life (at the age of 31) through the love and care of a local pastor who was going around and knocking on neighborhood doors and having conversations with people.

Russ is a big encourager of people and a networker/connector. He loves to see people in places where they can flourish. He and his wife have five children and one of them adopted from foster care. Russ enjoy running and fly fishing as his hobbies. He’s also got a passion for finding great Mexican food.

Spokane is my home and having the Velocity here is not just a community rallying point but, a place for us to come together in the spirit of fun, competition and unity. It’s a place where can find a common ground and a bond around the team and community. The Velocity will allow us to be arm in arm with no agenda other than pride in the team and the city of Spokane!

Russ, on his excitement to see the USL organization come to Spokane

Integral to the process of placing Russell was the new position and role of Jubal McDaniel in serving as the Pacific Chaplain Manager. As part of his role, Jubal has been responsible for cultivating relationships within the Spokane Velocity organization and leadership and working to connect Russell for a successful placement and continual support for the onboarding and coaching that goes into raising up a new chaplain.

For me, Russell represents a new historical mile marker for Soccer Chaplains United as my first placement under my new chaplain manager role. This is on top of placing a chaplain with a brand new club and being able to start this journey together. I have enjoyed getting to know Russell throughout this process and I love his heart as a compassionate connector, encourager and advocate. 

Jubal, on his excitement at seeing this first placement and working with Russell

We are excited to welcome Russ to the team, and we’d ask our supporters to pray for his work amongst the new USL club in Spokane, Washington.

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 chaplains and our work. Click the link below to make a gift or check out our Donate page for different giving options.

Community First Soccer Means Soccer For All

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In late June, Sebastian Navarro with Community First Soccer reached out to Tacoma Defiance Chaplain, Jubal McDaniel. Is there any soccer gear that we might be able to give away to the children participating in our youth camps this summer? Earlier this year, Jubal had gone through the process of closing down his own non-profit, Northwest Football Ministries. In previous years, Jubal and Sebastian had connected to mutually serve local communities in the state of Washington through soccer.

Community First Soccer is a soccer non profit 501(c)3 whose main goal is to make soccer accessible to all starting with the underserved communities who need it the most. They host free soccer camps and college showcases. Their mission and aim is to never charge for a soccer camp. They make their camps free and accessible to as many people as possible — a difficult task in the pay-to-play soccer culture that permeates the North American landscape, currently.

There were multiple camps held — Yakima, Quincy, and Sunnyside — all cities across southeast Washington over a period of two weeks in late July. The camps were free to all of the families and helped provide soccer gear, lunches, haircuts, and new friends! Local professionals, like former Seattle Sounder Roman Torres, were on site to coach, encourage, and engage with the kids.

This Community Project fulfillment also marked another “first” of sorts — gear from Jubal in Tacoma, and not Denver. As Soccer Chaplains United continues to grow, so do the opportunities for expanding our abilities to get used soccer gear to other communities through our Community Project program. All totaled, Jubal delivered about 20 bags of gear for CFS to use over the course of the two weeks.

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!

See the pictures below as the gear was handed out to different children and their families.

Soccer Gear Heading to Africa

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This past week, there has been movement with two different projects and soccer gear fulfillments from our Community Project Program. Read below to learn about each project and the gear we were able to supply.

Liberia — Pappie Jones and Soccer Ambassadors

First, Pappie Jones and Soccer Ambassadors, have patiently been waiting since their request last year (May 2023) as we work to get items shipped to Liberia. With no specific church or mission teams headed to the small, West Africa nation and with a few of our ideas falling through. We finally reached out to Liberian friend, Thomas Fahn, who recommended a shipper in the United States that sends a monthly container. Getting the bags to the shipper is the first step — and Board Chair Cliff Burton had a friend carry two bags filled with gear back to North Carolina. The bags should begin their transatlantic journey in early September. Be sure to check back for an update to this story!

Final fulfillment (100 pounds of gear):

  • Jerseys – 48
  • Shorts – 48
  • Socks – 72
  • GK sets (shirt, socks, shorts) – 4
  • Compression shorts – 31
  • Compression pants – 32
  • Compression tops – 16
  • Various shirts/jackets/tops – 62
Field jerseys and goalkeeper gear headed to Liberia

Ghana — Cherry Creek Pres and Jewels of God Church

Last month, partner church Cherry Creek Presbyterian requested gear to accompany a team that heads out to Ghana in just a few days. With an additional two bags, this team will also take about 100 pounds of gear, albeit it more quickly. With a fresh influx of gear coming from the Colorado Rapids just at the start of the academy season, the Ghana team will have plenty of shorts and uniforms to provide enough to outfit three teams for the children connected to the Jewels of God Church in Accra.

Finally fulfillment includes:

  • Jerseys – 32
  • Shorts – 32
  • Socks – 82
  • GK sets (shirt, socks, shorts) – 7
  • Other tops – 33
  • Warm up tops – 26
  • Women’s jerseys – 23
  • Various jersey and short sets – 5

We look forward to hearing updates and reports back on the gear and soccer equipment delivered for the children in these countries.

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!

4th Global Congress Issues Call for Presentations and Papers

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The 4th Global Congress on Sport and Christianity has recently released information on submitting papers and presentations for consideration for next summer’s conference in Waco, Texas.

Baylor University’s Truett Seminary is the location and the Baylor’s Faith and Sport Institute will play host to the fourth global summit which sees academics and practitioners from around the world gather to present, debate, and dialogue about sport and Christian faith in meaningful and deeper ways.

The first global congress was held in 2016 in York, England. It has a special fondness in my own heart because the re-branded name and expanded vision for Soccer Chaplains United was born out of several conversations that special week. Additionally, my presentation and first published academic article were part of the congress.

The congress is held every three years. 2019 saw it come to the United States and was held at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, MI. At the time, I presented on chaplaincy and also made a separate presentation along with Brooke Ewert on the connection between counseling and chaplaincy.

2022’s rendition was a somewhat smaller gathering as the world crept out of COVID restrictions and returned to the UK where it was hosted at Ridley Hall in Cambridge, England. Again, I presented on issues of chaplaincy and sustainability.

I look forward to the 2025 rendition and I am hopeful to see other Soccer Chaplains United chaplains hopefully in attendance. The congress offers a good place to learn, to grow, to be challenged in the way we think about ministry in sport (in general) and ministry to the people of soccer (specifically).

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 chaplains and our work. Check out our Donate page for different giving options.

Geraud Brumfield is “en Fuego”

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Geraud Brumfield recently has started serving as volunteer chaplain to Central Valley Fuego FC, a team that plays in the United Soccer League 1, otherwise known as USL1. Fuego FC has a bit of a “rise from the ashes” kind of story after the USL Championship side folded in 2019. The team was founded in 2020, after the pandemic and the work to get a new club up and running saw the team bring back professional soccer to the valley in 2022.

Brumfield, serves many young people in his work for a campus ministry outreach. For Geraud much of his life and mission nd passion is about coming alongside of young people who are asking those “larger than life” questions about God, faith, pain, and this world. While soccer isn’t his first language, loving and listening to young people is.

Part of my call in life is to walk with college-age students and to help in the asking and wrestling with those questions that loom…it comes from a part of my testimony. When I was in college, I was asking those same questions. I had a friend who pursued and persisted and he walked with me as I figured out Jesus. I had been living my life trying to make my dad proud of me. The problem was, my dad passed when I was 10 years old. I came to understand God telling me: ‘You are living for someone who is dead. I want you to live for Someone who died for you.’

Geraud Brumfield, on the origins of his call to ministry and his awakening to faith

Fuego’s USL1 level is a near perfect match for Brumfield in terms of player age. As a third division, professional soccer team, many of Fuego’s athletes are younger and aspiring to grow to higher levels in the game. The average age sees the majority of players in their mid-20’s and coming from the recently graduated college ranks.

Geraud with some of the fellas, hanging out at a Fuego game while going through the process with Soccer Chaplains United.

Geraud’s placement story is a beautiful blend between my connections with different people in the game and the work of Pacific Chaplain Manager, Jubal McDaniel. My relationships with Jermaine Jones, the Head Coach, and Adam Smith, the Technical Director, were a tremendous part of seeing Geraud’s placement come about. Jubal has done the work to coach Geraud in the different points of entry that a chaplain must take in building trust and beginning to work with a team.

It has been a tremendous joy to see how warmly Geraud been received by the club…his humor, personality, and deep love for people has shown to be a perfect match.

Jubal McDaniel, on Geraud’s placement

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 chaplains and our work. Check out our Donate page for different giving options.

Gavin Brings His Brand To Ballard

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Gavin Brand has become Ballard FC’s first volunteer club chaplain. One of the United Soccer League 2’s (USL 2) premier clubs from the Pacific Northwest, Ballard FC has a storied, albeit, short history. Beginning play in 2022, the club won the league championship in 2023 and continues its winning ways with an opening playoff match this Friday, July 19th.

Brand, a pastor in Ballard, is new to soccer chaplaincy, but not new to the work of being a chaplain. He served as an Army Reserve Chaplain for eight years. During his time in the reserves, Brand cared for service members from all walks of life and several different units, some of which saw a strong number of international service members. A passionate runner, Gavin also understands the demands placed upon elite and rising athletes and his heart is to shepherd and guide the young athletes and staff that make up Ballard FC, much like his military chaplaincy days.

One of my favorite aspects of chaplaincy, is the opportunity to walk alongside of people and to counsel and help carry the various life burdens that they carry.

Gavin Brand, on the work of chaplaincy

As a USL2 Team, Ballard FC primarily plays from early May until mid- to early August, depending on playoff results. The team is comprised of male, collegiate athletes who are seeking to retain their college eligibility but also continue to receive pre-professional player development and opportunities to be scouted and seen by USL, Major League Soccer, and other clubs for future opportunities. During the offseason, Ballard FC continues its work in and throughout the community and with building out a roster for the next season.

Brand (nos. 1206, 334, and 149 clockwise) ran cross country for Seattle Pacific University in his collegiate days

Much of the work and effort of connecting and placing Gavin is part of the new position and role of Jubal McDaniel who serves as the Pacific Chaplain Manager. Jubal’s relationships and connections with Ballard FC have helped to connect Gavin and help him to begin a hopefully long legacy of serving this fledgling club with an already impactful history.

In our conversations with the club, it became clear that we didn’t need the top soccer enthusiast. We needed a ‘fire-pit’ guy — someone easy enough to have that comfortable conversation about life around the fire pit…and we found that fire pit guy in Gavin.

Jubal McDaniel, on the personality of Gavin and his placement
Gavin Brand and his family in a recent photo

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 chaplains and our work. Check out our Donate page for different giving options.

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