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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.

Google Podcasts Have Moved! Check out YouTube

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Youtube application screengrab

We’ve successfully moved the From the Touchline podcast to our YouTube channel. Last year, it was announced that Google Podcasts and Google Podcast Manager would be going away — with a remaining option to move podcasts to the YouTube platform.

Well, we’ve completed the process and now, all episodes of the podcast (269) as today can be found on our YouTube channel, click here to access and to subscribe.

black laptop computer turned on with red light

In the ever changing landscape of the web, we try to stay up to date as much as possible and as cost-effective as possible, in delivering news and content related into soccer, chaplaincy, and our work in this space.

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 service across all levels of soccer. Please consider making a contribution today to help us continue growing our work. Simply click the PushPay (the big P) link below to make a secure, online, tax-deductible gift, or mail a donation to Soccer Chaplains United, PO Box 102081, Denver, CO 80250.

Jordan Medas to Lead Up East Coast

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Today, I am really pleased to announce that volunteer chaplain, Jordan Medas, has offered to step into a role serving Soccer Chaplains United as the East Coast Chaplaincy Manager. With the appointment, Jordan becomes the second chaplain manager and pairs with Jubal McDaniel who serves on the west coast.

The chaplain growth of 2023 (8 chaplains and 40% growth) has led to an increase in the importance of supporting existing chaplains all while continuing to discover and develop new chaplains. While still fairly new role, the chaplain managers (both Jordan and Jubal) are tasked with 1) supporting chaplains within their particular timezones and 2) working to discover and develop out new chaplains for new chaplain opportunities that arise.

Despite being a Liverpool supporter, I’ve had to be ok with Jordan becoming a chaplain manager

Jordan joined Soccer Chaplains United in June of 2021 and served regionally in Orange, VA. In 2023, he transitioned to serving a youth club which has since become a Fellowship of Christian Athletes sponsored club. Jordan’s role as chaplain as shifted and he has been freed up to work more with Soccer Chaplains United administratively and helping with chaplain support.

As Soccer Chaplains United continues to grow (about to break 30 chaplains) we are aiming to retain a high-level and standard which is guided by our common code of conduct and fairly strict, professional standards. Adding Jordan to help us manage the growth is a key part of seeing what God is doing through Soccer Chaplains United

Soccer Chaplains United is non-profit, 501(c)3 and depends upon the financial support of our partners to carry out our work of developing chaplaincy service across all levels of soccer. Please consider making a contribution today to help us continue growing our work. Simply click the PushPay (the big P) link below to make a secure, online, tax-deductible gift, or mail a donation to Soccer Chaplains United, PO Box 102081, Denver, CO 80250.

Navitsky Moves on from Soccer Chaplains United

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Greg Navitsky, served as chaplain for Valor Christian High School Boy Soccer from 2020-2022 and as a consultant for Soccer Chaplains United for the past couple of years, has shared that he is stepping down to more fully pursue different interests and ministry calling — including his growing family and continuing work with the church and local ministry group, Where Grace Abounds.

Greg has already begun writing a proposal for a doctors thesis and is keen to explore whether God might be calling him more into a PhD program or a professorship, with teaching being a key passion and burden for his heart.

Just a few months ago, Greg and his wife (Bekka) welcomed a new, baby boy (Isaiah) into their lives — so needless to say there are a few new things going on in the Navitsky home.

Soccer Chaplains United has been extremely blessed to have Greg as part of the team the past few years and to share his faith, his talents, and his wisdom in several different capacities. We pray that Greg and Bekka and Isaiah, will experience God’s grace and favor for the future calling and opportunities that they invest and involve in.

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.

Community Project Bag Lands in Benin (An Update)

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In our first Community Project request for 2024, the football gear has landed! Or, at least part of it in Benin and is now in the hands of local leader Dorothé and the children that he is teaching soccer to and also sharing about the love of Jesus.

Last month, Lucia Eberle, made a request for soccer gear through her EPC church in Texas. It was a quick turnaround because there was an opportunity to meet her church pastor in Phoenix and get the gear back to Texas with no shipping charges (🙌Southwest – two bags fly free). What was really exciting for me as I “pulled” the project, was the way that some of the quantities and sizes seemed to “just happen.” Of course, I have been doing this long enough to know that it’s part of how God works.

One neat part to the project, Lucia made a glancing reference that Dorothé was hopeful to start a women’s team — I just had enough to outfit a team.

The original request:

  • approx. 35-50 sets of soccer shirts and shorts
  • 2 sets of goalkeeper gear

What we were able to provide:

31Gold Men’s Jerseys (2-m, 1-l, 23-resized, 5-xl)
13Gold Women’s Jerseys (modesty fabric sewn and deeper V-neck style)
42Shorts {red at bottom} (1-s, 17-m, 19-l, 4-xl, 1-xxl)
14Shorts [other] (1-s, 6-m, 5-l, 2-xl)
36Soccer socks
Bag 1 @ 50 lbs.
40compression shorts (12-s, 8-m, 20-l)
54compression shirts  (16-m, 26-l, 12-xl)
9Short sleeve staff shirts (5-m, 4-l)
38gray training tops (23-m, 8-l, 7-xl)
1GK glove [new]
2GK shirt/short/sock sets (large – 1 shirt, 2 shorts; medium – 1 shirt, 2 shorts)
Bag 2 @ 50 lbs.

Lucia was blown away by the amount of gear and for her most recent trip (see pictures below) she was only able to take one bag to begin and so mixed some of the items from bag one and two in Texas to take with her.

I didn’t realize how much there would be and that I would be able to get it so soon!

Lucia, when she received the gear

Lucia wrote me recently and sent the pictures (above) from her first trip and delivery. Here is from her email below:

Good afternoon just came back to see the soccer teams from Dorothé 

He started 30 years ago and it’s all free 

Now he has also added teen girls and little ones

What a true joy to see how God is using his love for soccer and young people to bring so much hope to the youth of Benin 

Thank you for the hope and the way to encourage these young people 

He accepts all youth, Muslim or Christian, and shares the gospel 

The kids and Dorothé were so encouraged 

Thank you 

Dorothé wanted to wait to open the bag with the kids so I brought it this afternoon and he saw inside what there was.

The boys of Benin express their love for Coach Dorothé who has done so much in giving away his life and energy into making soccer accessible and fun for them; Dorothé treats them as his own children.

Friends, we know how meaningful these things are for Dorothé and the children that he is reaching out to with love and care. Thank you for your continued support to provide gear and finances for our projects to keep going out around the world!

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!

Rollins Getting Rolling, Set to Serve Switchbacks FC As Chaplain

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When Jason Rollins heard that Kurt Trempert was stepping down from serving as the volunteer chaplain to the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, he politely asked, “Who is filling your spot?” But, to be honest, he didn’t give it much more thought — he wasn’t ordained, isn’t a pastor, and has never been a “chaplain” before.

But as the search continued for a volunteer chaplain to serve the team, there were a number of barriers present for several of the other candidates, namely the issue of being able to commit to the time involved in serving as a team chaplain. As several candidates dropped off due to busyness, we re-opened the search and after consulting former chaplain, Kurt Trempert, Jason is one of the people that we encouraged to consider applying.

I love working with athletes and building relationships through the vehicle of sports. The position of chaplain for Switchbacks FC began to grow on me because of the combination of soccer and that opportunity for building relationships…

Jason, on his growing interest in the role of chaplain

Despite Jason not having served as a chaplain before, his work and service for some 20 years in education and his current role as Athletic Director for Colorado Springs Christian Schools came across to the interview team as a tremendous preparation point for serving as volunteer chaplain. In addition, Jason’s willingness to pursue a licensing and commission pathway with the Christian Missionary Alliance (CMA) and potential explore an institutional chaplaincy training program helped open the door of possibility for serving in this capacity.

Jason was also previously known to myself (Brad) and others at Soccer Chaplains United as he has led several mission teams to Quito, Ecuador. Born and raised in Quito with missionary parents, Jason has returned several times ,taking soccer gear through our Community Project programs in 2017, 2019, and 2022. Jason also has participated in the Soccer Chaplains United 2021 MLS Cup Watch Party and is a good friend of former chaplain Kurt Trempert.

Jason recently completed a Mental Performance Mastery Coach Certification. It’s part of his passion and gifting to help individuals in sport to achieve the best out of themselves. This, in addition, to several coaching certificates in soccer and certification as an Athletic Director, have positioned him to serve young people in sport for a long time.

My wife knows I love working with athletes, while mental performance coaching is different from chaplaincy, I imagine there is some overlap with helping athletes find and discover resources from within themselves, their faith history and backgrounds (if they have one), and from family and community to help them play, perform, and be well-rounded people.

Jason, on possible applications and translations of his mental performance coaching into chaplaincy

Jason has a professional proficiency in speaking Spanish that will help to serve his time with the athletes. In addition, as Jason serves as a volunteer chaplain there remains more opportunity to build the chaplain team serving the Switchbacks organization for the future.

We are excited to see the chaplaincy transition to Jason prior to the season start. We want to ask our supporters to pray for his work with the Switchbacks organization.

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.

Pflederer Begins Serving as Rapids Academy Chaplain

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For Ben Pflederer, soccer has always been a part of life. From playing at a strong youth club in his childhood, to joining the Vanderbilt University Men’s Club Soccer team during his college days, to today and continuing to play pick-up in and around Denver, soccer has been a joy and a passion.

For Ben, another passion has been ministry and understanding the call of God on his life leading him into exploring full-time ministry. Beginning with serving as a YoungLife group leader in Nashville, to serving with Ubuntu Sports Outreach in Cape Town, South Africa in the summer of 2010, and (now) as Youth Ministry Coordinator of Denver Presbyterian Church, Ben is continuing to explore all that God has in store for him.

Part of that journey has him currently completing a Master’s of Divinity at Denver Seminary.

Recently, Ben came to our attention when, after a Soccer Chaplains United Board Meeting, Vice-Chair Jeremy Tittle started sharing about a youth pastor at his church that might be a fit for the Rapids Academy vacancy.

I don’t know why I didn’t think of this earlier…but there’s a guy that plays pick-up soccer and he’s involved in the youth ministry at the church. He’s recently been promoted at the church and he’s in seminary…

Jeremy Tittle, with a dawning realization about Ben

Of course, I had to give Jeremy a hard time. “Why have you been holding out on us? You know we’ve been looking for an academy chaplain for over a year now!” I laughed.

Since that late October meeting and Jeremy’s realization that Ben might be a fit to serve with Soccer Chaplains United, we’ve undergone a process with Ben. A number of interviews, application and screening process, and now beginning an onboarding process while he balances school and work.

This position is a perfect combination of my greatest passions and experience: ministry, youth, mentoring, counseling, and soccer. I have recently learned more about Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy in seminary and it has deeply sparked my interest in this particular form of ministry, especially outside of the formal church setting.

Ben Pflederer, on his interest in exploring and serving as academy chaplain

The Rapids academy is currently some 80+ players strong, spread over three age-group teams (U-14, U-15, and U-17). Of the 80 or so players, 40 of them are enrolled in the online schooling program hosted by the Rapids which allows the athletes to be on-site at the stadium to get in more training sessions as many of them strive to win a 1st team contract someday. 25 of those athletes are part of the “Homestay Program” which means their families live out of state and they are living with local families here in Colorado while they train, study, and play for the Rapids.

Ben’s work and role with begin with offering a weekly presence and our initial thoughts are to offer a weekly group study or time with looking at the Bible and other character and life-building types of issues made optional for athletes in the academy program. Additionally, Ben will serve as an extra layer of resource and support for the athletes and their families as they undergo the pressures of working to achieve the professional soccer dream.

While playing in an academy environment can mean a greater chance of successfully becoming a professional soccer player, it is estimated that currently less than 2% of NCAA athletes make it into the professional levels of their sport. Historically, the Colorado Rapids have signed 1 or 2 academy products to a next level contract (Rapids 2 or the official 1st Team), but it is still a difficult journey for many and few will see the reward of playing pro soccer at the end.

There are very few chaplains that are specific to MLS academies. Soccer Chaplains United was the first to place an academy chaplain with Rubèn Rodríguez in 2018. Currently, there are three academy specific chaplains with Ben’s placement. The other is Soccer Chaplains United’s Michael Kell with LAFC appointed in late 2022 and another sports ministry person in Saint Louis serving the MLS academy there. Ben now becomes the second chaplain in Colorado Rapids academy history.

More than anything these kids need care and need to know God’s care and desire to work in their lives. It is such a challenging and formative time for them and any bit I can do to help and guide them spiritually, emotionally, developmentally is such valuable and rewarding work. I can envision doing this position for many years and the joy of developing those relationships and the fruits God can bring.

Ben, on his future vision of the role

We are excited to welcome Ben to the team, and we’d ask our supporters to pray for his work amongst the Rapids academy athletes.

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.

Longtime Niger Missionaries in Longview Request Gear for Benin

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Lucia Eberle is half French and half Greek. She met her husband in Niger, West Africa where they served with SIM for over 25 years. Lucia and her husband (Scott) now reside in Longview, Texas and are part of Longview EPC church. Scott Eberle teaches mathematics at LeTourneau University and Lucia has been traveling back to West Africa as she continues to minister with the Dorcas Widows project in Niger, Benin and Burkina Faso.

Last year, in February, Lucia visited Parakou, Benin and met a béninois, Dorothé, working in the treasury at SIM. Dorothé (pictured below) coaches’ teams of soccer with the aim to share the gospel amongst the young men that are passionate about the sport. He shared with Lucia this ministry and how he wants to develop it more when he retires and the needs associated for his team.

Lucia recently asked Rev Jason Hubbard if he knew of any soccer ministries where they could get gear to take back to Benin and help with this soccer outreach. Immediately, Jason thought of me (Brad Kenney) and Soccer Chaplains United. While the connection and communication has flown fast and furious the last few days, there is an amazing, God-sized window open to help get soccer gear to Beninois coach as Lucia and her mother are traveling back to Benin in a couple of weeks.

As Lucia goes back to minister to widows, she is excited to be able to bring gear to this Beninois coach with a great passion to serve Christ through soccer. He recently started a soccer team with younger boys and his dream is also to start a women’s team. His hope is to minister to the needs of the youth in Parakou through sports and the Gospel.

My upcoming trip to Presbytery of the West meetings in Phoenix will see us able to hand off the gear to Rev Doug Ashley to take back with him to Longview. Lucia has, specifically, requested the following:

  • approx. 35-50 sets of soccer shirts and shorts
  • 2 sets of goalkeeper gear

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!

Phelps Elects to Not Renew Soccer Chaplains United Board of Directors

Kalyn Phelps joined the Soccer Chaplains United Board of Directors earlier this year in a one-year term, but has decided to not renew for another term moving forward. Part of her decision to not renew, stems from a sense that her plate has been too full — as mom of three, working for a local non-profit, and with a new season of discernment which lies ahead.

Kalyn played a pivotal role in leading the art for the Five Women You Meet in Faith and Football, our devotional offering created for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. She created several pieces and helped lead the art team and guide the vision for the devotionals artwork. The passion for art and several emerging opportunities have Kalyn considering whether there is a small business/art studio type of work in the future or perhaps returning into art education. Each of which is demanding considerable time and energy to take on.

One of my favorite pieces from this years devotional.

For Kalyn, it did take some time to full grasp the vision for Soccer Chaplains United, but after sitting in and helping to interview a few of our chaplain candidates this past year, she said that her eyes were opened to the extensive work that a chaplain does with and for the people in soccer.

The work of chaplaincy cannot be summarized by just a piece of paper or writing on a website — because of the highly relational nature, it’s best when experienced first hand.

Kalyn, on the nature of chaplaincy

Kalyn has offered to stay connected into the work of Soccer Chaplains United and is interested in some further collaborations where her passion for art and soccer might combine.

We are grateful for Kalyn and her time of service and we wish her well as she pursues God’s next endeavor!

If you would like to learn more about Soccer Chaplains United and opportunities to serve on our Board of Directors, please send an email to info@soccerchaplainsunited.org.

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.

Pirmann Leaving to Start up Spoudazo Soccer Camps

In July of 2022, Wayne Pirmann joined Soccer Chaplains United’s ministry team as a Development Officer to help assist with fundraising and growing the public awareness of our organization. In more recent times, though, God has placed a massive burden on his heart for utilizing the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup as a conduit for evangelistic soccer camps.

Spoudazo Soccer Camps will be hosted throughout the US, in various cities and towns, through a new LLC. Spoudazo (Greek for “be diligent”) Soccer Camps will be for children age 13-18 and have high level coaching and training about soccer and about Jesus. The camps will feature for the next couple of years as an engagement point for the church and local communities ahead of the largest global sporting event, the FIFA Men’s World Cup.

A picture from Wayne’s earlier days when he owned a Mighty Kicks franchise.

During Wayne’s limited time, he was responsible for helping raise a little over $10,000 for Soccer Chaplains United and helping to make many introductions within the soccer community. In addition, Wayne helped to promote and distribute a number of the devotional books that we’ve written over the past year.

We are so thankful for Wayne Pirmann working with us these past couple of years and we are excited about this new vision and work that he is feeling called to. We look forward to finding ways to partner and support one another in our work towards the future. If you would like to reach out to Wayne  and learn more about Spoudazo Soccer Camps, you can reach him at wayne@spoudazosoccer.com.

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.

The Light is Coming Devotional Ebook Free on Amazon on Christmas Day

In celebration of the end of Advent, Soccer Chaplains United’s devotional ebook, The Light is Coming, will be free on Amazon on Christmas Day. The Light is Coming is our rewrite and revision of the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup devotional offering. It is now available on Amazon globally via the link above.

With one year passed since we wrote for the Men’s World Cup, this devotional has been edited and re-written to remove time references, make it less “2022 World Cup” centric, and to also make it easier for individuals and teams to utilize in any 8-week span.

Our 2022 World Cup devotional remains available for sale on Amazon and is available in Spanish and Portuguese as well. Follow the links below to view those:

Soccer Chaplains United is non-profit, 501(c)3 and depends upon the financial support of our partners to carry out our work of developing chaplaincy across all levels of soccer. Please consider making a contribution today to help us continue growing our work. Our chaplains are not employed or paid by any of the clubs that we serve. Check out our Donation Page with all the different options. Or, simply click the PushPay link below to make a secure, online, tax-deductible gift, or mail a donation to Soccer Chaplains United, PO Box 102081, Denver, CO 80250.

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