Dudley Leaves Soccer Chaplains United to ‘Do-Right’ by Free Guitars for Kids

For 14 years, Ben Dudley has served as the co-volunteer chaplain for the Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer. And for the past two years, he’s had the amazing privilege of leading the vision and work of the non-profit Free Guitars for Kids (FG4K). His love of soccer and passion for music were, at one-time, on a level playing field—but no longer. Ben is hanging up the “boots” to more fully “pick” the guitar for the national non-profit.

Serving as chaplain for the Timbers has been one of the greatest honors of my life, a journey filled with purpose and connection. Now, with Free Guitars 4 Kids, I have the opportunity to impact young lives in a whole new way. Giving kids a guitar isn’t just about an instrument; it’s about hope, expression, and empowerment. This work allows me to reach kids who may have never had the chance to explore music and creativity otherwise, and that mission has become a calling I can’t ignore. While I’ll always cherish my time with the Timbers, I’m excited to devote my energy to helping these kinds find their voice through music.

Ben, on his volunteer chaplaincy service of 14 seasons and on the emerging work of Free Guitars for Kids

My relationship with Ben goes back beyond his start with the Timbers. I still remember the phone call as he was driving a U-Haul truck from Waco, Texas to Portland, OR. “Hey, I’m going to be working in Portland and I’m interested in serving as the chaplain to the soccer team there. What could that look like?” The Timbers at the time (2010) were in the A-League with plans to join MLS in 2011 as an expansion team. A year later, Ben and I were together in Toronto for the MLS Cup Final and the pathway to start working with the team had formed.

Back then, Soccer Chaplains United was known as CrossTraining Ministries. I owe a lot to Ben in the formation and work of seeing Soccer Chaplains United come into existence. In 2012, Ben expressed need and desire to see the non-profit grow to potentially support better raising funds. The work began to form and establish a 501(c)3 nonprofit but a political snafu held up the determination and Ben move into another role but continued to work as the volunteer chaplain. In 2013, former Timber player, Troy Ready, joined as co-volunteer chaplain and the two kept close ties with me and were watching the growth and change which came exponentially as I left church staff in 2015. In 2017, Ben and Troy, re-joined the newly re-branded Soccer Chaplains United as the non-profit began a new chapter.

In 14 seasons of serving the Portland Timbers organization, there are likely a number of highlights and memories to look back on. And certainly, Ben and Troy were both proud of the Timbers MLS Cup win in 2015 and being in the final as well in 2018 and 2021. With Ben serving the club, I’ve made it a point to try and get to Portland every few years to encourage and support Ben and his family and the work being done and it’s led to many great memories and times shared.

Helping Brad shape Soccer Chaplains United from its early “Cross-Training” days was an adventure! We spent countless hours dreaming up what SCU could be, fueled by faith and probably way too much coffee. It’s been incredible to watch Brad take the vision and run with it, growing SCU into something beyond what I had ever imagined. I’m really proud of Brad and his leadership and commitment to holistic chaplain development and support.

Ben, on his favorite Timbers memory and favorite Brad memory

It’s with a mix of joy and sadness that we say goodbye to the one of the longest tenured volunteer chaplains in our history and one that has been at the front of helping Soccer Chaplains United grow into the group that it is today. We wish Ben and his family well into this next stage and chapter of life and vocational calling!

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.