Podcast

From the Touchline

From the Touchline is a short-feature (usually 10 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director of Soccer Chaplains United and Volunteer Chaplain to the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer.
Rev Brad and occasional guests touch on various issues around the topics of faith, family, and football (soccer).

  • Greg Aydt enters into his third season serving as volunteer chaplain for Memphis 901 FC and as part of Soccer Chaplains United. 901 FC, a team that plays second division soccer in the the USL-Championship here in the U.S, is located in Memphis and Greg always has an interesting historical story that he ties into the team and into chaplaincy. Listen today as Greg and I talk about Tom Lee, my disc golf game, and freeze pops of all things. You won't want to miss it. I am Rev Brad Kenney, and this is the Soccer Chaplains United podcast, From the Touchline. From the Touchline is a short-feature (usually 10-15 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director

  • Clint Moore is one of the newer chaplains for Soccer Chaplains United. He volunteers with New Mexico United, playing in the the USL-Championship — the second division of professional soccer in the U.S. United are just a hop-skip and a jump down I-25 (a major interstate in the US) and this fast-paced and exciting team with an amazing fan base already have developing rivalries with league counterparts — Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC as well as Major League Soccer side, Colorado Rapids. United played the Rapids a few years ago in the inter-league US Open Cup and won in Colorado to advance deep in the tournament. This year, as Clint enters into his third season as volunteer chaplain. He joins me,

  • Pastor Kurt Trempert is one of the longest standing volunteer chaplains for Soccer Chaplains United and he serves the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, a team that plays in the the USL-Championship, the second division of professional soccer in the U.S. The Switchbacks are an affiliate for the Colorado Rapids and so there is often a shuttling back and forth of players on loan between the two clubs, situated about an hour and half drive down Interstate-25. This year, Kurt enters into his seventh season as volunteer chaplain. He joins me, Rev Brad Kenney, on the From the Touchline podcast today ahead of the team's grand home opener this week (Friday) and the brand-new Weidner Field located in downtown Colorado Springs.

  • Jubal McDaniel serves as volunteer chaplain for the Tacoma Defiance, a team that plays in the second division of professional soccer in the U.S., the USL-Championship. This year, Jubal enters into his first full season as chaplain. He joins Rev Brad Kenney on the From the Touchline podcast today ahead of the team's home opener to talk a little bit about what makes Tacoma "defiant" and how the team is doing just one game into the season. From the Touchline is a short-feature (usually 10-15 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director of Soccer Chaplains United and Volunteer Chaplain to the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer. Rev Brad and occasional guests touch on various issues around

  • From the Touchline

    Sunday, April 18, 2021 — just a year on from the outset of the global pandemic, 12 elite, European football (soccer) clubs announce intentions to break ranks with UEFA and form their own Super League, as founding members. The announcement sent shockwaves throughout the football world and with great calamity and unforeseen ramifications. From media journalists, pundits, ardent supporters and fans, as well as other football clubs — a cry arose. "Foul!" And a deadly spiral leading to ugly fan protests which culminated in the past weekend with the Manchester United fixture against Liverpool postponed due to violence and supporters who stormed the grounds of Old Trafford in a voice against club ownership and this deep, deep sense of betrayal. Today,

  • From the Touchline

    As the United Soccer League (USL) starts to ramp up its season this weekend, soccer across North America will finally be in full-swing. The USL manages the lower divisions of professional soccer in the U.S. and Canada and has many teams in smaller cities and markets. USL-Championship is the top tier of soccer below Major League Soccer (MLS). Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, Rev Brad is joined by 5 different USL-C chaplains! Robert Briggs, chaplain of Sacramento Republic; Greg Aydt, chaplain to Memphis 901 FC; Kurt Trempert, chaplain to Colorado Springs Switchbacks; Jubal McDaniel, chaplain to the Tacoma Defiance; and Erick Jiménez, chaplain to El Paso Locomotives FC are all on the podcast. Each chaplain shares a little

  • As the Major League Soccer (MLS) season gets underway, former defender, Jared Watts (Colorado Rapids and Houston Dynamo) joins the podcast today to talk about own goals. An own goal in soccer can be one of the most devastating things for a player to have to go through in the course of a game — especially with the stakes being high. Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, listen as Jared and I talk about own goals in soccer and in life. Jared is gracious to allow us to break down and analyze his own goal in a Colorado Rapids home game back in 2017, when he turns to pass the ball back to Goalkeeper Tim Howard, but ends up putting

  • From the Touchline

    Last week, the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) sprang back into action with the kickoff of the second annual Challenge Cup series. Major League Soccer (MLS) begins league play this weekend with its teams set to kick off across the US. With both leagues preparing to begin their respective seasons with what will, hopefully, be a bit of a return to normalcy for professional soccer in North America. Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, Rev Brad is joined by Ben Dudley, co-chaplain of the Portland Timbers and Christina Garber, chaplain to the Portland Thorns. The three Soccer Chaplains United chaplains talk about the beginning of the season, contrast things with last year, and look ahead to the season in

  • Next week, the Swedish leagues (Allsvenskan, Superettan, etc.) kick off next week with the women's league (Damallsvenskan) beginning the week after. With the global nature of the game of football (soccer) there have been many athletes and coaches who have played both in the United States and Sweden — and in honor of the season start, Mattias Ottestig joins me on the podcast today to share a little about his story as a footballer in Sweden and the ministry and work that he is part of today, known as KRIK. KRIK stands for Kristen Idrottskontakt or Christian Sports Contact is a youth organization that seeks to create and combine the joy in sports, the joy in the Christian faith and

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    Today is known as Spy Wednesday. Coming in the middle of Holy Week, we are just days away from Easter, but tonight is the night when, according to the biblical account, Judas agreed to betray Jesus and disclose the disciple's location so that the religious leaders could arrest Jesus. 30 pieces of silver. That was the price, that was the blood money that Judas took — the equivalent of paying off the life of a slave. On today's From the Touchline podcast, we look at Judas' betrayal and betrayal moments that happen in football. If you have been around professional football for a length of time, it's likely you have experienced some form of betrayal — whether as an athlete,

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    In the wake of the shootings which occurred in Boulder, Colorado on Monday, March 22, 2021 one of the most difficult and penetrating questions that people ask is, "Where is God?" Where is God in the midst of suffering? Where is God in the midst of a shooting where ten people lose their lives? Today's From the Touchline podcast is different. I almost didn't record one. It was difficult. But I share a few readings that can hopefully get us down the road a bit in wrestling with the question, "Where is God?" A passage from John Stott. A longer essay from Peter Kreeft, entitled Shared Hells. The ancient words of David from the text of Psalm 139. I have

  • With the start of the season only a few days away, Christ Presbyterian Academy (Nashville) Chaplain Ryan Doyle joins to talk about his faith and family journey and what's ahead for the CPA Lions. Rev Ryan Doyle, a long time soccer coach with CPA, now serves the team voluntarily as chaplain, a role that he really relishes. Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, listen as Ryan shares about his faith story and how God took him as a young man and used a friend to confront him about his lifestyle — leading him to seek a different path. Ryan also shares about his family, especially his children — from adopting three of their six children and how his two sons

  • Valor Christian High School Boy Soccer starts their season next Monday night. Soccer Chaplains United Chaplain, Greg Navitsky, who serves the team voluntarily, joins the podcast today for part two — sharing his soccer and life journey as well as his hopes and prayers for the Valor Eagles team. Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, listen as Chaplain Greg shares more about his Liverpool Academy experience and his journey that led him to Colorado and serving at Valor. From the Touchline is a short-feature (usually 10-15 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director of Soccer Chaplains United and Volunteer Chaplain to the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer. Rev Brad and occasional guests touch on various issues

  • Boys high school soccer in Colorado is just about to kickoff from a delayed started going back to last fall. Valor Christian High School chaplain, Greg Navitsky, joins the podcast today to share about his soccer and life story in this, part one of a two-episode podcast. The From the Touchline podcast hosted by Rev Brad Kenney, features an interview with Chaplain Greg. Greg shares about how soccer was a huge part of his life growing up and how he reached a really high level, but was aware that maybe God was calling him to something different. Hear more about this former Liverpool Academy trialist who is a recent Denver Seminary graduate and addition to Soccer Chaplains United. From the

  • 2020 and 2021 have been difficult for college sports teams — seasons postponed, games canceled, college recruiting stopped, scholarships extended, and more. During such times, as coaches and athletes alike struggle with the every shifting, ever adapting changes it can be a vital space for a chaplain to step into and serve, and love, and speak truth. Well today, on the From the Touchline podcast, Chaplain Miss Kim joins me on the podcast to share a bit about her life story and to talk about her work with the Trinity International University Men's Soccer Team. Kim's unique role wasn't something she necessarily sought out, but God opened an amazing door and looking back over her life story, it's easy to

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    Today is Ash Wednesday and the time that the church and Christians around the world mark the beginning of the season of Lent and the 40 days or so leading up to Easter Sunday.  Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, instead of doing a separate podcast, I have simply taken the audio (both English and Spanish and put it into our typical format). I encourage you to check out the recorded service on our YouTube page — we will have linked on the website, our social media outlets and on our app, but if you cannot watch the video service for some reason, I thought the audio would be at least better than nothing. You can watch on our website,

  • Hoy es Miércoles de Ceniza y el momento en que la iglesia y los cristianos de todo el mundo marcan el comienzo de la temporada de Cuaresma y los 40 días previos al Domingo de Pascua.  Hoy, en el podcast From the Touchline, en lugar de hacer un podcast separado, simplemente tomé el audio (tanto en inglés como en español y lo puse en nuestro formato típico). Te animo a que consultes el servicio grabado en nuestra página de YouTube; tendremos enlaces en el sitio web, nuestras redes sociales y nuestra aplicación, pero si no puedes ver el servicio de video por alguna razón, pensé que el audio estaría en menos mejor que nada.  Doy una breve introducción en el podcast, así

  • From the Touchline

    Caedmon had an interesting start to life — his desire and passion didn't match his skill and ability. He wanted to sing. He wanted to recite poetry. He wanted to share in the communal musical and lyrical moments of his day. But he couldn't. Couldn't sing, he was off key. He couldn't play the harp. To his shame he would run and avoid those moments which had become a heavy embarrassment for him. What do you do when confronted with something you love, but aren't very good at it? Can God somehow transform it? Can God use you to carry His song, His message to the world, even if you're tone deaf and can't remember the words? Today, on the From

  • In many places around the world, football season has already begun, but here in the U.S. and in a few other nations, the new season is yet to begin. Just last week Major League Soccer joined the other professional leagues in the U.S., announcing a tentative start date for the 2021 season. For years, prior to the beginning of a season, as a chaplain, I have stepped forward to bless — athletes, coaches, staff, and those who are part of the game prior to the season start and to share with each of them a critical message — not just for the season ahead, but for life. Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, I look at a passage in Deuteronomy

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    The consequences of sin are some times the thing we fear most — no it's not the confrontation or the confession — sometimes when that happens we feel lifted, lighter. It's almost a relief when the truth comes to life. However, when we have the short and long-term consequences of sin that we have to face — those things can be painful, hurtful, and we might wonder if we will ever recover My best mate, Fraser Keay, concludes the month of January with the last parts of one of his published biblical monologues. He narrates a time in King David's (Israel) life when he abused his kingly power and fell from God's grace. Today, in parts 5 and 6, we see David

  • From the Touchline

    We all need truth-tellers in our lives — you know, a person who isn't afraid to tell you like it is, ready to call you out when you start to go astray. And this can be hard — to be confronted with the truth. What is your response when that happens? Do you get defensive? Are you stoic and unwavering? Or, is there a sense of sadness and repentance when you realize you've sinned, messed up, made a mistake? My best mate, Fraser Keay, continues to share with us during the month of January through one of his published biblical monologues. He narrates a time in King David's (Israel) life when he abused his kingly power and fell from God's

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    Have you ever sinned, or messed up really bad, and then you tried to "cover it up"? How did that go? How long until it was discovered or you were found out? How far down the rabbit hole did you go trying to cover up one lie or sin with another and another? My best mate, Fraser Keay, joins us during the month of January to share one of his published biblical monologues. He narrates a time in King David's (Israel) life when he abused his kingly power and fell from God's grace. This story is powerful. Today, in part 2, we look at David's sin and subsequent coverup — which just unravels more and more. In today's From the

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    At what point do you and I become apathetic? Whether it has to do with our football, our family and relationships, or even our faith — we all face times in our lives when we lose sight and lose hope and become lazy and indifferent toward these crucial things in our lives. My best mate, Fraser Keay, joins us again during the month of January to share one of his published biblical monologues, this time narrating King David's abuse of power and fall from grace. This story is powerful, as we look at the danger of apathy in our vocation or, more dangerously, towards God and towards others. In today's From the Touchline episode, Fraser Keay ("Kay") lends his voice and

  • Have you ever thought to put Jesus' disciples into a starting 11? What formation would you use? Would you put Simon Peter as a 6 or as a 9? Well, that's just a little bit of the fun that we have with our special guest, Coach Brian Shultz on the From the Touchline podcast. Brian is the Head Coach for Valor Christian High School's Boys and Girls Soccer teams. In today's episode, we hear a bit about Brian and Rev Brad's relationship and how Brian came to know the Lord. We also hear how Brian works to incorporate faith and football as a long-time club and high school soccer coach. From the Touchline is a short-feature (usually 10-15 min) podcast

  • I said it last week — "There's a lot of talent amongst our chaplains." Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, Billy Cerveny sings and plays the classic Christmas carol, O Holy Night. Billy is volunteer chaplain with Nashville SC and the founder of Redbird in Nashville. Billy has been part of the Nashville music scene for many years before going into the pastorate and into chaplain work. His music is self-described as, If you hated country music and only had one country record it would probably be mine...Billy Cerveny, on his music style As Billy sings, O Holy Night, I hope that it helps you — where ever you are to ready your heart for Christmas. I think that

  • There is a lot of talent amongst the folks that comprise the chaplain corps of Soccer Chaplains United. Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, I feature an original song composed and recorded by Benjamin Dudley, volunteer co-chaplain with the Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer. Ben is the longest tenured chaplain with Soccer Chaplains United (going back to 2010) and part of his story and person involves a love and skill with music. Ben's song, Everything Is All Right With Me, with lyrics from friend Rob Grant, is a fitting song not only for a year that feels lost to a global pandemic, but in the difficult world of soccer where athletes and coaches and others in the game

  • This weekend, the Seattle Sounders and Columbus Crew face off in the 2020 Major League Soccer Cup Final. Well, it was 10 years ago, that I had the privilege to accompany the team where I serve as volunteer chaplain, the Colorado Rapids, to Toronto, Canada for the 2010 championship match against FC Dallas. Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, I reminisce and share a couple of memories that I have from my time with team during that championship time so many years ago. From the Touchline is a short-feature (usually 10-15 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director of Soccer Chaplains United and Volunteer Chaplain to the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer. Rev Brad and

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    Last week, the devastating news broke, Diego Maradona, one of the greatest football legends in the game, died while resting at his home in Buenos Aires, Argentina. For Argentinians, Maradona was a national hero and, for some, a god. For a cadre of football stars around the world, Maradona was some to be emulated for his on the field skills and abilities and accomplishments. Yet, for many controversy stirred around the person of Diego Armando Maradona and his life — with his almost Jekyll and Hyde personality. The comments of Diego's personal trainer, Fernando Signorini, were an inspiration and springboard for today's episode. In the 2019 documentary, Diego Maradona, by Asif Kapadia, Signorini is quoted as saying: “For Diego, I

  • 2020, unlike any other year in recent memory may prove to be the most difficult one yet to find much to give thanks for. But as we get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving in the U.S., we all might just need a little extra encouragement and help in just how to give thanks and some ideas of what to give thanks for. Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, I share three practices that can help shape our understanding and orient us toward a better posture of giving thanks — even when we are facing scarcity. Scripture references from today's episode include: I Thessalonians 5:16-18Psalm 136Mark 6:30-44 From the Touchline is a short-feature (usually 10-15 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney,

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    It's my favorite time of year, again. Advent. This season and the lessons that we can learn and the hope that we can build has perhaps never been so important especially in the difficulties that we've undergone with COVID-19. I have shared before about Celtic Advent (listen to last year's podcast). This season of the church which begins November 15 is a critical time for preparing our hearts and lives for the coming of Jesus. Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, I share the three different ways that Celtic Christians understood and celebrated the season of Advent and I talk about three things that are critical for getting us through the waiting seasons and moments of life. Today, I

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    Last year, on Saint Martin's Feast Day (November 11), I created a special podcast (listen to it here) and shared Saint Martin's story — the one where he famously cuts his Roman cloak in half and covers a beggar shivering from the cold. That famous story is the origin of our English word for chaplain. Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, I share another story of Saint Martin, on this, the day when we celebrate his life and faith. This time, Martin is now a Bishop in the church. He is a leader and has a certain place and power that has been given to him (although he is reportedly reluctant to receive it). Again, Martin covers someone who

  • From the Touchline

    Today is a pivotal time in the history of the United States, with a polarized and divisive time politically and socially, there are different attitudes and approaches toward governmental and other types of authority. Even in the sport of football, submitting to authority can be a struggle — whether as an athlete submitting to a manager, a coach at odds with a technical director, or, even, new ownership at a club. Of course, there is corruption and abuse of power at the lowest and highest and levels of the game and replete throughout all authoritative places, but how are we to live and respond? Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, I look at the crucial text of Romans 13:1-5

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    For the Christian athlete, sometimes questions can arise around the morals and ethics that we find in the midst of the Beautiful Game and in sport, in general. Is competition good? Is it healthy? Is it right? There is a historic tension at times felt and perceived between one's faith and the competitive nature that we find at work in the game of football. Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, I briefly examine the spirit of competition and offer, what I believe to be a few benefits the can be derived from a healthy spirit of competition — both for the individual and for a team. Scripture references from today's episode is linked below : Proverbs 27:17Philippians 1:18Hebrews 10:24

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    Have you ever felt alone in the midst of the Beautiful Game? Alone in your faith? Alone in a different country, where you don't speak the same language? Where it is difficult to find community or ways to live out your faith? Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, I am joined by American Goalkeeper, John Hollinger. John joins me via zoom from Madrid, Spain while he waits out a 4-week lockdown in Northern Ireland where he has been on trial. John shares about his journey as a goalkeeper and his faith journey, what it's like to be in a foreign country and trying to live out your faith, and we play a fun little game called "Reflex" where we

  • From the Touchline

    In the midst of uncertain and difficult time, we may find ourselves flat on our back and needing help to stand back up. We need a good, trusted friend — someone who gets us, someone who understands us to help us back up after we've been knocked down. Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, I share a story of two men who extend a hand and helped each other through a difficult time. In II Kings 10:15-16 we read about Jehu and Jehonadab. At a time of great civil unrest and national turmoil, Jehu extends a hand of friendship and allegiance to Jehonadab. I reflect on our need during difficult times to have a friend who can extend a

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    We are well into the fall season now — leaves are changing, there is a chill in the night air — and the football season here in the U.S. is soon to come to a close with end-of-year tournaments before the cold of winter sets in. Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, I reflect on the similarities between the harvest season and the football season. Reflecting on poetic words from Kenneth McLeod's book Road to the Isles and also the apostle Paul's words found in Galatians 6:9-10, I hope that these can be words of encouragement — whether this fall season sees you reaping a bountiful reward or has you feeling somewhat empty-handed. Scripture reference from today's episode is

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    In the Kenney household, the fifth week of the month is something special — because mom and dad are on for doing the typical household chores. Yes, each of my four girls, absolutely love when a month has a 5th week — they are jubilant and overjoyed with being able to get a "break" from loading dishes and setting table and such. Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, I reflect on where else in life and in football we might need a "5th week" — a bit of rest from the work that we typically have. I briefly touch on themes of sabbath and sabbatical, something that I have podcasted about before (see Jan 1, 2020 podcast) but also

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    Special guest and friend, Steve Guppy, who currently serves as the Nashville SC Assistant Coach and is a former winger for English Premier club Leicester City, joins me for part two of a recorded interview. I take a look at a few verses found in Isaiah 40 and ask Steve some further questions about what it's like for a footballer on the wings to go the distance in a match. Steve and I also have a bit of fun with a new game called, Crosses with Rev where we serve some questions into each other and try to stump the other and even get a bit of a laugh. Today's From the Touchline episode is part two of a recorded

  • From the Touchline

    Special guest and former England National Team and Leicester City, winger, Steve Guppy joins me today to share more about how he got into the game of football (soccer) and what it really takes to work, play hard and have success on the wings. Steve shares about his own journey including not touching a ball for two years and some of the special memories that have happened for him along the way, including being mentioned in the same sentence as David Beckham. Today's From the Touchline episode is part one of a recorded interview and Steve shares stories and memories from his playing days and beyond. Make sure that you tune in next week to hear part two of the

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    Everyone in the game of football has likely been on the cusp at some point — whether as a substitute or a trialist, whether as an assistant coach or staffer or working somewhere within in the the football industry, it's likely that you have been in that position where greatness, achievement or success was just within reach and, yet, you get passed over for someone else or because of circumstances that are out of your control or no fault of your own. Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, we look at the story of Joe (really Joseph) and Matthias from Acts, chapter 1, and how Joe got passed over when it came to first team selection to join the original

  • Have you ever chased after a floating bubble, only to have it disappear on you? Have you opened up your mouth to catch a falling snowflake, only to wonder if you ever really caught it because it just didn't seem to last? Or, have you ever on a chilly evening got a glimpse of your "breath" in a glint of light only to see it quickly fade away? Then you have experienced hebel {heh'vel}. Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, I look at the interesting Hebrew word hebel, used 38 different times in the wisdom literature of the book of Ecclesiastes. And I encourage us to consider the wisdom of Solomon who came to the final conclusion that life

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    Brooke Ewert, Director of Counseling for Soccer Chaplains United, joins me on the From the Touchline podcast, today to talk about the different ways that she is helping athletes, coaches, and others in soccer cope in the midst of the pandemic influenced sports season. The current global pandemic has seen a rise in the numbers of athletes and others around sport who are faced with serious mental health issues such as loneliness, depression, and anxiety. Brooke and I talk about the need for awarenessmand help and support as well as some practical exercises and tips for coping with the difficulties of this time. Brooke also shares a number of suggested books and biographies that might give helpful insight from others

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    The Portland Timbers won the MLS is Back Tournament and co-chaplains Ben Dudley and Troy Ready join me on today's episode of From the Touchline to talk about the team, the tourney and what the remainder of the season might look like. It's Troy's first time on the podcast so we will get to know him a little bit better and hear some of his background and story — including a difficult moment in a Latvian bathroom stall. You will definitely want to tune in for the whole episode and try to make sense of this (see the video below): Portland Timbers co-chaplain, Ben Dudley almost lands the "big" one... From the Touchline is a short-feature (usually 10-15 min) podcast with

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    Amidst the tumult of scheduling changes, season cancellations, bubble tournaments, playing in empty stadiums, social distancing, and contact tracing, how can a footballer stay at peace? Well, the words of the prophet Isaiah, many, many years ago can help us to realize how we can keep (or, more accurately, be kept in) perfect peace — heart, mind, body, and soul in these uncertain times. Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, I look at the words of Isaiah 26:3-4 and share three helpful ways that we might live more fully into the prophets words. Words of comfort, and hope and peace in the midst of troubling and uncertain times. From the Touchline is a short-feature (usually 10-15 min) podcast with Rev

  • From the Touchline

    The Portland Timbers are set to try and advance in tonight's matchup against the Philadelphia Union in the MLS is Back Tournament. On today's From the Touchline podcast, we speak with Ben Dudley, volunteer co-chaplain with the Timbers and a Soccer Chaplains United original. Ben shares about what chaplaincy to the Timbers organization looks like, as well as how the team is received in the city of Portland and what it's like for athletes from other countries to live in Portland during the political and social unrest we've recently seen and experienced. From the Touchline is a short-feature (usually 10-15 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director of Soccer Chaplains United and Volunteer Chaplain to the Colorado

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    In such uncertain times, there are certainly many difficult spaces for football/soccer athletes, coaches, and teams to navigate. Whether issues stemming from COVID-19 and lockdown, to sequestering for a month-long tournament to get back to soccer, or the racial tensions and strife that are rippling throughout US cities and around the world — just a normal day can be overwhelming — before adding all these things into the mix. Where does a chaplain fit into the mix of that? And where and how does a chaplain to an elite women's soccer team serve? Listen to today's podcast to get special insight into the women's game of soccer in the US and the work of a chaplain to help a team remember

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    In a football, there are a lot of people running — and not only are they running for a ball — many times its much more than that; they are often running away from a past. In truth, we all have a past — things that we are ashamed of, things that happened in the past that are part of us, things that seem too dark, too deviant, irreparable. In today's From the Touchline episode, I take a look at the life of a man who's past could have severely crippled who he was to become had he not been able to overcome the rough start. Listen to hear about this biblical "Messi" who flipped sides and was a key contributor towards

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    And who is my neighbor? This age-old question has been bandied about a lot with varying responses, but perhaps it has never been more critical for Christians and especially for Christian footballers to wrestle with the question and understanding, who is my neighbor? Sometimes in football/soccer, because of the global nature of the game and because of the diverse settings in our locker rooms and sport, we can feel that we've somehow arrived or that we don't need to go deep in talking about "neighbors." In today's From the Touchline episode, we are going to look at Jesus' answer to this question, Who is my neighbor?, and how in reframing the answer to the definition of "neighbor" not only did

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    The murder of George Floyd has sparked global outcry. And Floyd's death has touched professional footballers and many other people of color who have felt or experienced, themself, the oppressive spirit and injustice when others held power or sway. In today's From the Touchline episode, I share a personal story and experience with racial reconciliation and the need for people to self-examine — hearts, and attitudes and prejudices that we carry toward other people. And this is a beginning point for reconciling to people who have been mistreated and unjustly impacted because of their skin color and other reasons. There is a strong importance for people and especially followers of Jesus to not remain silent on this issue any longer. Below

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    Right now, if you’re like me, you’re probably tired of all things Coronavirus — it can feel consuming, depressing, and more. Even as things in the U.S. begin to re-open and start to phase a return, there are likely still a lot of questions that are in your heart and mind — will school happen in the fall? Will sports resume? What will life look like on the other side? In today's From the Touchline episode, I want to introduce a woman to you, with that hope that from her story we might gain some encouragement and strength to persevere through this global pandemic time. We may live in different parts of the world and our governments and health officials and