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Josh Bailey has a pastors heart. Josh also is coach and enjoys sports — namely basketball and soccer. In his time as both coach and pastor he has for awhile now, been prayerfully considering ways to combine soccer and sharing about Jesus; being Jesus. He’s had previous opportunities to do serve as a chaplain in the past. Josh served as a chaplain with a men’s college basketball team before — traveling with athletes, attending practices, leading chapel services, and meeting with people one-on-one for spiritual and emotional support. It’s from that experience that Josh knows the many opportunities that can come when investing in the lives of people and he has been sensing it’s time to be more active doing that type of ministry again.

That nudge and inkling led Josh to start searching for ways to connect, especially and more deeply in with the burgeoning soccer community. His search led him to find Soccer Chaplains United and to reach out with an initial inquiry. Josh, is the Pastor at Covenant Church (PCA), where he has been serving since 2018. You can read more on his bio page here.

I was really excited to find Soccer Chaplains United and meet Rev Brad. With the growth of soccer in West Virginia, I was looking for a way to serve the soccer community for Christ. I am looking forward to making connections with the teams and coaches in the greater Charleston area and West Virginia. 

Josh, on his hopes for serving the community of soccer in West Virginia

Josh and I have been conversing for the past 6 months. As a pastor, Josh has driven by the local soccer fields and seen an increasing number of people — people whom he knows might never be part or connected to a local church. Seeing the children and parents and families awoken something within him — a desire to reach out, to be available, to serve. And with the rapids growth of the game in the valley — from seeing the collegiate and club teams to even a USL-League Two team — Josh has sought for ways other than coaching to serve.

One of the things that most excites me about Soccer Chaplains United is being a part of a team of other chaplains across the country. As I sought to find a place to do soccer chaplain work, it was very important for me to have accountability and oversight, which is exactly what Soccer Chaplains United provides.

Josh, on one of the things that attracted him to reach out to Soccer Chaplains United

Josh’s background includes serving as a teacher in schools for over 15 years. His latest role before becoming a pastor was as a Title 1 teacher working with students struggling with reading and math. In addition, Josh has coached many athletic teams in soccer and basketball. He works hard to be a servant leader with a consistent demeanor — knowing it’s an example to others, including his wife and 5 children. He strives to be approachable and to be an excellent listener — knowing that these are key components to being part of a team and working with other people.

I am excited to pioneer a work in the greater Charleston area. There is nobody doing work in the soccer community quite like what Soccer Chaplains United offers. I am humbled to be a part of the team! 

Josh, on his hopes for working with Soccer Chaplains United to develop out chaplaincy opportunities for the future

We want to encourage supporters to be praying for Josh and the various opportunities that exist and will continue to arise in the greater Charleston, West Virginia area.

Josh becomes Soccer Chaplains United’s 22nd chaplain.

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.