King Sees Silent San Diego Open Up, Begins Chaplaincy Service
Patrick King began his volunteer chaplain journey in October of 2024 when he put in an application and went through the interview process to serve the local Major League Soccer team, San Diego FC. After excelling in the interview and demonstrating the pastoral heart that we typically look for in a chaplain, he got an introduction to staff at the team and we prepared for him to being service ahead of the team’s inaugural season in 2025. Then, everything went quiet.
With the club’s beginning season, and all the stress and strain that comes with getting a first-year, top-of-the-line professional soccer team off the ground, the chaplaincy took a back burner. Patrick had some connections throughout the year and offered some availability and support to some staff and athletes, but things felt more like wheels spinning than gaining traction.
San Diego FC had a breakout year. Amongst some of the significant milestones, the club finished 1st in the Western Conference and set a record with 63 points. They lost in the Western Conference Playoff Final to Vancouver Whitecaps, but they had established a new standard for MLS expansion teams on multiple levels. Still, though, the chaplaincy was not going anywhere.
Fast forward to January of this year, I had a hard conversation with Patrick. I asked one question:
Sorry, Patrick. I know that the chaplaincy work hasn’t really taken off. Do you want to keep at it?
– my (Brad Kenney), question to Patrick mid-January of this year
Knowing that the demands on a full-time, senior pastor are immense and that the volunteer chaplaincy can be a difficult and time-consuming add-on, Patrick reluctantly shared that he didn’t think he could keep committing to keeping the space and margin for something that wasn’t showing fruit. We agreed (sadly) to start the off-boarding process.
As I shared with the Board of Directors at our quarterly meeting the following week, Board Member Wells Thompson spoke up. “Hey let me call my friend (one of the assistant coaches) and check in with him one more time before we call it quits.”
That led to an expedient chain of events. “Hey Wells, let me get back to you on this — there is a group of players that have started meeting and they have shared that they want a chaplain or someone to help lead them with their Bible study…”
Over the course of the next few weeks, Patrick was invited to meet with the Assistant Coach, and then one of the group leaders for the players. He was invited to come out to the training center and to visit with the players to learn more of the group study and where the group was desiring to go. Patrick since then has begun to make himself available for the group and for individuals.
When I first met the San Diego players, I encouraged them with Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” God has called us as a group to sharpen our understanding of and commitment to the gospel for our good and the glory of Jesus.
Patrick King, on his initial meetup with San Diego FC athletes
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