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Last week, the Soccer Chaplains United Board of Directors unanimously voted to approve Matthew Adams to the board. Matthew is VP, Senior Tax Counsel at Cloud Peak Energy and a member of the Department of the Interior Royalty Policy Committee. Originally from Iowa, Matthew grew up playing soccer and he is passionate about leadership and strategic development. An assistant coach at Valor Christian High School, Matthew has had two sons in the program, which  is how Matthew and I met.

As I became involved with the Valor Christian soccer program as a coach, I was tremendously impressed with the cultural impact that Rev. had on the coaches and players alike.  His modeling and support of Christian values as players deal with success, challenges and personal growth is invaluable to the entire community.

Matthew’s passions and gifts toward developing mid-range and long-range strategy is an important gift and asset to bring to the board of Soccer Chaplains United, especially at this time. As we have completed, now, one year of moving forward with our new name and rebrand we will need to begin to strategically think through the different opportunities that lie before us in terms of development and potential growth. Among some of the key developments and learnings that will need strategical thinking and planning hit amongst our three expressions, namely:

1. Chaplaincy — we are the only organization looking to provide chaplains at all levels of the sport. Especially, in the areas of the youth game and at the collegiate level this will require strategic plan development and roll out.
2. Counseling — we are the only sports organization or ministry group that is coupling chaplaincy and counseling. As a pioneering work, there has been difficulty in gaining traction, but we are beginning to get through some early development stages.
3. Community — as our footprint across soccer grows, we know that we will become aware of more need and more opportunities. Developing a robust community service plan will be key for the future.

I am honored to join this group of exceptional men and women in pursuit of increasing the impact of SCU.  I look forward to helping shape and implement our growth initiatives as we enable players and coaches to utilize their personal strengths and faith to raise their professional skills to greater heights.  I strongly believe that by enabling and supporting pastoral and counseling support services through the great sport of soccer, we are building and strengthing entire communities in a unique and positive way.

Matthew is a graduate of Drake University and holds a Masters and Doctor of Law from the University of Denver. He is an expert in tax law and different issues surrounding compliance and regulatory issues.

Matthew’s appointment now brings the Soccer Chaplains United Board of Directors back up to seven individuals, following Jack Ballou’s non-renewal.

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, counseling, and community service across all levels of soccer. Please consider making a contribution today to help us continue growing our work.

If you would like to learn more about Soccer Chaplains United, please email info@soccerchaplainsunited.org.