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Soccer Chaplains United is pleased to announce the addition of Tiago Souza to the chaplaincy team. Tiago, a native of Brazil, will be assisting with chaplaincy in the Pacific Northwest, as well as adding to the communications and also assisting with Portuguese translations for the group, as a whole.

A graduate of Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, Tiago is currently the Communications Manager at GracePoint Church in Bremerton, WA. You can see Tiago’s biography page (also in Portuguese) here.

Tiago became familiar with Chaplain Jubal McDaniel (Tacoma Defiance, MLS Next Pro) and watched Jubal in his chaplaincy role. A passionate soccer fan, Tiago took great interest in Jubal’s work with the team. One of Tiago’s roommates, during his time at Liberty, was involved in military chaplaincy and had introduced Tiago to the concept of pastorally caring for people outside of the church.

I was really interested to see chaplaincy and how this seems to be so consistent with Jesus’ calling on our lives, to go, and to be with people. In college, I had many others who were in different contexts of chaplaincy and I was really intrigued at the idea of pastoral care outside of the church building — where the action is, where life is. And more recently, seeing this in the context of sport — with the risk of injury or losing a contract — as a chaplain to be available to pray, to be present, to counsel others is amazing to me.

Tiago Souza, on his early introduction to chaplaincy

Jubal after a few conversations with Tiago and sharing about his work in the soccer chaplaincy, identified Tiago has someone who has great potential for serving in the soccer chaplaincy space. After an initial call with me (Brad), Tiago interviewed with Soccer Chaplains United chaplains and a board member to further assess Tiago’s fit for the team. Jubal has watched Tiago go through the process from start to completion.

I am excited to see Tiago join the team. He’s a great listener and has a great heart for people. I love that he is the first Portuguese speaker for Soccer Chaplains United and he will bring a great addition to the overall group.

Jubal, on what Tiago brings to Soccer Chaplains United

I had the privilege of spending time with Tiago and Jubal when I was in Seattle a couple weeks ago. Tiago is someone who is eager to listen to people and to learn more about them. His spiritual gifts and language gifts will be a blessing for Soccer Chaplains United.

My hope is to better understand and see my calling being polished in a daily basis — what God is calling me to do and who He is calling me to be for people in sport, in soccer. I am looking forward to being that chaplain, that pastoral person, that presence that is trustworthy and safe. I am looking forward to seeing what God can do to me and in me and through me in serving with this ministry.

Tiago, on his hopes for serving Soccer Chaplains United

The addition of Tiago to Soccer Chaplains United, brings the ministry’s chaplain group to 19 chaplains. Please join me in praying for Tiago and his work with Soccer Chaplains United and the chaplaincy work in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

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.