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Pirmann Leaving to Start up Spoudazo Soccer Camps

In July of 2022, Wayne Pirmann joined Soccer Chaplains United’s ministry team as a Development Officer to help assist with fundraising and growing the public awareness of our organization. In more recent times, though, God has placed a massive burden on his heart for utilizing the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup as a conduit for evangelistic soccer camps.

Spoudazo Soccer Camps will be hosted throughout the US, in various cities and towns, through a new LLC. Spoudazo (Greek for “be diligent”) Soccer Camps will be for children age 13-18 and have high level coaching and training about soccer and about Jesus. The camps will feature for the next couple of years as an engagement point for the church and local communities ahead of the largest global sporting event, the FIFA Men’s World Cup.

A picture from Wayne’s earlier days when he owned a Mighty Kicks franchise.

During Wayne’s limited time, he was responsible for helping raise a little over $10,000 for Soccer Chaplains United and helping to make many introductions within the soccer community. In addition, Wayne helped to promote and distribute a number of the devotional books that we’ve written over the past year.

We are so thankful for Wayne Pirmann working with us these past couple of years and we are excited about this new vision and work that he is feeling called to. We look forward to finding ways to partner and support one another in our work towards the future. If you would like to reach out to Wayne  and learn more about Spoudazo Soccer Camps, you can reach him at wayne@spoudazosoccer.com.

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. Check out our Donate page for different giving options.

Pirmann Joins Soccer Chaplains United as New Development Officer

Soccer Chaplains United has officially come full circle! Today we are excited to announce Wayne Pirmann, Ph.D., MSFS as coming on board the ministry team. Wayne will assist with the financial development and fiscal stability of the organization as the ministry continues to grow and expand. Wayne will serve as the first Development Officer in our history, and will be in a role that suits Wayne and his gifting, talents, and life experience well. You can read more about Wayne at his bio page here.

I asked Wayne what his hopes were in working with and for Soccer Chaplains United, and in typically Wayne-fashion, he replied with a wry grin,

Why am I even working? And why for Soccer Chaplains United? Well, no one else would give me a job! (laughing)…No, the truth is, I spent 23 years in the financial services industry helping people prepare for retirement…having read both John Piper’s pamphlet on retirement (Rethinking Retirement) and his larger tome (Don’t Waste Your Life) traditional retirement doesn’t work for me…I don’t like it. I need to be working for the Lord. I need to be doing Kingdom work. My recent studies in the Bible have me convinced that I need to be useful to my local church, but I also need to be available to more national or even international ministries. I need to be using my skills, my experiences — all of it. Affiliating with Brad and Soccer Chaplains United — it’s a no-brainer, a synergistic season of life just waiting to happen!

Wayne Pirmann, on working with Soccer Chaplains United

Did I mention that Wayne likes to talk? Our meetings average 2-3 hours because we both get caught up talking ministry, soccer, and Jesus, for hours on end.

I can certainly say that I am really thankful and glad to have Wayne coming on board. Since the summer of 2020, Soccer Chaplains United has been struggling with the financial development side of the ministry. Wayne’s time and attention will not only go towards helping myself and the general ministry finances, but also into helping individual chaplains that are raising funds through Soccer Chaplains United. He will being his gifts, passion, and understanding of biblical stewardship and tithing principles to help out the different chaplains across the various U.S. cities that are currently offsetting ministry costs with fundraising.

Wayne and his former non-profit, S.T.A.R.T. (Short Term Ambassador Ministry Teams), were the original fiscal sponsors for Soccer Chaplains United. S.T.A.R.T. supported us back when we had originally began as CrossTraining Ministries. The non-profit, led by Wayne Pirmann and Wally Hostetter, aimed to equip various short-term mission trips from around the US to go around the world and the group provided the foundational administrative support for the ministry between 2007 — 2012. Being fiscally sponsored allowed us to begin receiving donations to cover the expenditures and costs associated with doing the chaplaincy ministry. 

For my wife and me, Wayne and Brenda (his wife of over 40 years) have a special place in our hearts. They opened their home to our little family in 2009; I was in town to meet with Wayne and S.T.A.R.T. and also to travel to Toronto to visit the Colorado Rapids who were playing on the road against Toronto F.C. It was at the Pirmann’s home that we heard news of the church where I eventually worked for some six years, asking me back for a second interview.

In 2012, we discovered that we were outgrowing S.T.A.R.T. and we filed our own 501(c)3 paperwork in October of that year. It took until the following year of November to receive official word that our non-profit had been approved, but Wayne and I have kept in touch since.

I asked Wayne if he had any fond memories from the past and to clarify a little bit more on why work for Soccer Chaplains United, and, more specifically, with me. Again, there was a wry little smile and a gleam in the Pirmann eye,

Well, I was introduced to you (Brad) over 15 years ago and I’ve been 100% in support of you and your organization’s mission and goals ever since…When we met in December to watch MLS Cup, I ended up talking to one of your board members (Geoff Eliason) and saying, ‘What if I help Brad Kenney and SCU raise money?’ I didn’t know at he time that it would lead to this, but I am excited that it has because I want to help SCU grow and I don’t want to see Brad Kenney ever have to leave his day job of being chaplain and supporting all of these other chaplains in soccer.

Wayne, on what he hopes to accomplish for Soccer Chaplains United

Another legacy piece between S.T.A.R.T.  and CrossTraining/Soccer Chaplains United can be found in the agreement and arrangement between our two organizations which led to the formation of the “Timothy Project” program. The Timothy Project which, today is known simply as our Community Project program, allows short term mission groups to request soccer gear through an application grant process.

Again, we are thankful to have Wayne Pirmann working with us and once again partnering together in this Kingdom work. If you would like to reach out to Wayne  and learn more about biblical stewardship and ways that you can support the people and work of Soccer Chaplains United, please reach out to him at wayne@soccerchaplainsunited.org. And please join me in welcoming him!

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. Check out our Donate page for different giving options.

Highline Renews Partnership with Soccer Chaplains United

Highline Community Church (HCC) is partnering with Soccer Chaplains United again!

HCC, originally partnered with us from 2017 – 2020. At the time, HCC was the third church partner in our history. HCC provided monthly financial support during those years to help advance the work and mission of the ministry. Additionally, the church would feature the work and ministry of Soccer Chaplains United in its local missions moments — including a few Sunday morning introductions.

A few months ago, as I was anticipating some life changes for me and my family (namely high school graduation and needing an extra living space in our home), I spoke with Brian Gawf (Pastor of HCC) about whether the church might have an extra office that I might be able to use. We discussed some different ways that myself and the ministry could partner with the church in exchange for utilizing the space, and in the end, HCC was gracious and generous in offering a new space.

Located near I-25 and Orchard Road, the church is a little bit closer to the stadium for the work that I do with the Colorado Rapids. But more than that, the new space allows my family a little bit of breathing room as I have been had a home office for the last 7 years.

I am grateful for the space and opportunity to continue the work of Soccer Chaplains United in this new space. I pray that God blesses Highline ten times over for the ways that it is blessing and supporting Soccer Chaplains United and me.

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 — simply hit the donate link to go to our donate page for different giving options or PushPay button at the bottom of the page to make a tax-deductible, one-time or recurring gift.

Collaborating with Baylor’s Truett Seminary and the Faith Sport Institute

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For a number of years now, Soccer Chaplains United’s very own Benjamin Dudley has been collaborating, teaching, and contributing with his alma mater, Baylor University. The well-known, Division-I school in Waco, Texas is also home to the George W. Truett Theological Seminary. Amongst the seminary’s distinct theological and ministry-driven programs is the Faith and Sport Institute (FSI).

It’s exciting to see Truett recognizing sport and recreation as a field that is worth investing into. It’s an important space for developing Christian leaders and Christian thought in and around sport — the athletes, the coaches, and the fans. I’m proud that this is coming from my alma mater and I love serving with a diverse and ecumenical group that challenge the status quo of what people consider as ‘sports ministry.’ FSI is also raising the expectations and accountability of professionalism where sports ministry has generally lagged behind.

Ben Dudley, 1999 Baylor graduate and co-chaplain Portland Timbers

Courses that are part of FSI’s online certificate program have appeared on the radar for our chaplains. A number of chaplains have enrolled in online courses as they look to grow in their understanding and proficiency. Chaplain Jordan Medas and Gregory Aydt have both participated in continuing education offerings through FSI as part of their ongoing requirements.

Recently, Paul Putz, the Assistant Director of FSI, has been building a team of collaborators. The team is assisting the program with the build out of some additional courses to add that emphasize sports chaplaincy. A diverse group includes members of Athletes in Action, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and other ministry groups. There are also professional and former collegiate athletes headlining the FSI Collaboration Team.

For me, it’s a privilege to work to contribute to the furtherance of sports chaplaincy education and excellence with the FSI team. Today, sport has a more and more sacrosanct position in Western (and even global) culture. It is necessary and important for Christian people — especially ministers and chaplains — to work to understand and cultivate this space where many of God’s lost and lonely children reside.

I look forward to working more with FSI in the future. We will periodically share some updates from our friends like the one below.

Updates from our Friends with FSI

And Then, There Was One…

Last week saw more of the Major League Soccer (MLS) 2021 playoff picture come into focus. Ben Dudley and Troy Ready’s Portland Timbers took down my own Colorado Rapids on Thanksgiving Day. It was a heartbreaking loss as Colorado fans packed out the stadium in hopes of seeing the #1 seed in the West advance. But it wasn’t to be with a 90th minute scramble in the box and a Timbers team that displayed the urgency to come away with the win. Billy Cerveny’s Nashville SC took down Orlando City FC but fell in penalty kicks (2-0) on Sunday to the Philadelphia Union after a 1-1 draw.

Beyond following Portland, most teams will now scatter for the season. Some players and coaches may continue to stay in their respective cities, while many will return home to be with family across the U.S. and around the world. Front office staff will have lighter weeks but begin to promote next season which will start early due to World Cup and other soccer considerations. The MLS Next Academy teams will be playing in a number of tournaments throughout December and have a few weeks break before beginning again in January.

Please take a moment to pray for our chaplains as they continue to serve the athletes, coaches, and staff in the what remains of the season and into the offseason. Pray for rest and rejuvenation for the ministry to continuing serving these teams.

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. You can text soccerchaplains to (833) 245-5091 to link through your mobile device or simply click the PushPay Logo on the bottom of the page below.

Portland advance to the Western Conference Finals

Soccer Chaplains United Team’s Playoff Update

soccer stadium

Less than a month ago, a hefty majority of Soccer Chaplains United chaplains found that their teams were headed for playoffs in their perspective leagues. Hopes were high, but several teams stumbled in spite of achieving this pivotal milestone for a long season of soccer.

Of the teams that remain in the playoff hunt, Major League Soccer (MLS), Ben Dudley and Troy Ready’s Portland Timbers won against Minnesota United FC, 3-1. They will face my own Colorado Rapids this Thursday, on Thanksgiving Day in an MLS first — a national, televised match on Thanksgiving. Billy Cerveny’s Nashville SC play a home game this Tuesday night at 4:00 pm Eastern against Orlando City FC in a game televised on FS1 and Fox Deportes.

Below are the results of the other Soccer Chaplains United teams:

  • National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Portland Thorns lost in a semifinal against Chicago Red Stars, 2-0.
  • United Soccer League – Championship (USL-C)
    • El Paso Locomotive quarterfinal loss to Oakland Roots, 1-0.
    • Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC quarterfinal loss to Orange County Blues, 1-0.
    • Rio Grande Valley Toros FC upset #1 Phoenix Rising in penalty kicks 4-3 in their quarterfinal match, but then lost in the semifinals to San Antonio, 3-1.
    • Memphis 901 FC quarterfinal loss to Charlotte Independence, 3-1.
  • In Colorado High School Soccer, Valor Christian lost in the second round to Denver East, 1-0.

Please take a moment to pray for our chaplains as they serve the athletes, coaches, and staff in the what remains of the season and into the offseason. Pray for rest and rejuvenation for the ministry to continuing serving these teams.

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. You can text soccerchaplains to (833) 245-5091 to link through your mobile device or simply click the PushPay Logo on the bottom of the page below.

person holding green and white striped shirt

Playoffs at Fever Pitch with Soccer Chaplains United Chaplains

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crowd watching football game inside stadium

A number of results this past Wednesday night solidified the playoff destinies of teams where Soccer Chaplains United chaplains are serving.

In Major League Soccer, while my own Colorado Rapids lost to league-leading New England, Ben Dudley and Troy Ready’s Portland Timbers won 2-0 to clinch a spot. In the Eastern Conference Billy Cerveny’s Nashville SC won with a thrilling come-from-behind victory over Cincinnati to clinch a playoff place with a few games in the season remaining.

In the National Women’s League, Christina Garber’s Portland Thorns clinched the league shield (most points in the season) and will have the top seed for postseason play.

In the United Soccer League Championship, Soccer Chaplains United chaplains are serving six different teams. In the Mountain Division, with four teams, there will be a tense playoff battle which will either see Chaplain Isidro Piña’s Rio Grande Valley Toros or Clint Moore’s New Mexico United go through. Erick Jiménez’s El Paso Locomotive clinched the top division spot weeks ago and Kurt Trempert’s Colorado Springs Switchbacks recently secured a home playoff game. In the Pacific Division, Jubal McDaniel’s Tacoma Defiance are in striking distance, but need results to go their way and a win against division leader Phoenix, this weekend. Elsewhere, Greg Aydt’s Memphis 901 FC finally secured a spot with Wednesday night’s home victory.

On the college front, Kim Beach’s work with Trinity International University will see the last home game and senior night this weekend. TIU has stumbled a bit this season to a 3-13 record and with an ever-shifting landscape from the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kim’s work as chaplain will continue well into the offseason with the student athletes of TIU.

In High School, Greg Navitsky’s Valor Christian High School team advance out of the first round of the Colorado State High School playoffs with a 1-0 win over Doherty Wednesday night. Ryan Doyle’s boys team at Christ Presbyterian Academy play in the spring and Jordan Medas’ work in central Virginia is just getting going.

The extension of ministry due to the playoffs means that chaplains have more opportunities to serve and love and care for the athletes, coaches, staff, and families that they serve. More touch points and potentially some difficult places as teams flourish or fail — sometimes the failing places offering more space for a chaplain to represent God to people and to bring comfort in the midst of disappointment and loss.

Please keep our chaplains and their respective teams in your prayers.

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. You can text soccerchaplains to (833) 245-5091 to link through your mobile device or simply click the PushPay Logo on the bottom of the page below.

person holding green and white striped shirt

Cumbre Alta Compression

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It’s always great to get updates from the different trips and teams that Soccer Chaplains United has helped equip. I wanted to share an email update that came to me and Cory Jones comes from Nate Taube, along with a few photos.

Cumbre Alta team members pose

Good morning Brad and Cory, 
I just wanted to personally thank you for all the gear you sent down with Jason Rollins. Your generosity with Casa Deportiva Cumbre Alta is fantastic. As I’m sure Jason has told you, we are a small soccer club here in Quito. Our goal is to share Christ as we reach the highest levels of Ecuadorian soccer. We are able to do so because of people like you who continue to partner with us to provide a great experience for our players. 

Our players come from diverse backgrounds, but the majority come from low resourced homes. Whenever we are able to hand them a pair of cleats, a warm up top, shorts, whatever, their faces light up. We are able to tell them that we only do this to show Christ’s love. It just opens doors for us to continue to pour into them. And you guys are a part of that. So thank you. Thank you for your generosity.

Although not identified, we assume that Michael is here in the middle, wearing brand new compression shorts that were part of Soccer Chaplains United’s Community Project for Ecuador earlier this year.

I’m attaching a couple of pictures of the night after we had given away a bunch of the compression shorts you guys sent down. They guys LOVED them. The next day they all came to practice wearing all their new gear. Thrilled. We have a tall skinny player, Michael, whos legs really didn’t fit into the compression shorts, but he wore them with pride anyway. They wanted to get their picture taken showing up their new shorts and their (for some) non existent leg muscles! We had a blast.

Thank you for partnering with us. Thank you for caring about Cumbre Alta and the work we are doing here. Thank you. 
Nate Taube

It is always wonderful to hear these stories and see the gear and equipment that we send to the far reaches, be used to point people to Jesus Christ.

I want to encourage you to consider making a gift — for children like Michael and for leaders like Nate. When Soccer Chaplains United is able to send gear with short-term mission teams, it makes a huge difference! We do send used gear, but we also use a portion of every dollar to buy new soccer equipment — things like soccer balls, whistles, and certain youth sizes that we don’t normally receive. We also occasionally will help to pay shipping costs to get gear to teams and organizations.

You can give specifically to help cover our costs by making a gift through PushPay — simply select Community from the selectable funds.

Thanks for helping make a difference along with Soccer Chaplains United and these churches, schools, and short-term teams.

Coram Deo Fulfillment

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Perhaps one of the more difficult parts of our community work comes in the mundane task of sorting through donations. Often times, Soccer Chaplains United receives donations that are thrown together into plastic bags and cardboard boxes, it can take hours to sort and piece things together. And when we get a specific request, like we did from Matthew Hulst and Coram Deo, you end up holding your breath sometimes because you aren’t sure if you can match exactly what they are looking for. But what is amazing is to “pull” the request and see what God does.

Specifically, Hulst and co. asked for 4 different uniform sets — jerseys, shorts, socks, etc. And a few weeks ago when I pulled their request, there were some tense moments of counting and recounting and trying to match. The most awesome moments are when you can match uniform numbers on jerseys and shorts! Let me tell you it’s a lot of back-breaking, back-bending work, but it is worth it.

3 of 4 sets complete!

The sorting and organizing took an immense amount of time, but as I prayed and reflected and listened to music I found a bit of a God-conversation going on. “God, is this really what I ought to be doing with ___________?” I filled in the blank with a lot of different endings to that question: my time, my seminary degree, my family, and so on and so on.

There was one moment when I realized that the shorts and uniforms that I had already sorted and pulled could potentially have matching numbers. I debated for about 15 minutes if I should go back and spend the time to sort through and find them amongst the piles on my garage floor. And then, the thought came to me — I can’t say if it was a God-inspired thought (but it seemed so). “Wouldn’t it make someone’s day and wouldn’t it perhaps make the story of the gospel easier to show or tell if I just spend the extra time?”

Set 4! Let’s goooooo!

I know that when my family makes donations we usually throw things in a bag and imagine that someone else will sort it out and give it away as needed. To be honest, I don’t think much about it. But here, now, in the 50 degree garage on a cold, Colorado night — a little bit of a glimpse came into view. That is God values the recipients of these soccer shorts and jerseys, then so should I and because I am not going on the trip, the best way that I can serve them is to go a little bit of an extra mile to make it as special for them as I can.

So thank you for supporting Soccer Chaplains United. When you do, a portion of your gift automatically goes to help our community projects and requests. You can give specifically to help cover our costs by making a gift through PushPay — simply select Community from the selectable funds. Your financial gift helps us purchase new soccer equipment, sponsor individuals or organizations, and to cover associated costs of providing Bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!

Timothy Project: Valor Discovery Off To Guatemala

Timothy Project: Soccer Chaplains United team members had the joy this week to deliver soccer gear that will change lives forever. For the sixth year, Valor Discovery is sending a team of students to Zacapa, Guatemala.  Soccer Chaplains United has had the pleasure of supporting the team in the past and is pleased to do so again this year.

It was a beautiful spring afternoon as the teenagers sorted and organized the donations to be taken to Zacapa.  Rev Brad Kenney spoke words of encouragement and blessing to the team on a driveway that was overflowing with donations, new and used.  The generosity of the local community is moving.  The students will be able to touch many lives with the donations they gathered.

The role that Soccer Chaplains United is playing in this project will be measured in an entirely different way.  Through support given to the Timothy Project, we were able to purchase unique and rarely found evangelism soccer balls. Evangelism soccer balls tell the gospel through colors and images printed on the balls.

In addition to giving a box of eBalls to the team, Soccer Chaplains United gave several dozen traditional soccer balls, in sizes four and five.  We gave them cones to mark out a field or run games and drills.  We also gave them all the soccer cleats we had on hand.

May this team’s experience this summer be impactful to everyone they come in contact with, even one another. You can follow the team on their blog, by clicking here.

To support Timothy Project: Zacapa, Guatemala or future Timothy Project ventures please donate through PushPay — simply select Timothy Project from the selectable funds to contribute to. Your financial gift helps us purchase new soccer equipment, sponsor an individual or organization in an outreach effort, and to cover associated costs of providing Bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!

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