We just released a new video featuring a testimonial from Brian Shultz, Head Coach of Boys and Girls Soccer at Valor Christian High School. The video (visible here) gives a coach's perspective on the impact and effectiveness of a chaplain on a soccer program. I've worked with Valor for just about five seasons now. As a chaplain, I have seen just about everything happen in and to people within the community of those belonging to the soccer program at Valor. From divorce to death, from disciplinary issues and from team successes to team lows and everything in-between. Head Coach, Brian Shultz offers his own take here on the chaplaincy which has grown this past year. Soccer Chaplains United has a

Today, we pay homage to St Martin of Tours. St Martin is the patron saint of chaplaincy. His recognized feast day in the church is recognized on November 11. The English word 'chaplain' comes from Martin's life story. Martin, as a Roman soldier, one day was headed into the city of Amiens, France with his troops. On the side of the road, he saw a man shivering from the cold. Moved with compassion, Martin cut a piece of his cloak and offered it to the man as a covering from the cold. Later that night, in a dream, Jesus appeared to Martin. Martin, who is still but a catechumen, clothed me with this robe. The compelling words of Jesus encouraged

Sitting on a train headed north to my best friend's place in Glasgow, Scotland, I decided to message a former Colorado Rapids player and coach who is from Scotland. Me: Hey, headed to the motherland. Thinking of you! Hope you are well. Him: Where are you? Me: Glasgow, for the next few days. Him: Hey, my son just signed for Kilmarnock FC. You should ring him, he'd love to see you. What followed was one of the exciting parts of my job as a chaplain — the chance to see and encourage a former player. We arranged to get a coffee in downtown Glasgow. Together, we reflected on the previous year and the trials and tribulations and how far he

The past month of October has flown by for Soccer Chaplains United. An early October trip to Nashville, TN to scout out a team chaplain kicked off the start of Soccer Chaplains United's work in further developing chaplaincy in soccer. Nashville, TN Nashville SC begins play in the United Soccer League (USL) in 2018. With Head Coach Gary Smith currently working to form the team that will begin play in the U.S. second division of soccer, the opportunity exists to help the club place a chaplain from the beginning. Nashville, a city rising in prominence, has also risen in the eyes of Major League Soccer (MLS) and may soon discover if its bid to join the top flight has been accepted. I

I recently returned from a trip to the U.K. and conference with chaplains with Sports Chaplaincy UK. SCUK (formerly known as SCORE) was founded by Rev John Boyers who continues to serve as chaplains for Manchester United Football Club. In the last 10+ years, I have had occasion to attend conference with the football (soccer) chaplains a number of times. They have been forging ahead in post-Christian UK context for years now and have established a foundation of trust and pastoral care and support for many sports in the UK including both ability and disability sports. In my devotions for 10 October, my readings in Celtic Daily Prayer point to the life and work of St Ninian. Ninian, a British