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Trempert Sees Out 9 Years with Switchbacks

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Chaplain and Pastor, Kurt Trempert, is “hanging up the boots” of soccer chaplaincy after serving the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC for the last nine seasons. Kurt, pastor of HarvestDowntown, is a leader in the Christian and Missionary Alliance denomination. This move comes as he accepts a bigger role in helping lead the church in the local district. The MidAmerica District of the C&MA covers a geographical region of five states, including Colorado. Kurt will take on a new role of Assistant to the District Superintendent, where he will work to help as a “3D (Discover, Develop, Deploy) Catalyst for Ministry Leadership.” I asked Kurt what he will miss most about leaving the Switchbacks chaplaincy,

I will miss the opportunity to be in the locker room with the lads as one who can be trusted with the highs and lows of sport and life. I have become close friends with the club president and will miss our conversations together. As a whole, this has been an incredible ministry experience that has given me influence in places like Ghanaian Footballers for Christ, players in Turkey, Cameroon, Canada, El Salvador, and all across the U.S. Along the way, I have been invited into difficult conversations and joyful ones.

Kurt, on leaving Switchbacks

Kurt began working with the Switchbacks in 2015. He was the first chaplain placement outside of Ben Dudley (Timbers) and the team working with the Colorado Rapids. Kurt joined while we were still known as CrossTraining Ministries. He was also our first chaplain placed in what, today, is known as the United Soccer League — Championship. USL-C represents the second division of professional soccer in the United States.

What a privilege it has been to journey with players into retirement (both forced and desired), as well meaningful conversations about marriage, abortion, and suicide. I have grown in compassion, kindness, and mercy with each relationship . Thanks Brad for inviting me into this incredible ministry, and I pray that the next chaplain with the Switchbacks will have even greater impact and experiences demonstrating and declaring the love of Jesus.

Kurt, on the privilege of serving the past 9 years

Kurt’s move to the MidAmerica District offices in Omaha, NE will leave a vacancy that Soccer Chaplains United is already looking to fill. While it will be tremendously difficult to find someone of Kurt’s personality and character, we look forward to the challenge.

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. Our chaplains are not employed or paid by any of the clubs that we serve. Check out our Donation Page with all the different options. Or, simply click the PushPay link below to make a secure, online, tax-deductible gift, or mail a donation to Soccer Chaplains United, PO Box 102081, Denver, CO 80250.

What’s In a Name?

I recently shared with some friends the evolution of Soccer Chaplains United. When I was getting started with the volunteer chaplaincy withe the Colorado Rapids in 2002, I wanted to have something that would help craft vision and mission guide and guardrails. I was reading I Timothy 4:8 — Physical training is of some value, but godliness (or spiritual training) has value for this life and the life to come. That’s it! I declared. We need to be cross-trained. We need to have physical and spiritual training balance.

For me, when I looked at the athletes and others I was working with in soccer, I could see an imbalance — the physical was accentuated and had all the time and attention. The spiritual parts of a person were often left, minimally, underdeveloped. So, with I Timothy 4:8 as a scriptural foundation and the concept of crosstraining (at the time a fairly modern concept of training different aspects and parts of the body to achieve better overall fitness and health) became the ministry name and moniker — CrossTraining.

In 2005, we filed our first non-profit documents with the State of Colorado. We were on our way!

And it worked, for a while.

In 2012, we applied for our 501(c)3. The IRS messed up the way that we spelled and put the word together (but that was ok, to be honest). Cross Training Ministries. We formalized a board, and after the non-profit scandals of 2012/2013 delayed our filing by some 8 months or so we finally received that letter that so many non-profits cherish — we were a bonafide 501(c)3.

Soon after achieving our non-profit status, there was a shift. I am not sure where or how exactly, but things started changing. As an organization we were having a lot of talks — we wanted to be transparent and relevant and connect with the people we were trying to serve. In 2014, friend and chaplain, Ben Dudley shared how the CrossTraining name was confusing and didn’t fit culturally within the context he was working to serve in. The next few years, there was a continuing, growing edge to explaining “CrossTraining is actually a chaplaincy ministry to soccer.”

Things came to a head in 2016. I was sitting with friend and then-chaplain for Queens Park Rangers, Rev. Bob Mayo, atop the castle wall in York, England having a coffee. We had known each other for several years and I was sharing with him about the recent growth with CrossTraining.

So CrossTraining, is this like a Christian CrossFit group?

Rev Bob Mayo, 2016 in York, England

The little Ben Dudley who sometimes resides on my shoulder was whispering, “See?” I rolled my eyes and tried explaining once more what CrossTraining was. But now with the craze of CrossFit sweeping the globe, it was a lost cause.

Back in my room at York St John University where the Inaugural Global Congress on Sport and Christianity was being hosted (and I was leading a session), I prayed, Lord, I think it’s time for a name change. To be honest, I think He had been trying to tell me this for sometime — but it was in that August of 2016 that the wheels started to turn.

The reminder of 2016 was a couple of meetings with a branding consultant and talking with our chaplains at the time. We knew that Soccer and Chaplain needed to be in the name. One of our chaplains, Kurt Trempert, advised that we have a three part name. What would be our last puzzle piece? Well, we did what any good group does, we surveyed a select group of folks — from donors, to athletes, to chaplains, and others.

Kurt Trempert at the 2017 launch

Federation? Association? Consolidation? Consortium? Corporation? No joke — we put a lot out on the table.

UNITED

In the original survey that went out to folks united came in a stealthy 3rd place. But the more we talked about other options — they seemed sterile, distant, uninspiring.

Being a Manchester United fan, I didn’t want to default or look like a bandwagoning, brand/identity thief. But United was emerging as the truly the last piece to the puzzle.

United: because we all come from different Christian faith traditions.

United: because we all had various experiences with soccer.

United: because we all agreed that chaplaincy ought to be done a certain way — with certain integrity and methods of caring and serving.

And so, in 2017, we rebranded as Soccer Chaplains United.

The unveiling of the new name and logo at our 2017 launch party.

The decision of myself and the board at the time was to simply change the name in a Doing Business As (DBA) format. We still kept getting offers, inquires, and opportunities from time to time for different types of chaplaincy (different sports) and we thought that maybe keeping CrossTraining as the umbrella might be prudent. But as time has gone on, we have become more and more laser focused. Soccer is who and what we are about.

And so, today, in a filing with the Secretary of State of Colorado. We finally say goodbye to CrossTraining Ministries and move forward into a new time forward with Soccer Chaplains United.

We are thankful to God and the many gracious donors who have journeyed with us along the way!

Soccer Chaplains United is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that relies on the generous support of individual donors and church partners to carry out its work of chaplaincy and counseling in soccer.

You can give a safe, secure, electronic, tax-deductible gift via PushPay by clicking the button below or by texting soccerchaplains to 77977. You can also mail a donation to Soccer Chaplains United, PO Box 102081, Denver, CO 80250.

Cody Baker To Step Away After 5 Years

Unfortunately, this season will see the end of Cody Baker serving as a counselor with Soccer Chaplains United. Cody, has been there from the beginning with us and was an integral part of our organization growing. He has served well and really helped us, especially in the early years and through the transition from CrossTraining to Soccer Chaplains United.

I’d like to personally thank Cody for the contributions he has made over the years — including putting up with me and working hard to figure out how we can integrate chaplaincy and counseling service for a soccer team!

In recent months, Cody has been feeling a draw and call away from private practice and into helping young people in the school setting. Additional studies at Denver Seminary and an internship at a local elementary school have helped cultivate some of what Cody has been sensing might be a change.

I told Cody, the door’s wide open to return should it be something he wants to consider in the future. The beauty and challenge of growing a network and organization is sometimes saying goodbye, even good goodbyes.

Along with the distinction of being the first counselor to serve with Soccer Chaplains United, Cody also provide support for the Board of Directors conducting a personality and group profile as well as servicing athletes, coaches, staff, and family members connected to the Colorado Rapids and others within the soccer community. With Cody, we came up with some of the current structure that is part of our counseling network including free consultations and income-based sliding scale fees for those who needed help.

Cody will continue to coach at Arapahoe High School and stay involved in the soccer community. He and wife, Heather, are expecting to welcome another daughter early next year.

Soccer Chaplains United is always looking to grow and add chaplains and counselors to its group to serve all levels of soccer. If you or someone you know might be an interested and qualified candidate, please email us at info@soccerchaplainsunited.org.

Timothy Project: Future of Timothy Project In Light Of Re-Branding

CrossTraining Timothy ProjectTimothy Project: Future of Timothy Project In Light Of Re-Branding.  Big changes are on the very near horizon for CrossTraining.  Since the inception of CrossTraining 16 years ago much has changed in the world of athletics; especially with small, boutique fitness centers that are sprinkled all over our communities.  It has become apparent that CrossTraining’s identity is fading into the abyss of the CrossFit phenomenon.

Upon this realization, Executive Director Brad Kenney made the decision to rebrand, remarket and reposition CrossTraining into a more accurate space within Major League Soccer.  The new name, logo and vision statement will better identify the ministry and all that falls underneath its umbrella of services.

The future of Timothy Project also has exciting changes in the works.  Not only is Timothy Project being protected with the new brand but there are plans in the works to expand Timothy Project’s impact.  Currently, Timothy Project touches lives internationally.  Local teams take soccer gear across continents to the far corners of our world.  In the future, we are hoping to expand Timothy Project’s reach to our surrounding soccer communities.

As CrossTraining fulfills its new vision, Timothy Project will expand into places it has never gone before.  Just as Timothy Project has cared for thousands across the globe with soccer gear, clothing and soccer supplies the future will be caring for our immediate community in ways only possible when in immediate proximity.

During the ReBrand Launch Party to be hosted at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park Timothy Project will be highlighted and the future hopes and dreams of the ministry will be laid out for all to see.

To support future Timothy Project ventures, please use the Donate button to make a secure PayPal donation. Your financial gift helps to secure additional equipment, sponsor a missionary 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!

#TPT

Timothy Project: Year To Date Project Award Recipients In Pictures

CrossTraining Timothy Project

Timothy Project: Year To Date Project Award Recipients Summary In Pictures.

This summation in photographs are of the project award recipients and the gear they were able to take with them. In these photographs you’ll see a few of those to whom the gear was donated, you’ll see some pictures of the gospel going forth, you’ll see the gift of playing a sport that has no language barrier so both the gringo and the native play together and you’ll see bridges being built.

Thus far in 2017 CrossTraining’s Timothy Project has partnered with seven different teams who have crossed outside of USA and into countries all over the world.  These teams consist of teenagers, coaches, some curious sojourners, some seasoned travelers and some novice.  Some are athletes who love the sport and some not so much.  But all of them have gratefully taken the gear donated by the Rapids organization and lovingly and carefully redistributed it to those who will probably never get to see a Rapids game played.

 

Valor Christian High School – Costa Rica

Liberian Institute for Empowerment

Colorado Springs Christian Schools with Inca Link

Valor Christian High School – Kenya

Mountain Springs Church & Beyond Survival – Swaziland

Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church – Uganda

Nuevo Tantoan, Mexico – Los Burritos

This is a series of photographs showing soccer gear donations, locations, and organizations but the stories behind all of it are why the Timothy Project continues.  There is a greater purpose of just moving donations from storage boxes to the world, out of America and into the world and that is why the Timothy Project exists.  Join us, will you?

To support future Timothy Project ventures, please use the Donate button to make a secure PayPal donation. Your financial gift helps to secure additional equipment, sponsor a missionary 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!

#TPT

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Timothy Project: Year To Date Project Award Recipients 2017 – an editorial

CrossTraining Timothy Project

Timothy Project: Year To Date Project Award Recipients Summary 2017 – an editorial.

I joined the CrossTraining team February 1 with little knowledge of the professional soccer industry.  While soccer filled large amounts of my weekly schedule, it was barely a hint at the caliber of Major League Soccer.  My soccer experiences included sitting in comfy folding chairs on the sidelines while visiting with other soccer moms, growing relationships and evaluating how our sons were progressing through the season.

I had gleaned insights and perspectives from Chaplain Brad Kenney over time as he shared about CrossTraining, the Rapids and his passion for chaplaincy.  Those gleanings did not leave me star struck with famous players or a Rapids super-fan but instead moved my heart toward the undercurrents of CrossTraining’s purpose.  I was enthralled with the mission of CrossTraining.  My teen years provided large amounts of exposure and involvement with professional athletes through my father’s business.  But the angles are different, then it was business, financial; here it is empathy, support, love.  Both focused on the individual player but for different purposes.

I was asked to join as the Timothy Project Coordinator.  The Timothy Project is the piece of CrossTraining that takes the ‘stuff’ of the MLS and spreads it throughout the world as gifts of blessings.  Since February I have had the joy of watching immense amounts of soccer gear move from CrossTraining headquarters to far corners of our world.

Thus far in 2017 CrossTraining’s Timothy Project has partnered with seven different teams who have crossed outside of USA and into countries all over the world.  These teams consist of teenagers, coaches, some curious sojourners, some seasoned travelers and some novice.  Some are athletes who love the sport and some not so much.  But all of them have gratefully taken the gear donated by the Rapids organization and lovingly and carefully redistributed it to those who will probably never get to see a Rapids game played.

This is a summation of the project award recipients and the gear they were able to take with them.

This is a list of soccer gear, locations, and organizations but the stories behind all of it are why the Timothy Project continues.  There is a greater purpose of just moving donations from storage boxes to the world, out of America and into the world and that is why the Timothy Project exists.  Join us, will you?

To support future Timothy Project ventures, please use the Donate button to make a secure PayPal donation. Your financial gift helps to secure additional equipment, sponsor a missionary 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!

#TPT

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Timothy Project: Swaziland 2017 Final Update

CrossTraining Timothy Project

CrossTraining’s Timothy Project: The Mountain Springs Church team that traveled to Swaziland this month delivered support and encouragement to Coach Xolani Moyo and his soccer players in more ways than one.

This  Timothy Project post is best told in pictures and thoughts shared by the team themselves.

“Xolani has a clear passion and vision for his sports ministry, Adventures in Missions.  His excitement is contagious.  Having the equipment (Timothy Project donations), especially the balls and jerseys, allowed him to better lead young men, and I can clearly see how the equipment allows Xolani’s sports ministry to be even more effective in changing the lives of young men in Swaziland.” shares one team member.

“Xolani’s sports ministry is establishing pride and leading young men in Swaziland, and the donation of sports equipment from The Timothy Project assisted Xolani with his mission.” says another team member.

Jones lead the team’s devotions for the day. He said, “During the practice, I was able to share from Romans 13:14, encouraging the young men to “Clothe themselves with the Lord Jesus Christ…”  As the jerseys set them apart from the other team on the pitch, Jesus should set us apart from the world on AND off the pitch.”

Rick Clapp, founder and director of Beyond Survival, said as they came toward the end of the trip “Our hearts are full and heavy at the same time.  We are exhausted, yet refreshed.  We are poured out, yet overflowing.”

To support future Timothy Project ventures, such as Timothy Project: Swaziland 2017, please use the Donate Now link to make a secure PayPal donation. Your financial gift helps to secure additional equipment, sponsor a missionary 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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Timothy Project: CSCS Ecuador 2017 Final Update

CrossTraining Timothy ProjectTimothy Project: CSCS Ecuador 2017 is pleased to report the Colorado Spring Christian School (CSCS) Ecuador mission team returned home filled with great stories and memories to share.

Jason Rollins, CSCS’s Athletic Director and soccer coach, wrote to CrossTraining sharing few of the experiences the team had.

“Our time was fantastic and the whole team had a great trip!  

We had the opportunity to pass out the pull overs to each of the players on the Cumbre Alta team. Numerous players on the team struggle to even get to practices and games because they cannot afford the 25 cent bus ride, so the pull overs were a very special gift for them. In fact, 3 days after we passed out the pull overs we were driving around town and saw one of the players walking along the street with his pull over on…so they were definitely a hit!
The girls Cumbre Alta team chose to pass them out to the girls as a reward/prize. They’ve struggled with consistency with attendance so they used the pull overs as an incentive…and with the girls team it was also a special thing to pass out.
We gave some of the soccer balls to a French after school program in a very poor community and also gave a couple soccer balls to some kids we connected with on a dirt field close to where we stayed. These kids were in heaven!
I gave the dvd’s with testimonies to the coaches so they could hand them out at appropriate times.
Thank you again for your donations. It was a blessing for us to be able to give them away!”

If you would like to make a contribution to future projects like these please note Timothy Project in your donation. Please use the Donate button to make a secure, online donation either using PayPal or a credit card. Your financial gift helps to secure additional equipment, sponsor a missionary 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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Timothy Project: CSCS Ecuador 2017 Update

CrossTraining Timothy Project Logo PrimaryA reminder that the team from Colorado Springs Christian Schools (CSCS) and recipient of the Timothy Project: CSCS Ecuador 2017 update is headed out! You can follow the team and their trip by clicking here.

CrossTraining, through the Timothy Project, was able to provide:

  • 30 soccer balls
  • a ball bag
  • approx. 80 jersey/half-zip pullovers
  • cones
  • water bottles and carriers
  • 80 The Prize DVDs

Rev Brad Kenney, CrossTraining Executive Director shared about some of the exciting ways that God had pulled some of the items for the project together,

It was interesting because Coach [Jason] Rollins had requested water bottles and carriers and we don’t normally get those types of things. We weren’t sure that we would have enough funds to purchase those along with the soccer balls. But the week after we started praying about this project, the Colorado Rapids athletic trainer took me to a room in the stadium and said, ‘Can you do anything with these?’ The room was half full with coolers and water bottles from the past season that were just sitting there. It is a great reminder of how good God is and how in His kingdom — He lets nothing go to waste.

Rev Kenney and Colorado Springs Switchbacks Chaplain, Kurt Trempert, were both on hand to deliver the Timothy Project items and to pray over the team and gear. Trempert, who grew up in Quito and coaches the girls soccer team at CSCS prayed in English and Spanish for the team. He shared,

You all know that Ecuador is very close to my heart and I am excited that you get to go and be the hands and feet of Jesus to the people there.

Please keep the team in your prayers as they travel and minister and serve.

If you would like to make a contribution to future projects like these please note Timothy Project in your donation. Please use the Donate button to make a secure, online donation either using PayPal or a credit card. Your financial gift helps to secure additional equipment, sponsor a missionary 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!

#TPT

 

Timothy Project: CCPC Uganda 2017

CrossTraining Timothy ProjectThe Timothy Project: CCPC Uganda 2017 trip will see a team of adults and students from CrossTraining’s  partner church, Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church head to Kampala, Uganda for a couple weeks of ministry. . The team consisting of adult leaders and students, will over two weeks, serve in a number of ways. From school visits and participating in school ministry, to partnering with and hearing stories from Youth For Christ leaders, to visiting with pregnant teenagers at the Mirembe House.

Timothy Project: CCPC Uganda 2017

The Mirembe House will be one place of ministry

The team will also have a day of soccer ministry, playing with the street kids of Kampala and also work on a service project in Gulu with a safari experience at the end of the trip. CCPC has made a regular trip of going to Uganda and also utilized the Timothy Project when a team went in 2015. New to the team for this year is Cameron Bristol, who shared his excitement about the trip,

I personally have heard great things from the people who have gone on past trips with the church and am incredibly excited to experience it myself – getting to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ and hopefully bringing a peace of it back into my own community.

Timothy Project: CCPC Uganda 2017

Street kids in Kampala are excited to receive brand new jerseys after playing with the CCPC team in 2015.

As a supporting partner church with CrossTraining, CCPC has requested via the Timothy Project to take a number of jerseys and soccer balls so that they can hand out to the street kids on the day they hold soccer ministry. The team leaves June 2o and returns in early July. Supporters are encouraged to pray for the team as they travel and minister and serve.

To support future Timothy Project ventures, such as Timothy Project: CCPC Uganda 2017, please use the Donate button to make a secure PayPal donation. Your financial gift helps to secure additional equipment, sponsor a missionary 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!

#TPT

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