• Russ Branham was born in Colusa, California in the Sacramento Valley and moved to Spokane as a youngster and has called it home ever since.  He attended the University of Idaho, graduating in 1994.  Russ was a college athlete and has 20+ years coaching wrestling and soccer at all levels from recreational to premier. Russ’s ministry education is from Westminster Theological Seminary where he is finishing up his Master of Arts in Counseling. Russ has attended numerous Christian Counseling and Education Foundation national programs with focus on a myriad of specialties including Trauma, Guilt and Shame, and Addiction as well as others. Russ married Lisa, his college sweetheart in 1996 and has five children.  He enjoys running, fly fishing, BBQ,

    Feb 12,
  • Ben was born and raised in Indianapolis and proudly reps the Midwest. Ben grew up playing soccer and quickly developed a passion for the game at a young age and continued playing competitively for various clubs and his high school team. Moving south, Ben attended Vanderbilt University and graduated in 2013 with a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies. There he developed his love for ministry through Young Life, serving as a leader for seven years. Ben played club soccer all 4 years and also volunteered with the high school soccer team at Overton High. After graduation he served as Assistant Youth Director for the High School Youth Group at Covenant Presbyterian in Nashville.  The US Men’s Team has

    Jan 24,
  • Robert Briggs is a native of Glasgow, Scotland and serves as Pastor at Immanuel Baptist Church in Sacramento, CA. He holds a ThM from Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. Robert, also known as "Briggsy," has served Sacramento Republic FC as volunteer chaplain since 2014. He joined Soccer Chaplains United in 2023. Prior to joining Immanuel Baptist, Robert worked in pastoral ministry in North Ireland from 1992-2003 before moving to Sacramento, CA. He also serves as a board member of 20schemes and for the Union Gospel Mission in Sacramento. Robert is married to Elaine and they have four children. In addition to playing soccer, Robert enjoys studying history, politics, and theology. He enjoys hiking, swimming, and cycling. He is a fan of Tottenham

    Oct 02,
  • E.J. Ruiz lives and works in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas. He is, currently, pastor at El Mesias United Methodist Church in Mission, Texas. He has served as youth pastor at the church prior to his appointment and also as a lay minister at El Buen Pastor in Edinburgh and also at a church in Kingsville, TX. EJ is a military veteran having served in the United States Army at Fort Bliss, TX where he was a sapper platoon leader and battalion engineer officer. He has experience as a hometown recruiter at University of Texas — Rio Grande Valley. He has spent time counseling and advising soldiers and originally joined the military with a strong interest in chaplaincy. EJ and

    Sep 20,
  • Jonathan, serves as volunteer chaplain for Chattanooga Football Club which plays in the NISA (National Independent Soccer Association) League, a position he has held since 2023. Jonathan's primary vocational work is serving as Senior Recruiter for Gateway Staffing and Recruiting.   Jonathan received his Masters of Divinity from Baylor University and spent a decade in vocational ministry in teaching and facility ministries before transitioning to serving in volunteer roles.  He enjoys chaplaincy work and walking with people and helping provide love, support, and care when it is needed.   Jonathan loves Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Ironman Triathlon, and mountain biking.  More than anything, he loves spending time with his wife Kirsten and his kids Jax, London, and Lucy.  Education BS, Radio and

    Apr 28,
  • Josh lives in Belle, WV just outside Charleston, the state capital. Josh currently serves as the Pastor at Covenant Church (PCA). He has been the Pastor at Covenant since 2018.  Josh spent 15 years teaching at high school, middle school and elementary schools. His most recent job was teaching as a Title 1 teacher, helping students struggling in reading and math.  Josh currently serves with Soccer Chaplains United in the West Virginia region as chaplain with several development opportunities.  Josh has coached basketball at the middle school, high school and college level. He currently coaches rec league soccer along with a middle school boys team. Josh and his wife, Jenn, have been married since 2003 and have 5 children —

    Feb 20,
  • Jordan Rivera is a volunteer co-chaplain serving New Mexico United in the United Soccer League — Championship, a second division professional soccer team based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He began serving in this role in early 2023. Jordan was born in Quito, Ecuador. For the grace of God, his parents and grandparents were involved in pastoral ministry, so he heard the Gospel from an early age and believed.  His love for soccer began when he was little, but it grew when he moved to Argentina, at the age of 10. After 3 years Jordan and his family moved back to Ecuador and he considered playing soccer  professionally as opportunities to play locally appeared; but God lead him in another way.  As

    Feb 03,
  • Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Phasellus id risus felis. Proin elit nulla, elementum sit amet diam rutrum, mollis venenatis felis. Nullam dapibus lacus justo, eget ullamcorper justo cursus ac. Aliquam lorem nulla, blandit id erat id, eleifend fermentum lorem. Suspendisse vitae nulla in dolor ultricies commodo eu congue arcu. Pellentesque et tincidunt tellus. Fusce commodo feugiat dictum. In hac habitasse platea dictumst. Morbi dignissim pellentesque ipsum, sed sollicitudin nulla ultricies in. Praesent eu mi sed massa sollicitudin bibendum in nec orci.

    Jun 08,
  • Clint has lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico since 2005 when he moved from Las Cruces (NMSU) after growing up in Clovis. After completing his Master’s of Science in Civil Engineering at University of New Mexico, Clint served as the Missions Director at Desert Springs Church in Albuquerque. Clint studied theology and ministry at Desert Springs and eventually was commissioned as Pastor over Missions and Community Groups in 2013. Clint is currently serving as an ordained Executive Pastor/Church Planter of Christ Church Albuquerque. Clint, his wife Joanna, and their two adopted sons, Ivan and Nico, love to play soccer and read the Bible together. They long to see friends and family, neighbors and the nations come to know and trust Jesus!

    Aug 10,
  • From the Touchline is a short-feature (usually 10 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director of Soccer Chaplains United and Volunteer Chaplain to the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer. Rev Brad and occasional guests touch on various issues around the topics of faith, family, and football (soccer).

    Nov 12,
  • Here is a list of all of our Community Projects and work that have happened in the country of El Salvador. Below are links to stories and updates on various projects.

    Oct 29,
  • Here is a list of all of our Community Projects and work that have happened in the country of Cambodia. Below are links to stories and updates on various projects.

    Jul 23,
  • Here is a list of all of our Community Projects and work that have happened in the country of Turkey. Below are links to stories and updates on various projects.

    Apr 30,
  • Here is a list of all of our Community Projects and work that have happened in the United States of America, State of Michigan. Below are links to stories and updates on various projects.

    Apr 30,
  • A long-time resident of Nashville, Ryan Doyle serves as chaplain to Christ Presbyterian Academy Boys Soccer, a position he has held since 2019. Doyle also currently serves as Pastor at Mercy Presbyterian Church, a church plant of the Nashville Presbytery. He is ordained with the Presbyterian Church of America (PCA).  A holder of an USSF "E" license, Doyle has coached soccer for 20 years (both at his alma mater Brentwood Academy and in his current situation at CPA), and played high level soccer from early childhood through his college days at Samford. He has coached soccer in various roles at Christ Presbyterian Academy since 2001, as well as being involved in teaching, leading worship, and directing spiritual life on campus at different points

    Jan 21,
  • Greg Aydt is Pastor of Youth Ministry at Advent Presbyterian Church in Memphis, TN. A native of South Jersey, Greg obtained his undergraduate degree from Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ. After getting married to Heather, they moved to Western Pennsylvania where Greg received his seminary degree from Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, PA.Much of Greg’s life has been at the intersection of soccer and Jesus. After playing soccer in high school, Greg decided to join a prison ministry soccer team. On the weekend, this team would travel to various prisons and share the Gospel around a soccer match with the inmates. As well, he became a soccer referee at the varsity level and participated in church soccer leagues as

    Nov 30,
  • Isidro Piña was born in Valle Hermoso, Tamaulipas, Mexico and has been married to Blanca since 1984.  Together they have two children and a grandson.  Isidro came to the United States at the age of 14 and lived in San Antonio, Texas until he took his first appointment as a United Methodist minister. Isidro received his call to ministry in 1988 but did not begin full-time ministry until 1991.  He graduated from Memorial High in San Antonio and received his undergrad from UT Pan American in Edinburg, Texas in 2004.  He went on to graduate school where he earned his MDiv from Southern Methodist University.  He is currently working on his Doctor of Ministry with an emphasis on Preaching and

    Apr 26,
  • Troy Ready serves as Chaplain to the Portland Timbers, a position he has held since 2014. He is licensed by the Evangelical Ministerial Association and has done extensive work overseas in and with soccer both in the Pacific Northwest and in Tajikistan. Troy is the current head coach of Warner Pacific University and was an assistant coach with the Portland Timbers U-23 PDL team for 5 years.Troy is a former professional soccer player. Playing collegiately for the University of Washington, Troy was the leading scorer and offensive MVP in 2003, leading the Huskies to the team's first Sweet Sixteen appearance in school history. He was the 1st round draft pick of the Seattle Sounders in 2004, and after attempting to

    Dec 15,
  • Soccer Chaplains United's community donations are an extension of our work with various soccer teams and our relationships with different churches, schools, and community organizations. Through our community work we connect soccer and faith communities in meaningful service projects that go well beyond the teams that we serve — even to the ends of the earth.If you are interested in requesting or donating gear please contact us at info@soccerchaplainsunited.org.Click a flag below to see what projects have happened in that country or state (U.S.) or scroll down to see our different projects year over year.

    Jul 21,
  • Kurt Trempert was born and raised as a missionary kid in Quito, Ecuador. Upon graduation from high school he headed off to Toccoa Falls Bible College in northeastern Georgia where he played soccer and prepared for the ministry. After two years at Toccoa, Kurt drove across the country and transferred to Simpson Bible College in California. There he continued to play soccer and prepare for pastoral ministry. While at Simpson College, Kurt met his future wife whom he married after graduation in 1991. They have 3 children. Kurt has coached all of his children as they all share Kurt’s passion for the game of soccer. One of Kurt’s greatest joys is playing soccer with his children and their friends. Kurt

    Jul 14,
  • The Rev Dr. Ricardo "Ricky" Orellana helps with the spiritual and pastoral care of the Spanish-speaking players and staff. His duties include translation for Soccer Chaplains United chaplains and counselors. Ricardo was born in the small town of Los Andes in the fifth region of the central part of Chile. His parents and grandparents were both farmers and he is the first from his family to leave the farm, enter university and become a professional. Originally from a Roman Catholic family, Ricardo accepted the Lord as his personal Savior when he was 14 years old and became a member of the National Presbyterian Church of Chile. Ricardo studied mechanical engineering at Valparaiso Catholic University earning a bachelor’s degree whilst also

    Jul 14,
  • The Rev. Cesar M. Duran is a native of Mexico, ordained as an elder in the Methodist Church of Mexico in 1995 and has pastored churches in Mexico for 13 years. He holds a Bachelor's of Theology degree from Seminario Juan Wesley in Monterrey, Mexico, and a Master of Divinity degree from Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado.Duran is an Ordained Pastor with the United Methodist Church.“I began to serve God when I was a child in my home church,” Cesar says. “Then I served God in the district and conference as a youth leader. In one of the trainings, God called me to the ministry. I clearly heard the call of God but I refused to listen. After a lot of struggle, I

    Jul 14,
  • Chaplaincy Development Since 2002, Soccer Chaplains United has offered chaplaincy services in Major League Soccer. Since then we've expanded to offer an integrated, team-approach which seeks to develop chaplaincy at all levels of the game. Our primary aim is to offer appropriate spiritual and pastoral care and support to individuals within the soccer community — whether someone is an athlete, coach, official, team executive or staff member, alumni, family member or simply a fan. Soccer Chaplains United chaplaincy seeks to offer holistic care.  There are two, typical ways that a chaplaincy placement happens — either an opportunity with a particular team or organization presents itself or an individual with an interest in becoming a chaplain. We outline both processes below.

    Jul 14,
  • A native of Denver, CO, Brad grew up in Arizona and Michigan, before retuning to his native Colorado. He is a graduate of the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL. After a brief stint trying to break into the film industry, he returned to Colorado and began working at a television station. He later began working for the Colorado Rapids as a Public/Media Relations Assistant and then as the interim Public/Media Relations Director. It was during this time that Brad felt called to enter into full-time vocational ministry. He resigned from the Rapids to attend Denver Seminary in 2001. His first day of classes was on the infamous 9/11.Six months into seminary, God opened the door for Brad to return to

    Jun 28,
  • Questions? Need support? Please send us an email and we will respond quickly. Email us

    Jun 09,
  • Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Phasellus id risus felis. Proin elit nulla, elementum sit amet diam rutrum, mollis venenatis felis. Nullam dapibus lacus justo, eget ullamcorper justo cursus ac. Aliquam lorem nulla, blandit id erat id, eleifend fermentum lorem. Suspendisse vitae nulla in dolor ultricies commodo eu congue arcu. Pellentesque et tincidunt tellus. Fusce commodo feugiat dictum. In hac habitasse platea dictumst. Morbi dignissim pellentesque ipsum, sed sollicitudin nulla ultricies in. Praesent eu mi sed massa sollicitudin bibendum in nec orci.

    Jun 09,
  • The Valor Guatemala Discovery Team returned a number of weeks ago from their immersion trip and shared a number of photos and videos with us from their time in Guatemala. If you take the time to read the blog and the short snippets below and to look at the pictures, you will see the goodness of God on the smiles and faces of the Valor team and the people of Zacapa. I wanted to also say, that as the father of four daughters, it really is powerful to see girls being valued and the way in which a uniform or a shirt can bring smile and joy when offered as an unconditional gift from even a complete stranger. With as

    Feb 17,
  • The Valor Christian High School team which recently (Dec 26, 2021) went down to Guatemala has some updates to share about how their trip, their community service work, and their times of witness are going. To read more, from the student's perspective, follow this link. Annika plays soccer with a brand new, pink soccer ball from Soccer Chaplains United's Community Project and makes some new friends. I played soccer with a lot of them and the kids were having a great time. I also got to jump rope and dance with a lot of the girls. I made a connection with a girl named Gracie. I had braids in my hair and most of the girls want us to braid

    Jan 06,
  • This December 26th, a team of 19 high school students from Valor Christian High School will travel to Guatemala for 16 days. The team will spend a majority of ministry time working with the community that lives around the city dump in Zacapa, Guatemala. Children in Guatemala play with a makeshift goal Soccer will be a significant part of the team's ministry as they hold soccer camps and outreach projects in the community. With all that has gone on in the pas couple of years, this community has great need and not only does the Valor team hope to provide ministry to them while there, but also leave behind some gear that would enrich their lives. Other projects include building

    Nov 18,
  • Valor High School senior, Class of 2019, Colin Kemp spent the month of June in Guatemala with a team of his school peers and a few teachers and mentors.  Kemp shares about the trip from his perspective in this post. The first two weeks in Atitlán were harder than any of us ever thought they would be. We launched our trip by studying for six hours in a Spanish school every day, 1 on 1 with a teacher.  We also empathized with the local residents after a volcano eruption changed the village, and even took the lives of many families.  We struggled not knowing what to say or do to show them how we cared and were there for them

    Aug 16,
  • 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

    May 24,

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