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?

While professional soccer has already returned in the United States and around the world, there is still a massive impact from the novel Coronavirus which has different parts of the country and the world in different stages of reaction and response. Social distancing in one place but wide-open, no restrictions in another, means that finding common ground is difficult. The global pandemic has affected the stock market and global and local economies for months — and businesses and non-profits have felt the effects to varying degrees. So, too with Soccer Chaplains United. Unfortunately, second quarter for us saw a 25% giving decline from the same time last year. In addition, Soccer Chaplains United lost a key donor to start the

It's that time of year for Soccer Chaplains United. I start taking off the chaplain hat (not really, as I have a lot of appointments and loose ends to tie up, but you'll see) and I put more of the organizational needs onto my immediate attention. Fundraising and development best happen in this time and space when the season of serving and ministering as chaplain slow down. Yes, there are still the emerging issues that will come from the Developmental Academy and the occasional meeting with a First-Team Rapids player, coach, or staff member to offer support. This year is a bit special as I've been asked to officiate a player's wedding in December. Of the organizational and developmental needs