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McDaniel Has Heart for Heartwood, Resigns Defiance Chaplaincy

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Jubal McDaniel has tendered his resignation from his volunteer chaplain role with the Tacoma Defiance and from Soccer Chaplains United. Jubal began serving the Defiance in 2020. The last 6 seasons have watched him grow the ministry toward the team and community in some really neat and exciting ways. 

Jubal not only served as volunteer chaplain to the Defiance, but also played other key roles in the community and for Soccer Chaplains United. He had a direct hand in getting soccer gear for three different community projects including two project in Spokane, WA with Community First in 2024 and 2022 which did work and ministry with refugee resettlement families. Another project in 2023 saw Wilderness Church working with an orphanage in Mexico.

In addition to the Community Projects, Jubal was also key in seeing the placement and support of several new chaplains to Soccer Chaplains United. His additional volunteer work as the West Coast Chaplain Coordinator for Soccer Chaplains United since late 2023 saw him play a key role in helping bring chaplaincy to Ballard FC via Gavin Brand, Spokane Velocity with Russell Branham, Spokane Zephyr FC with Amy Miller, and Central Valley Fuego FC with Geraud Brumfield. He also introduced Tiago Souza to us who helped with Portuguese translation of our 2022 World Cup Devotional.

But more so than all of the above, Jubal had a deep love and care for the athletes, coaches, and staff that he supported through his time with Tacoma Defiance. Some of my favorite stories include him getting a keyboard for an athlete who loved playing piano. Or, the one time he helped get a bicycle for an athlete who was new to Tacoma. Oftentimes, Jubal could be found coordinating with training staff and bringing out electrolyte pops on a warm summer Washington day. Or, simply celebrating someone’s birthday in a meaningful way.

It has been a tremendous five years of serving the Tacoma Defiance and its people. It’s incredible to think back over where I’ve come from, but also to serve in a time where the club underwent some significant growth and changes of its own. It has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I am so thankful for the opportunity…It is extremely hard to say goodbye, but I believe it is what’s best for myself, my family, the club, and the people I care for.

-Jubal, on his final farewell

Last fall, Jubal stepped into a new role leading the restart and revitalization of a church in Covington, WA. His duties now include oversight of a decent size building, a growing congregation, two part-time staff members and several community partnerships. This work and his responsibilities continue to grow, leaving him with less time and capacity to serve the Tacoma Defiance in the way he feels is best for the team.

Bless you in this new endeavor, Jubal. Thanks for all that you’ve done for Tacoma Defiance and for Soccer Chaplains United over the years!

Tiago Ends Time with Soccer Chaplains United

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I met Tiago Souza when Jubal McDaniel introduced him into Soccer Chaplains United in 2022. Jubal had a vision to have Tiago help with our Portuguese speaking needs, and Tiago really stepped up in a massive way. Tiago joined us in May of 2022 and it was later that year that we decided to publish our first devotional book for the World Cup that was happening in November with the World Cup taking place in Qatar.

From left to right: I (Brad) stand with college buddy Tim Rogers, Tiago Souza, and Jubal McDaniel at a Tacoma Defiance match in 2022.

Tiago, single-handedly translated our 80-page devotional, The Light is Coming, from English into Portuguese. Additionally, Tiago has been available to help serve and translate several written and audio prayers and other kinds of messages as our chaplains communicated with Portuguese-speaking athletes, coaches, and staff.

Tiago recently married this summer and his time and current stage of life has him looking at other investments and interests with his personal ministry time.

I am thankful for Tiago’s wisdom and his willingness to learn. He was flexible and gracious with many of the redirections that we experienced during his time with us. I admire his deep love for people ability to ask deep, thoughtful questions and his sense of humor.

– Jubal, on Tiago as part of Soccer Chaplains United

We are thankful for Tiago and wish him well for this next chapter and stage of life!

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. Click the link below to make a gift or check out our Donate page for different giving options.

Amy Miller a First for Spokane Zephyr FC

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The Spokane Zephyr FC represents a number of firsts—one of the first members of the new women’s Division 1 professional soccer league. The first professional women’s team in the city of Spokane. And one of the first professional soccer teams to adopt a European style of season scheduling (fall and spring). Amongst the many firsts, Amy Miller, will serve as the first volunteer chaplain to support the Zephyr FC staff and players.

Amy is the Adult Ministries Pastor at Spokane’s Church, Spokane after spending years working at another local church. Originally from Arizona, Amy has come to call Spokane home. Moving to the city in 1986 and finding her husband and a dream job of leading a team of worshippers and creatives in the church, she considers herself blessed to have come to the Pacific Northwest.

In the scope of her work with the church, part of her passion and desire centers on holding space for young people and working to help them with some of their most unique and important challenges.

I contend the greatest human need is ‘to be seen and to be known.’ I believe one of the greatest gifts we can give to people of this day and age is to allow them to be ‘in process’ and come alongside them.

Amy, on her pastoral approach with people

Amy has 4 children, 2 biological and 2 adopted from Ethiopia. Her husband died during 2020 after 34 years of marriage. As a widow, Amy has pursued the continual work of grieving the loss but celebrating a hope-filled future and sharing with others when they are faced with similar pains and losses in life.

Amy came to learn of the opportunity with Zephyr FC after a player approached her after church on Sunday. “I’d like you to be my chaplain,” she shared. That has led Amy on a journey of discovery and finding the work of Soccer Chaplains United and the larger extensions and expressions of soccer ministry that exist across the various professional leagues.

I feel really honored to be invited into the opportunity to serve the team and invited in to be part of a group like Soccer Chaplains United where I can learn and grow in serving the people at this club.

Amy, on her thoughts on joining Soccer Chaplains United and Spokane Zephyr FC

Amy joins Russell Branham who began serving Spokane Velocity earlier this year. Russell and Amy will receive additional coaching and support from Jubal McDaniel who serves additionally as the Pacific Chaplain Manager for Soccer Chaplains United.

I am excited for Amy to join Soccer Chaplains United and begin building a presence of chaplaincy in the USL Super League. Her unique level of experience in ministry and life will prove extremely valuable for the people in her care as well as for us as fellow chaplains. 

Jubal, on Amy joining Zephyr FC and Soccer Chaplains United

Soccer Chaplains United is excited by the opportunity to continue building out service and care for the relationships with Spokane. We are excited to welcome Amy to the team, and we’d ask our supporters to pray for her work with this new USL Super League club that has already begun its season.

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. Click the link below to make a gift or check out our Donate page for different giving options.

Branham Becomes a Volunteer Chaplain at Velocity

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This past year of 2024 has seen an exciting explosion of soccer happening in Spokane, WA. A new United Soccer League (USL) organization has brought professional soccer to the city. The Spokane Velocity play in USL-1, a third-division professional team. Additionally, the organization houses a women’s professional team (Spokane Zephyr FC) as part of the new USL Super League which kicked off in mid-August.

Beginning in late 2023, Soccer Chaplains United started to gather candidates for serving as volunteer chaplain for the inaugural 2024 season for the club. After several rounds of conversations and interviews with a number of qualified and interested candidates, Russell Branham stood out from among a strong pool of people. He has patiently worked through a process with both Soccer Chaplains United and Spokane Velocity to serve in this inaugural chaplain capacity.

Russ works full-time as a national sales manager for a medical device company. An elder at his church, Christ the Redeemer, he is also a candidate to complete a Master’s in Biblical Counseling from Westminster Theological Seminary in January of 2025. Part of Russ’ passion and desire center on reaching out to younger people and building trust to be able to speak into their lives and love them by showing hospitality and listening to the things that trouble them most.

I have just seen that young people – from 18-25 – just really have so few people speaking into their lives. What I love about Soccer Chaplains United is that the chaplain is equipped and empowered to come alongside many who wouldn’t otherwise have someone in their lives to ask “how are you?” and not mean it superficially, in a culture that gauges how you are by what you share on social media.

Russ, on his experience and sense about the chaplaincy opportunity with Soccer Chaplains United

Russ grew up in the Hillyard neighborhood of Spokane and went to college at the University of Idaho. He came to faith later in life (at the age of 31) through the love and care of a local pastor who was going around and knocking on neighborhood doors and having conversations with people.

Russ is a big encourager of people and a networker/connector. He loves to see people in places where they can flourish. He and his wife have five children and one of them adopted from foster care. Russ enjoy running and fly fishing as his hobbies. He’s also got a passion for finding great Mexican food.

Spokane is my home and having the Velocity here is not just a community rallying point but, a place for us to come together in the spirit of fun, competition and unity. It’s a place where can find a common ground and a bond around the team and community. The Velocity will allow us to be arm in arm with no agenda other than pride in the team and the city of Spokane!

Russ, on his excitement to see the USL organization come to Spokane

Integral to the process of placing Russell was the new position and role of Jubal McDaniel in serving as the Pacific Chaplain Manager. As part of his role, Jubal has been responsible for cultivating relationships within the Spokane Velocity organization and leadership and working to connect Russell for a successful placement and continual support for the onboarding and coaching that goes into raising up a new chaplain.

For me, Russell represents a new historical mile marker for Soccer Chaplains United as my first placement under my new chaplain manager role. This is on top of placing a chaplain with a brand new club and being able to start this journey together. I have enjoyed getting to know Russell throughout this process and I love his heart as a compassionate connector, encourager and advocate. 

Jubal, on his excitement at seeing this first placement and working with Russell

We are excited to welcome Russ to the team, and we’d ask our supporters to pray for his work amongst the new USL club in Spokane, Washington.

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. Click the link below to make a gift or check out our Donate page for different giving options.

Community First Soccer Means Soccer For All

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In late June, Sebastian Navarro with Community First Soccer reached out to Tacoma Defiance Chaplain, Jubal McDaniel. Is there any soccer gear that we might be able to give away to the children participating in our youth camps this summer? Earlier this year, Jubal had gone through the process of closing down his own non-profit, Northwest Football Ministries. In previous years, Jubal and Sebastian had connected to mutually serve local communities in the state of Washington through soccer.

Community First Soccer is a soccer non profit 501(c)3 whose main goal is to make soccer accessible to all starting with the underserved communities who need it the most. They host free soccer camps and college showcases. Their mission and aim is to never charge for a soccer camp. They make their camps free and accessible to as many people as possible — a difficult task in the pay-to-play soccer culture that permeates the North American landscape, currently.

There were multiple camps held — Yakima, Quincy, and Sunnyside — all cities across southeast Washington over a period of two weeks in late July. The camps were free to all of the families and helped provide soccer gear, lunches, haircuts, and new friends! Local professionals, like former Seattle Sounder Roman Torres, were on site to coach, encourage, and engage with the kids.

This Community Project fulfillment also marked another “first” of sorts — gear from Jubal in Tacoma, and not Denver. As Soccer Chaplains United continues to grow, so do the opportunities for expanding our abilities to get used soccer gear to other communities through our Community Project program. All totaled, Jubal delivered about 20 bags of gear for CFS to use over the course of the two weeks.

When you financially support Soccer Chaplains United 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 Project from the selectable funds. Your financial gift helps us purchase new soccer equipment, sponsor individuals projects and organizations, and to cover associated costs of providing Bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!

See the pictures below as the gear was handed out to different children and their families.

Geraud Brumfield is “en Fuego”

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Geraud Brumfield recently has started serving as volunteer chaplain to Central Valley Fuego FC, a team that plays in the United Soccer League 1, otherwise known as USL1. Fuego FC has a bit of a “rise from the ashes” kind of story after the USL Championship side folded in 2019. The team was founded in 2020, after the pandemic and the work to get a new club up and running saw the team bring back professional soccer to the valley in 2022.

Brumfield, serves many young people in his work for a campus ministry outreach. For Geraud much of his life and mission nd passion is about coming alongside of young people who are asking those “larger than life” questions about God, faith, pain, and this world. While soccer isn’t his first language, loving and listening to young people is.

Part of my call in life is to walk with college-age students and to help in the asking and wrestling with those questions that loom…it comes from a part of my testimony. When I was in college, I was asking those same questions. I had a friend who pursued and persisted and he walked with me as I figured out Jesus. I had been living my life trying to make my dad proud of me. The problem was, my dad passed when I was 10 years old. I came to understand God telling me: ‘You are living for someone who is dead. I want you to live for Someone who died for you.’

Geraud Brumfield, on the origins of his call to ministry and his awakening to faith

Fuego’s USL1 level is a near perfect match for Brumfield in terms of player age. As a third division, professional soccer team, many of Fuego’s athletes are younger and aspiring to grow to higher levels in the game. The average age sees the majority of players in their mid-20’s and coming from the recently graduated college ranks.

Geraud with some of the fellas, hanging out at a Fuego game while going through the process with Soccer Chaplains United.

Geraud’s placement story is a beautiful blend between my connections with different people in the game and the work of Pacific Chaplain Manager, Jubal McDaniel. My relationships with Jermaine Jones, the Head Coach, and Adam Smith, the Technical Director, were a tremendous part of seeing Geraud’s placement come about. Jubal has done the work to coach Geraud in the different points of entry that a chaplain must take in building trust and beginning to work with a team.

It has been a tremendous joy to see how warmly Geraud been received by the club…his humor, personality, and deep love for people has shown to be a perfect match.

Jubal McDaniel, on Geraud’s placement

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.

Gavin Brings His Brand To Ballard

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Gavin Brand has become Ballard FC’s first volunteer club chaplain. One of the United Soccer League 2’s (USL 2) premier clubs from the Pacific Northwest, Ballard FC has a storied, albeit, short history. Beginning play in 2022, the club won the league championship in 2023 and continues its winning ways with an opening playoff match this Friday, July 19th.

Brand, a pastor in Ballard, is new to soccer chaplaincy, but not new to the work of being a chaplain. He served as an Army Reserve Chaplain for eight years. During his time in the reserves, Brand cared for service members from all walks of life and several different units, some of which saw a strong number of international service members. A passionate runner, Gavin also understands the demands placed upon elite and rising athletes and his heart is to shepherd and guide the young athletes and staff that make up Ballard FC, much like his military chaplaincy days.

One of my favorite aspects of chaplaincy, is the opportunity to walk alongside of people and to counsel and help carry the various life burdens that they carry.

Gavin Brand, on the work of chaplaincy

As a USL2 Team, Ballard FC primarily plays from early May until mid- to early August, depending on playoff results. The team is comprised of male, collegiate athletes who are seeking to retain their college eligibility but also continue to receive pre-professional player development and opportunities to be scouted and seen by USL, Major League Soccer, and other clubs for future opportunities. During the offseason, Ballard FC continues its work in and throughout the community and with building out a roster for the next season.

Brand (nos. 1206, 334, and 149 clockwise) ran cross country for Seattle Pacific University in his collegiate days

Much of the work and effort of connecting and placing Gavin is part of the new position and role of Jubal McDaniel who serves as the Pacific Chaplain Manager. Jubal’s relationships and connections with Ballard FC have helped to connect Gavin and help him to begin a hopefully long legacy of serving this fledgling club with an already impactful history.

In our conversations with the club, it became clear that we didn’t need the top soccer enthusiast. We needed a ‘fire-pit’ guy — someone easy enough to have that comfortable conversation about life around the fire pit…and we found that fire pit guy in Gavin.

Jubal McDaniel, on the personality of Gavin and his placement
Gavin Brand and his family in a recent photo

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.

June Soccer with Jubal – Part 2

From the Touchline

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:16 — 51.8MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music | Android | Pandora | iHeartRadio | Email | Youtube Music | RSS

Jubal McDaniel joins me today for part 2 of our June Soccer series. Jubal is the volunteer chaplain for the Tacoma Defiance and serves as the Soccer Chaplains United Pacific Coast Chaplain Manager and our conversation has centered around the two devotional books that we worked on — for the recent World Cups and the subsequent revisions.

June 2024 marks our release of the revision of last year’s Five Women You Meet in Faith and Football. With new artwork and a more timeless feel, Jubal and I look back on that devotional and the work done on both devos and how the art moved or spoke to us.

Jubal and I also play a fun game of Crosses with Rev! It’s debatable whether he attempted to slow the pace down…all good fun, though!

From the Touchline is a short-feature (10-15 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).

Also, don’t forget that you can listen in our app, SoccrChapUtd, in the Apple and Google store.

June Soccer with Jubal – Part 1

From the Touchline

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:55 — 51.1MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music | Android | Pandora | iHeartRadio | Email | Youtube Music | RSS

June is the start of a very busy soccer season — international friendlies, the Euros, readying for the summer Olympics, as well as the various leagues throughout the U.S. Today on the podcast, I am joined by Jubal McDaniel. Jubal is the volunteer chaplain for the Tacoma Defiance and serves as the Soccer Chaplains United Pacific Coast Chaplain Manager.

Jubal and I take a look back at the devotional books that we worked on — one for the 2022 Men’s World Cup and one for the 2023 Women’s World Cup. With the revision of Five Women You Meet in Faith and Football coming out this month, we reflect back on the artwork and graphic design and layout help that Jubal provided for the two devotionals.

And in part 2 (next week), Jubal and I play a fun game of Crosses with Rev! You won’t want to miss it.

From the Touchline is a short-feature (10-15 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).

Also, don’t forget that you can listen in our app, SoccrChapUtd, in the Apple and Google store.

2024 MLS Next Pro Season Preview

From the Touchline

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:05:51 — 60.3MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music | Android | Pandora | iHeartRadio | Email | Youtube Music | RSS

This upcoming weekend, MLS Next Pro kicks off season three. Today, on the podcast, I am joined by special guests: Jubal McDaniel (chaplain to the Tacoma Defiance and Soccer Chaplains’ United’s very own Pacific Chaplain Manager) and Jonathan Hyde (chaplain to Chattanooga FC). Each of these guys is a volunteer chaplain with Soccer Chaplains United and serving a MLS NEXT Pro team. Today we’ll take a look at the 2024 season that lies ahead as well as some of the unique features and challenges for each of their teams.

And because it’s Jonathan’s first time on the pod, we will get in a fun game of Crosses with Rev.

From the Touchline is a short-feature (10-15 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).

Also, don’t forget that you can listen in our app, SoccrChapUtd, in the Apple and Google store.

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