The National Women’s Soccer League, the top league for women’s soccer in the US, begins their season with the Challenge Cup tournament this Friday as the Portland Thorns take on the OL Reign.
Today, on the Soccer Chaplains United podcast, From the Touchline I am joined by special guests — Lori Krueger, volunteer chaplain with NWSL side KC Current and the volunteer chaplain coordinator for the league, as well as Soccer Chaplains United’s very own — Christina Garber — the volunteer chaplain for the Portland Thorns. There’s much to discuss as women’s soccer has been in the news a lot in the past few months — for good things and for challenging things.
Also part of the pod, Lori takes on the Crosses From Rev game and scores an amazing 23 points to put herself into the top spot for the game (last played with Steve Guppy) all-time!
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.
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/From-the-Touchline-Cover-Art.jpg15001500Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2022-03-16 00:00:002024-08-20 12:23:332022 NWSL Preview with special guests Lori Krueger and Christina Garber
Last year, Compassion International, a ministry based in Colorado Springs, CO took a group of athletes from the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) to El Salvador on a vision trip. The intention was to allow several athletes to interact with and see the work that Compassion is doing in the country. Matt Pirmann and Ken McKinney, leader of the trip, reached out to Soccer Chaplains United to see if there might be any gear or equipment to take down as part of the trip. Soccer Chaplains United was able to get 150 shirts and 10 soccer balls into their hands with short notice.
Compassion Team Members and NWSL athletes show the children some games and drills with a ball donated from Soccer Chaplains United.
Compassion is a long-serving organization whose mission and vision is to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name. Compassion’s three-cord approach is to be: Christ Centered, Church Based and Child Focused. With that in mind, Compassion’s development work with children around the world aims to be holistic in its approach. Compassion’s three-cord approach is to be: Christ Centered, Church Based and Child Focused. With that in mind, Compassion’s development work with children around the world aims to be holistic in its approach.
Nicole Barnhart, pictured in the photo at the top of the page, was one of the NWSL athletes and Compassion team members. She shared this about her experience,
The trip to El Salvador was the opportunity of a lifetime. I went there thinking that I was going to inspire these children, help spark belief and give them hope that they have the strength to fulfill their Go-given potential, but in the end they stole a piece of my heart and inspired me beyond anything imaginable.
Nicole Barnhart, Goalkeeper Utah Royals FC
Lori Krueger, looks on while a Compassion child shares
One of the members of the team was NWSL Chaplain Coordinator, Lori Krueger. For Lori, the trip was a blessing — as she had been praying about hosting a retreat for players at the end of the season. But then, the opportunity from Compassion to take athletes on this vision trip came along.
The trip to El Salvador with the athletes from the NWSL was such a special experience. It was pretty incredible to see the difference that Compassion is making to support these kids who are living in extreme poverty. I saw talent kids, living with hope and dreams because of the ministry.
Lori Krueger, NWSL Chaplain Coordinator
The athletes had opportunity to watch the Compassion work in person and to play some games with the children that are part of Compassions outreach through the various centers that they have throughout the country.
A young girl heads a ball donated through Soccer Chaplains United.Team members were exposed to the impoverished conditions many El Salvadorans live in.
It was hard to see extreme poverty first hand, but at the same time it was so amazing to see how these people who have so little really have so much. They are so joyful and liven and gracious and their passion to live a life in Christ is unbelievable.
Nicole Barnhart
Compassion’s request was the 10th project for 2019 and the first time we have supported a project for El Salvador. One of the outcomes is a new initiative from Compassion to raise awareness and support for ongoing work in El Salvador. You can learn more through this link and opportunity. Additionally, Compassion is exploring other opportunities in other countries for athletes to “give back” to they native lands and people by coming alongside in similar initiatives.
Smiling faces were found to be in high order for many of the girls that the team spent time with.
A piece of my heart will always remain in El Salvador and I will never forget the amazing people I met and how they have motivated me to be better. Jesus showed me a beautiful example of what it means to have a thankful heart no matter our circumstances. He provides for us all and meets us where we are.
Nicole Barnhart
Remember, when you support Soccer Chaplains United a portion of your gift automatically goes to help projects and requests like this one for Compassion International. You can give specifically to help cover our costs by making a gift through PushPay — simply select Community from the selectable funds. Your financial gift helps us purchase new soccer equipment, sponsor individuals or organizations, and to cover associated costs of providing Bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CW2302185-Compassion-El-Salvador-NWSL-Vision-Trip-ES0835-303-scaled.jpg12801920Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2020-02-13 05:00:002020-02-11 10:51:35Compassion in El Salvador
I am pleased to announce that new for the 2019 season, Christina Garber, has been approved as candidate to serve as chaplain to one of the most storied teams in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), the Portland Thorns FC. Christina is on staff with Cru City and works with college and young professionals in Portland as well as various non-profit organizations to see the city of Portland flourish. Christina talked about some of the challenges facing the young people she works with,
Some of the most influential years for a young person can be the 20’s and early 30’s. They are figuring out who they are, and what it is that they stand for in life. The decisions they make during this time frame are arguably some of the most crucial in regards to the trajectory of their professional, social, emotional and spiritual life.
Christina’s placement is the result of a multi-faceted cooperation between Cru City, Soccer Chaplains United and the coordinator for the NWSL chaplains, Lori Krueger. Lori commented on Christina’s ,
Christina’s heart and vision to reach Portland really impressed me, when I met her. I think she will be a great fit working with the Thorns. She has a tremendous gift of hospitality that I personally know will have a huge impact and ministry to this community.
When I asked Christina about her vision and hope for beginning this work with the Thorns, she shared,
The Thorns are highly revered, and influential in shaping culture here in Portland. It is an honor to come alongside and serve these young professional women as they navigate who they are, and the influence they have on Portland and the culture within the worldwide soccer community.
Christina, and her role with the Thorns, will be supported locally by Portland Timbers Chaplains Ben Dudley and Troy Ready. Ben shared his thoughts on Christina,
We are very excited to welcome Christina to the Portland team! Her ministry experience has prepared her for this role and we are confident in her ability to make meaningful connections with the Thorns.
You can learn more about Christina on her biography page. As Christina joins Soccer Chaplains United, she brings the number of chaplains currently serving to 13 chaplains and the Portland Thorns FC becomes the 1st NWSL team being served by Soccer Chaplains United.
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, counseling, and community service across all levels of soccer. Please consider making a contribution today to help us continue growing our work.
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/1024px-Portland_Thorns_FC_logo.svg_.png10241024Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2019-01-21 10:00:472019-01-21 09:49:54Announcing Chaplain for the Portland Thorns FC
Occasionally, we feature other happenings in the sports ministry and sports and soccer chaplaincy world. Well, Our Daily Bread Ministries is hosting another Power Up Conference in Grand Rapids, MI October 2, 2018. See more details below and click the link to register.
You’ll Love This Year’s Event!
October 2, 2018—Grand Rapids, Michigan
In addition to an engaging time of fellowship and a great lineup of speakers, this year’s conference will include a special tour of the Our Daily Bread Ministries Grand Rapids facility. We’re sure you’ll enjoy this bonus feature, as it offers a behind-the-scenes look into the production of the popular Our Daily Bread devotional and other Bible-based resources.
Keynote speaker is Bass Master Fishing chaplain Chris Wells.
Other speakers include Roger Lipe of FCA, Lori Krueger-chaplain coordinator for the National Women’s Soccer League, Kevin Cooper-chaplain with the New York Knicks and Lee De Leon-Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director at Purdue University.
Mark your calendar and plan to join us. We hope it will be just as exciting for you as it was for our friends Jeffrey and Gregory!
It was a great opportunity for me to meet and network with people who attended. I have definitely gained some knowledge and will be able to apply this knowledge in my life to become a better leader spiritually, at work and at home. God willing, I will be back next year! —Jeffrey S. O’Malley, PGA Director of Golf, Pilgrim’s Run Golf Club
Thank you for providing a great day of speakers to help cast vision. The fellowship was great and I had an opportunity to meet others who are serving in kingdom building for Jesus Christ. Thank you for putting this event together. —Gregory Freeman, State Director/Area Director, Fellowship Of Christian Athletes
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/powerupbtn_generic-940x528.jpg528940Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2018-09-04 10:00:352019-04-30 15:46:54Power Up Conference in Michigan, Oct 2
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