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

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

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 —

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

Tiago Souza was born and raised in the state of São Paulo (Brazil) and moved to the USA to work and study in Lynchburg, VA in 2013. He currently serves as the Communications Manager at GracePoint Church in Bremerton, WA. Tiago graduated from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary with a Masters of Arts and Religion in Leadership. He also holds a BA in Communications (Advertising/Marketing) from ESPM, in São Paulo Brazil.  He also worked and lived in the city of São Paulo from 2004 to 2013, where he worked as Art Director/Graphic Designer on multiple organizations, such as Advertising Agencies (AGE Isobar/Dentsu), Production Companies (Hungry Man) and Churches (Mount Zion). As a part of Soccer Chaplains United, Tiago currently serves as

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!

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.

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.

Born in Waxahachie, Texas, Kim started serving Trinity International University soccer programs unofficially in 2016 and then officially as chaplain for the Trojan Men's Soccer Program in December of 2017. Kim graduated from the University of Tulsa with a BA in English. She was received as a member of Chaplain Fellowship Ministries International in 2011 and is commissioned through her local church, Immanuel Church, in Gurnee, Illinois. Known affectionately as Miss Kim to the TIU athletes she has served, Kim utilizes her gifts of teaching, discernment, and hospitality to provide care for many — even before serving the school. She even has the distinction of serving as mayor of the Town of Kiefer, Oklahoma for a number of years and

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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