October is Pastor and Ministry Appreciation month and today, on the From the Touchline podcast, I (Brad) want to take a minute (well a lot of minutes) and share about the special people that make up Soccer Chaplains United. We now have a team of 28 people who are working and serving as chaplains to the sport of soccer and each of them comes with a special set of gifts and talents and contributions that they make to Soccer Chaplains United and the teams that they serve. I wish I was able to personally thank them over and over again for representing Jesus to the people of soccer as wonderfully as they do, but at least for today — I will talk about them and point you to honoring their work and their sacrifice.
From the Touchline is a 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).
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 Kenney2023-10-11 00:00:002024-08-20 11:32:582023 Soccer Chaplains United Chaplain Appreciation
Last month, Ethan Kell, son of Soccer Chaplains United chaplain Michael Kell requested soccer gear for his school’s spring break missions trips happening in Cleveland, OH working with refugees in the inner city. The following video shows a little bit about pulling gear for this particular project:
Ethan shares photos, video and more about what he and his team did during their time, below:
We worked in inner city Cleveland and were able to serve the community. I helped repair a greenhouse that provides vegetables to refugees. I was able to serve refugees through helping them learn English. Because of the donation of gear from Soccer Chaplains United and the Colorado Rapids, I was able to give clothing and soccer gear to local children. They were so excited. The kids put their gear on right away and many didn’t take it off for the next several days. Something that stood out to me was that there isn’t just a need outside of the United States but there is great need here in our country and in our own communities. I am thankful for all those who helped make this trip possible and especially thankful to Rev Brad and the work of Soccer Chaplains United.
Ethan, on his time in Cleveland and what his eyes were opened to see
Of course the soccer gear was small part of the work that Ethan and his team did, but it also was something that the Envision staff made a comment on:
This gear donation was a blessing to the community, but it was also a blessing to see Ethan able to serve while sharing the game he loves and an unexpected blessing to me as I saw the joy on the faces of the kids!
Brent Calhoun, Envision Cleveland
Remember, when you 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 from the selectable funds. Your financial gift helps us purchase new soccer equipment, sponsor individuals or organizations, and cover associated costs of providing Bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_3747-2-scaled.jpg14401920Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2023-04-27 00:00:002024-07-19 15:06:24Update: Kell’s Time in Cleveland
Recently, Ethan Kell, son of Soccer Chaplains United chaplain Michael Kell reached out and requested soccer gear for his school’s spring break missions trips happening right here in the US in the city of Cleveland (as well as a few other locations). Together with Envision Cleveland, Woodcrest Christian High School, is sending out 114 students for spring time missions work. Ethan and a team of 18 students and 4 adult leaders will travel Ohio to work with inner city kids in downtown Cleveland, including many Somali refugees. Ethan hopes to use soccer as a way to build relationships and the requested gear will hopefully open many of those doors.
Ethan Kell plays for LAFC Academy and has asked for gear from Soccer Chaplains United for his upcoming mission trip to Cleveland
Envision Cleveland
Envision Cleveland has a number of different outreaches and programs aimed at building up the community in different parts of the city. Their mission and aim is to build up and strengthen neighbors and communities and the recent influx of refugees into the US and into Cleveland have created an important place to serve.
Ethan shared more of his hopes and what he is “keeping” in mind as he takes on this trip:
Getting outside of my normal life and serving others in need will let me get a picture of God’s heart for others and what he is doing in other areas. I am excited to take this trip now as this may be the only chance I have while in high school. Many know that I am playing soccer with the MLS Academy of Los Angeles Football Club. The commitment is year round and much is expected. I am taking a step of faith and participating in this trip. This trip will accomplish several things: First, we will support the local Christian workers serving in Cleveland. Second, we will meet practical needs — working with Somali refugees, running children’s ministry and serving in downtown. Third, we will hopefully be able to share with people how much Jesus loves them and they can know Him. Finally, we will be changed and impacted to serve here (in LA) when we return. I am excited about the experience that lies ahead. Please pray for God to provide for every need and that he would begin preparing my heart to serve him.
Ethan Kell, on his aspirations for this trip
Students from Woodcrest Christian School will be traveling to several places in the US and also to the country of Belize. You can see more about what different students and teams will be doing here.
Project Request:
Soccer Balls
Soccer Jerseys/Shorts/Socks
Working with children 5-18 years of age and 50-100 people
Shipping items (either to LA or Cleveland)
Remember, when you 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 from the selectable funds. Your financial gift helps us purchase new soccer equipment, sponsor individuals or organizations, and cover associated costs of providing Bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/WoodcrestSticker.png779774Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2023-02-23 00:00:002024-07-19 15:06:42Kell Keeping Woodcrest and Envision Cleveland
From east coast to west coast, Michael Kell has seen and been in all parts of the US, but he now calls Southern California home. The father of two has recently seen his oldest off to college at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA — his old alma mater. And his son, (Ethan) currently plays with Los Angeles Football Club’s Academy program, as a goalkeeper. From the countless hours spent on the sidelines, Michael was curiously stirred by the tremendous amount of need that he would come across as he would patiently sit and watch games with other parents. The felt needs prompted him to start exploring what chaplaincy at the academy level might look like. Enter in Soccer Chaplains United.
I was surprised to find Soccer Chaplains United a few years ago and to discover that there was work being done at the academy level. I thought this was a good thing — and as time has gone by, I started to think to myself, ‘Maybe I should go through this process…be ready…just in case the club has a need.’
Michael Kell, on his first impressions of Soccer Chaplains United and thought process on joining
A couple of years ago, Michael and I met at a Rapids First Team match while LAFC Academy was in to play a local tournament. We had spent a few hours on the phone already. I had been sharing the vision and work of Soccer Chaplains United — not to just be about the elite athletes in the First Team dressing room, but to have capacity to serve the whole club — from the front office, to the academy, to the pros. It’s been really exciting to consider someone like Michael joining the team to serve as chaplain because there are many opportunities to develop out in this space.
Michael’s son, Ethan, makes a save playing for LAFC against California Rush in a scrimmage late last month.
Michael brings his unique experience of being an academy parent for one of the elite teams in MLS. The challenges faced by the athletes, parents, and families with the potentiality of playing professional soccer are tremendous and Michael is poised to understand and serve those from his own experience.
At this time, Michael will serve as a regional chaplain for Soccer Chaplains United for the Southern California area. His relationships in and amongst the academy community and with local area teams will be a broader area of focus until Soccer Chaplains United can better understand the needs for a specific club or academy program and how best to situation Michael for service. Regardless, though, Michael has a heart to serve and compassionately come alongside of parents and athletes who are facing the possibilities of their child being a pro at an early age.
As clubs, and our nation, produce the next generation of superstars, there are families, players, academy coaches and staff along the way who have very real needs. My prayer is that Soccer Chaplains United can be a venue through which to serve and meet the spiritual needs of this unique community.
Michael Kell, on his hopes for his work with 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 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.
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/M-Kell-Profile-Pic-2021-scaled-e1661545462291.jpg638945Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2022-09-12 00:00:002024-07-08 23:58:15Kell New Appointment to Soccer Chaplains United
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