Christina Garber has faithfully served the Portland Thorns since 2019 as volunteer chaplain and will continue to do so but not under the banner of Soccer Chaplains United, any longer. As Christina and I have spoken over the last few weeks, a greater need to “simplify life” has become an emerging theme. Wife to Andy, (who is a Tottenham fan) and mother to three wonderful children, Christina has also supported the Portland Thorns through a NWSL championship season (2022) as volunteer chaplain all the while maintaining full-time work with CRU City and helping the development of the Pro Soccer Chaplains Association. In truth, it has all become a bit too much.
Christina will continue to serve the Thorns and step back from some other engagement places in addition to her membership with Soccer Chaplains United, but the door remains open for her return someday should she elect to consider us again. Her accountability and association will now rest with CRU City.
On behalf of the team and board of Soccer Chaplains United, we wish Christina well in her family life and professional endeavors as she continues to steward the position as volunteer chaplain to the Thorns and the other places where God calls her to serve and be.
Christina (with her family) will continue to serve the Thorns as an extension of her CRU City work in an effort to simplify.
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Christina-Garber.jpg753657Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2023-03-21 12:00:002024-07-08 23:50:00Garber Leaves Soccer Chaplains United But Will Continue To Serve Thorns
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 week, the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) sprang back into action with the kickoff of the second annual Challenge Cup series. Major League Soccer (MLS) begins league play this weekend with its teams set to kick off across the US. With both leagues preparing to begin their respective seasons with what will, hopefully, be a bit of a return to normalcy for professional soccer in North America.
Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, Rev Brad is joined by Ben Dudley, co-chaplain of the Portland Timbers and Christina Garber, chaplain to the Portland Thorns. The three Soccer Chaplains United chaplains talk about the beginning of the season, contrast things with last year, and look ahead to the season in today’s podcast episode. Ben and Christina even share what the two professional soccer teams from Portland mean to the city and its people.
From the Touchline is a short-feature (usually 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 Kenney2021-04-14 00:00:002024-08-20 13:21:03NWSL AND MLS with Ben and Christina
In such uncertain times, there are certainly many difficult spaces for football/soccer athletes, coaches, and teams to navigate. Whether issues stemming from COVID-19 and lockdown, to sequestering for a month-long tournament to get back to soccer, or the racial tensions and strife that are rippling throughout US cities and around the world — just a normal day can be overwhelming — before adding all these things into the mix.
Where does a chaplain fit into the mix of that? And where and how does a chaplain to an elite women’s soccer team serve? Listen to today’s podcast to get special insight into the women’s game of soccer in the US and the work of a chaplain to help a team remember to find joy and care for one another..
In today’s From the Touchline episode, special guest, Portland Thorns Chaplain and Soccer Chaplains United’s own Christina Garber joins me to talk about the Thorns, the upcoming NWSL Challenge Cup tournament this weekend, and some of the unique challenges facing women in professional soccer.
From the Touchline is a short-feature (usually 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 Kenney2020-06-24 13:00:352024-08-20 13:45:19Thorns and Thistles
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
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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