This past week, I've spent time with fellow chaplains in sport at the Sports Chaplaincy UK (SCUK) conference and 25-year anniversary celebration. Post-conference, a trip up to Glasgow, Scotland to stay with my best friend from seminary days and do some decompression. And while in Glasgow, also was able to meet up with a player who was a trialist with the Colorado Rapids last year, and recently signed with a Scottish Premier League team. As I reflect back on this past week, I'd like to share some of the highlights. We've Got to Get Ready A recent story in the Guardian on the state of English football (soccer) academies is disturbing as they track probable cause for a 16-year old

This past week I had the privilege of traveling to Manchester, England to represent Soccer Chaplains United during the 25th anniversary of Sports Chaplaincy UK. The week included observing SCUK's "induction day" training program as well as participating in the two-day conference. This year's conference coincided with the 25-year anniversary of the charity which originally was formed as SCORE by Rev John Boyers, the chaplain of Manchester United Football Club. SCORE, began in 1991, and began to spread into other sport in and throughout the United Kingdom. The charity rebranded in 2011 to reflect a clearer sense of chaplaincy in and to sport. As part of the continuing education, training and fellowship — SCORE/SCUK has typically hosted a conference in the

This past Monday,  Rev Brad Kenney visited Brian Shultz and the Valor Christian High School team headed to Costa Rica. As part of the Timothy Project: Valor Costa Rica 2017 Update, Rev Kenney shares the following from their time together. It's always a blessing to go and pray over the teams and the people that are utilizing the Timothy Project gear to serve others. For the Valor team, it's exciting to see the young, student athletes who will go and be part of a life-changing trip where they serve the poor and minister to them through soccer. The commissioning of the team, featured a time of prayer led by Rev. Kenney, team leaders,  and the parents of team members. Typically, when we

When the Colorado Rapids announced their first ever jersey sponsor, it was a historic moment for the club. However, it wasn't long before one of the original clubs of Major League Soccer started looking for a new sponsor - when Ciao Telecom failed to make payments, the Rapids needed a new sponsor. But, what to do with all the merchandise and clothing that had already begun to be made? Rapids Lead Chaplain, Rev. Brad Kenney, recalls a conversation with Rapids President Tim Hinchey, We were at a home game and the news about Ciao failing to make payments had been published and I asked Tim, "What about all the gear?" Perhaps a bit tongue-in-cheek, he replied, "We're going to burn it; hold

It is a well known fact, that of the teams in Major League Soccer, (as a fan) I probably dislike the Los Angeles Galaxy most. I don't know what it is - honestly. I like the owner (Phil Anschutz) as I worked for him when he owned the Colorado Rapids. Dan Gargan is a former Rapids player, and I always cheer on former players that have come through Colorado's doors. Maybe it's that LA seems to always win (they're like the Yankees of Major League Baseball). Maybe it's that the Galaxy once crushed the Rapids in a playoff series when I was working as Public Relations Assistant. Or, maybe it's that they have an extravagant budget (bringing in players like