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Fasting – A Faithful Practice for Football

From the Touchline

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As we go through the season of Lent, there are three spiritual disciplines and practices that Christians often observe — prayer, fasting, and giving. Last week, we looked at generosity and giving. This week we look at the spiritual discipline of fasting and some of its parallels and connections to soccer.

Today, on the podcast, we look at some of the biblical examples of fasting, some of the purposes and intents behind fasting, and what God really desires to see in those moments when we fast. If you’re a Christian athlete that is considering to fast, please make sure that you consult with a team dietician, athletic trainer, or physician ahead of 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.

Lewis Lifts off in Huntsville

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Soccer Chaplains United is excited to welcome Lewis Martin as the new volunteer chaplain for MLS Next Pro team Huntsville City FC, bringing several years of pastoral experience, a deep love for sports, and a passion for serving the community.

A consistent presence in the Huntsville area, Lewis has served as the Lead Pastor at Madison Church of the Nazarene since 2004, where he has played a pivotal role in strengthening the church’s outreach and fostering a spirit of faith and service. His experience with Marketplace Chaplains has further equipped him to support individuals in both personal and professional settings, providing care and guidance to those navigating life’s challenges.

Lewis’s connection to Huntsville runs deep—he holds degrees from both the University of Alabama in Huntsville and the University of West Alabama, as well as a Master of Divinity from Wesley Biblical Seminary. His background in history, education, and theology, combined with his heart for ministry, makes him uniquely positioned to serve as a spiritual and emotional resource for Huntsville City FC’s players, coaches, and staff.

As chaplain for Huntsville FC, my hope is to build strong relationships and be a source of encouragement for the players, staff, and community. I want to support the team both on and off the field, offering guidance, prayer, and a steady presence throughout the season.

Lewis, on his hopes and vision for serving Huntsville FC

For Lewis, sports are more than just a game—they are an opportunity to build character, forge connections, and find purpose beyond the field. As volunteer chaplain, he aims to be a steady presence for the team, offering encouragement, wisdom, and support as they navigate the highs and lows of life, on and off the field.

Huntsville is a city with a strong sense of community and a passion for excellence. I’m excited to serve alongside Huntsville FC, connect with the players and staff, and be part of something bigger than the game itself. It’s an incredible opportunity to support and uplift those who make this club and city special.

Lewis, on his love of the Huntsville community

Please join us in welcoming Lewis Martin to the Huntsville City FC family!

We are excited to welcome Lewis to the team. Soccer Chaplains United would like to ask our supporters to pray for his work with this MLS NEXT Pro club in Huntsville, AL.

Soccer Chaplains United is non-profit, 501(c)3 and depends upon the financial support of individuals and partners to carry out our work of discovering, developing, and deploying chaplains across all levels of soccer. Please consider making a contribution today. Click the PushPay link below to make a gift or check out our Donate page for different giving options.

Giving—The Call, Challenge, and Comfort

From the Touchline

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:42 — 48.9MB)

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Ash Wednesday is today, and as the season of Lent begins, three spiritual disciplines come more sharply into focus: fasting, giving, and prayer. But not all spiritual disciplines are treated equally!

Today, on the podcast, I want to give attention to what I have deemed “the least of these” practices and in a word hopefully challenge you and me in a meaningful way this season. We look at the spiritual discipline of giving and generosity and a key text found in Matthew 19:16-30, as Jesus confronts an attitude that is likely very prevalent in our day and age.

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.

Noseworthy Starts Service as Volunteer Chaplain for Monterey Bay FC

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As we get set to begin the 2025 season, Soccer Chaplains United is excited to announce the addition of Rev Justin Noseworthy to the team. Justin, is the Lead Pastor at All Things New Church. He has served there since 2017. In addition, Justin is an adjunct professor for Hope International University where he teaches courses on Critical Thinking, Theology of Ministry and is currently putting together a film study course.

Justin’s appointment is the result of a process which began back in the summer of 2024. Jonathan Van Horn, the Pro Soccer Director of Athletes in Action, had shared that a pastor in Monterey Bay had been informally connecting and serving several of the athletes and team members. Jonathan recommended that perhaps Soccer Chaplains United might best suit Justin as an equipping and collaborative group with an eye toward a more formalized sense of chaplaincy with the team.

After an introductory phone call meeting, Justin agreed to go through the process with Soccer Chaplains United including interviewing and initial vetting. The actual placement, which was hopeful prior to the conclusion of the 2024 season was delayed by a coaching change and then working to discuss the opportunity with club leadership. Six months later, Justin has recently been introduced as a voluntary resource for the athletes, coaches, and staff and his hopes to aid the club in its growing role in the community has taken a new step.

I have been in ministry and serving our community here in Monterey Bay for a long time. For the past couple of years, I have been a big fan of the club but more because I can see the impact of the team beyond wins and losses. MBFC has already had a such positive impact on our community. I am excited to help serve and participate in continuing that positive impact, as best I can, for the athletes, coaches, staff — really for the organization as a whole.

Justin, on his excitement on serving Monterey Bay FC and coming alongside its potential for having a positive community impact

Justin has an extensive history with soccer and the people in the Monterey area. He played club soccer at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA. After college, Justin moved to Costa Rica to surf, but ended up playing for a local, regional club team. Up until 2020 and the COVID pandemic, you could find Justin playing a lot of pick-up soccer. Nowadays, he continues to enjoy surfing and playing guitar as a couple of his hobbies.

Justin’s heart is primarily for people. When the opportunity arose nearly 8 years ago to take on the role at All Things New Church, he and wife, Maddie, knew it was an opportunity that God was leading them into. Coming away from a staff role at Carmel Presbyterian, Justin transitioned into taking up the church lead and has been working to grow All Things New and the city of Monterey toward a place of flourishing.

My hope is that any involvement that I have leads to greater flourishing — for players, for staff…for the community. In some ways, I see my role kind of like the character of Ted Lasso — to help them become more of who they truly are meant to be. It’s part of a deep theological conviction that I have held for many years. My role as chaplain is really to help people become fully alive, fully human — to help them become more of who they are meant to be; who they are called to be.

Justin, on his vision of chaplaincy

We are excited to welcome Justin to the team. Soccer Chaplains United would like to ask our supporters to pray for his work with this USL-Championship club in Northern California.

Soccer Chaplains United is non-profit, 501(c)3 and depends upon the financial support of individuals and partners to carry out our work of discovering, developing, and deploying chaplains across all levels of soccer. Please consider making a contribution today. Click the PushPay link below to make a gift or check out our Donate page for different giving options.

Ramadan and Ash Wednesday in Professional Soccer

From the Touchline

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 17:02 — 31.2MB)

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Ramadan begins this weekend — the annual fast for Muslims can be challenging for the professional player – especially in certain times of the year. At the start of a season, a player is trying to earn a spot. In the middle of summer, the heat and humidity can severely impact an athletes physiology. Ash Wednesday, which marks the 40-day season of Lent, is also a time where Christian believers take up disciplines including fasting, as well. Where do all of these religious observance periods fit into the scope of professional soccer? And how does a chaplain help support people in the midst of these times?

Today, on the podcast, I share about the different ways that a chaplain supports people — of Christian and non-Christian traditions — in professional soccer that desire to make observances like Ramadan and Lent. How does one play professionally and still maintain the practices of one’s faith? What is a chaplain’s role to educate, advocate, and support? We get into all of that and a little bit more, From the Touchline.

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.

A Blessing for Football Work

From the Touchline

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 13:05 — 24.0MB)

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For many years, I struggled with some of the derision for the work and the environment of soccer where my work gets played out as a volunteer chaplain. I was the only one, either, as some athletes and coaches had friends and family who would comment — when will you grow up? when will you get a real job?

I think a commonly shared desire amongst people is that we can know and feel confident that our work is worthy, that our work is needed and valued or valuable. When we don’t feel those things we tend to move on to find something more fulfilling and something that can wake us up in the morning and get us out of bed.

Today, on the podcast, I talk about a bit of my own journey at coming to grips with seeing my volunteer chaplaincy work in soccer as a place that God has called me to. I share the words of Presbyterian minister and author, Frederick Buechner, and his definition of “vocation” as a possible start point for the one who is considering the question of calling and our work. I end the pod with an adapted blessing for the work of football (soccer).

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.

The Power of an Introduction

From the Touchline

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 11:50 — 21.7MB)

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An introduction in any industry or business is critical and key — whether a 24-year veteran volunteer soccer chaplain or a first-year chaplain. An introduction to athletes, coaches, and staff at a football club usually come as a result of a trusted relationship or at the end of some sort of process that someone has endured. And introductions are important — whether an athlete is retiring from the game or someone is moving in or on elsewhere (think coach, executive, staffer).

Today, on the pod, I talk about introductions and take a brief look at introductions back in the ancient world and biblical times. The apostle Paul makes an introduction (really a re-introduction) of a runaway slave to his owner — the hope? That the two would be reunited and reconciled and that both of them would benefit from the mutual blessings around that work. And Paul uses a powerful letter to make that introduction.

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.

Bless Everything: A Prayer Posture for Chaplains

From the Touchline

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 17:41 — 32.4MB)

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Usually the beginning of the Major League Soccer (MLS) season sees me reflecting back and looking forward for the season to come. I usually do a lot of praying because there is a lot change and movement — not only for the athletes, but pretty much everyone else involved in the game. This time of the year (in the US and even a bit in the UK) sees a lot of change occur as teams in soccer going looking for a result or are ramping up for a season to come.

Today, on the pod, I want to talk about a bit about this idea of “Blessing Everything” as a prayer posture for chaplains (especially chaplains in sport, and soccer). Saint Ninian is to blame — it’s was a bit of his pattern that I am following to “Bless everything and let God guard the consequences.” There are some nuances to the phrase, but the idea of blessing everything has become part of the theological tool belt that I wear and tends to be a posture even in the day-to-day — from training day, to off-day, to match-day.

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.

The Soccer Psalms – Psalm 131

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This past December, I released a new book, The Soccer Psalms, as a self-published work. (You can also find The Football Psalms-a British version-if you appreciate the different terms around the game). Both books are available globally on Amazon and contain 31 psalms that have been translated into “soccer psalms” — with words, language, and metaphors that connect soccer to God’s Word. I also include some reflection on the context and writing as well as some questions for reflection. Check out the book!

The Soccer Psalms: https://mybook.to/thesoccerpsalms

The Football Psalms: https://mybook.to/thefootballpsalms-uk

Today, on the podcast, I read—Psalm 131 and Soccer Psalm 131—from the book, and share the reflection and mediation questions. What does it look like for an elite athlete to have perspective and not worry so much about their career or making their own “destiny” when it comes to the Beautiful Game? Does an elite soccer player or coach ever reach a point where they don’t need to learn anything else? Psalm 131 and the Soccer Psalm 131 could be a daily reminder that we need to have patience and be willing and open to being trained by God for all that he has in store. I suggest one memorizes this psalm or soccer psalm and recite it as you lace up the boots and put on the shinguards.

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.

The Soccer Psalms – Psalm 13

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 8:39 — 15.8MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music | Android | Pandora | iHeartRadio | Email | Youtube Music | RSS

This past December, I released a new book, The Soccer Psalms, as a self-published work on Amazon. (You can also find The Football Psalms-a British version-if you appreciate the different terms around the game). Both books are available globally on Amazon and contain 31 psalms that have been translated into “soccer psalms” — with words, language, and metaphors that connect soccer to God’s Word. I also include some reflection on the context and writing as well as some questions for reflection. Check out the book!

The Soccer Psalms: https://mybook.to/thesoccerpsalms

The Football Psalms: https://mybook.to/thefootballpsalms-uk

Today, on the podcast, I read—Psalm 13 and Soccer Psalm 13—from the book, and share the reflection and mediation questions. It’s difficult to be on the bench – to see limited playing time after putting in so much effort during the week in the training session. The fiercest competitors and athletes are rarely satisfied to be role players. Does God see us? When will he “put us in” or “call us up”? This psalm can be one that gives encouragement that God will call us at the right time for the plans and purposes that he has for us.

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.

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