From the Touchline

Do you ever feel like the holiday season is just crazy-making? Do you dread the rush that seems to come earlier and easier every year? Rev Brad shares, in today’s From the Touchline episode, about Celtic Advent . This intentional season begins every November 15 and is designed to help prepare people for the day (Dec 25) and the season of Christmas which has become so commercialized and commo...

In today’s special  From the Touchline  podcast episode, Rev Brad introduces a pretty important person — Saint Martin of Tours. From Martin’s life and story originates our English words for “chapel” and “chaplain.” And Brad reflects on the life and ministry of chaplains today and Christians everywhere. From the Touchline is a short-featu...

The jersey exchange is one of the most unique and special rituals and moments to be found in the Beautiful Game of soccer. In this edition of  From the Touchline  Rev Brad reminisces about a couple of “swaps” in his time as a chaplain and reflects on several times in the Bible where a similar exchange was made. He concludes by reflecting on the ultimate exchange that ever hap...

Did you know that God actually issued the first “yellow card caution”? If you know the Bible, to whom do you think He issued the caution? In this edition of  From the Touchline , Rev Brad springboards off the history of the yellow card caution for football and reflects on  the first yellow card caution issued by God. He encourages listeners to reflect on the differe...

Brooke Ewert, Director of Counseling, and myself enjoyed a time of sharing this morning around the “Breakfast Table” with our friends at AM91 . Roy Hanschke and Denise Washington-Blomberg were our hosts this morning around the table and we were able to cover a number of topics including the upcoming 2nd Global Congress on Sport and Christianity at Calvin University . In case you missed...

How do you do under pressure? Do you perform better? Or, do you struggle? This latest  From the Touchline  podcast is about the pressure that often comes from playoffs, promotion/relegation and other points in and around the beautiful game. In this edition, Rev Brad leads listeners through an exercise to identify other stories where the pressure was on and look at how those people went t...

What does seasonal change look like where you live? Or, better yet, what change are you currently going through? In this edition of  From the Touchline , Rev Brad reflects on his younger days and how God brought about change in his heart — from wanting to attend West Point Military Academy to becoming a pastor — the season of change that God wrought is the result of praying a particular way i...

This past weekend, the Board of Directors and myself, were in beautiful Fairplay, CO to pray and envision the future of Soccer Chaplains United. One of the helpful moments for me at the retreat was to understand that the ministry is in a time and period of “stabilizing.” The past two years being marked by a significant change to our organization by virtue of our announced change of nam...

The latest  From the Touchline  podcast is out. This week, we look at the powerful song, You’ll Never Walk Alone . If you don’t know much about this hallowed soccer song we invite you to listen and learn more. Rev Brad reflects on Scripture that illuminates this powerful pre-match song. From the Touchline is a short-feature (10 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney and occas...

Today we produced and uploaded the latest Soccer Chaplains United podcast, From the Touchline ! This week, we’re talking about dislocation — the emotional and spiritual feelings that often come as a part of the travel and transience of football. From the Touchline is a short-feature (10 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney and occasional guests touching on various issues around faith, family, a...

Yesterday, we released a special edition podcast, Emmaus – Coping with Grief.  In the light of a couple of recent deaths of former footballer’s, this special edition podcast under From the Touchline  is designed to give some coping skills to those who are perhaps faced with a sudden and shocking loss or death. In my experience as a chaplain in hospice care,  as well as s...

Today, we released Spiritual Fitness Exercises as a podcast episode under From the Touchline . In this episode, I suggest some helpful starts to get your spiritual fitness journey underway. I have always had trouble with some of the devotional and spiritual discipline parts of my walk with Jesus and I share a few suggestions to help spur you on. From devotional resources to prayer apps and more. T...

How spiritually fit are you? In this edition of  From the Touchline , Rev Brad recalls the cross-training movement of the early 2000’s and applies the principle of being cross-trained for one’s spiritual fitness as well as one’s physical and mental fitness.  Inquiries and feedback can be sent to  podcast@soccerchaplainsunited.org . From the Touchline is a shor...

From sorting and packing to dropping off and blessing — Rev Brad Talks About the Indestructible One World Ball Rev Brad Encourages the Team to Bless the in-country Drop Off Rev Brad Talks about Reproducing Generosity Rev Brad Shares a story – Size 12 in Haiti

We really enjoyed our time with the morning show of the KPOF AM 910 . Roy Hanschke, Denise Washington-Blomberg, and Gordy Scott were gracious hosts for Rubèn Rodríguez and myself early on Friday morning. Some of the highlights that we were able to share in the interview included: Our re-branding to Soccer Chaplains United last year Vision to develop chaplaincy amongst all levels of the sport A pos...

Do you pray? Struggle with words? Don’t know what to say? Rev Brad shares a couple of stories of a simple prayer that he has learned to pray over the years. Check out our new section in the podcast area entitled “Prayers.” Inquiries and feedback can be sent to  podcast@soccerchaplainsunited.org . From the Touchline is a short-feature (10 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney and...

Rev Brad Kenney looks briefly at the life of Saint Brendan the Navigator. Brendan’s life was one spent exploring the world that God was sending he and others out into, but Brendan begins his journey on top of a mountain praying, to discern if God is really calling him into this amazing journey. Maybe God is calling you to something amazing. Maybe you need to get away to a mountaint...

Where are you?   Rev Brad reflects on the first question ever asked by God, when he called out to man. Genesis 3:9 records this powerful and important moment. And God is still calling out today, to you and to me, and the question is the same.  How would you answer that question? Inquiries and feedback can be sent to  podcast@soccerchaplainsunited.org . From the Touchline is a s...

What’s your preferred platform? In this edition of  From the Touchline , Rev Brad looks into the area of social media. He reflects on some of the ways that social media seems to speak to us and whom ought to be an example when trying to develop good habits and practices around social media and it’s usage. Inquiries and feedback can be sent to  podcast@soccerchaplain...

Rev Brad, in this edition of  From the Touchline , shares about how God called him to be a chaplain to soccer. After leaving the Colorado Rapids for seminary, God opened a door to go back and serve the team in a volunteer capacity as chaplain. Photo: Oakland Christian High School,  Lancers   Varsity Soccer Team, Junior Year (1992) Inquiries and feedback can be sent to  pod...

Rev Brad, in this edition of From the Touchline , shares about the extent to which he grew up with soccer in this, the first part of his story.  From his first team, the North Phoenix Baptist Saints to his last ever training session with the Moody Bible Institute Archers, Rev Brad talks about how great he wasn’t at soccer. “Don’t laugh, but that is me in the photo&...

A final few thoughts from my time in Costa Rica. One day, after our work time, we all jumped in the ocean. The waves were hug! The riptide, though, was pulling us further and further down the beachfront and out to sea. I reflected to the team and on the Valor Discovery blog and I want to share that reflection with you here: Not many of you know me. I was born in Denver, but grew up in Arizona. My...

Today is Spy Wednesday, a curious name for this special day in the middle of Holy Week. Rev Brad reflects on the background of Spy Wednesday and how it can be a realization of hope — even for those of us who feel as though we have no hope. Inquiries and feedback can be sent to  podcast@soccerchaplainsunited.org . From the Touchline is a short-feature (10 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney and...

During my recent 10-day trip, Charlotte, NC and spending some time with our chaplain to the Charlotte Independence was high on my priority list. Last year, Gustavo Bentos took over the chaplaincy while we were still operating under our former name. With some personal and professional challenges arising, it was difficult for Gustavo to really invest the time into the team during the latter part of...

It’s a great question: are you fiery or are you cool? How do you typically respond under pressure? Are you a cool cat or a hothead? Rev Brad takes a look at different ways that we can respond to life’s situations. A couple of special “guests” help illustrate with a dramatic vinnette. Inquiries and feedback can be sent to  podcast@soccerchaplainsunited.or...