From the Touchline

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…The Saints, who knew?”

Inquiries and feedback can be sent to [email protected].

From the Touchline is a short-feature (10 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney and occasional guests touching on various issues around faith, family, and football.

Check out the Soccer Chaplains United App and go to the Media section. Under podcasts you will see a new podcast for 4/4/2018 entitled “Soccer Saint – My Soccer Journey Part One.”

If you don’t have the app yet, you can download the Soccer Chaplains United App from the Google and App Store. Search “SoccChaplain” and look for our logo (see photo below)!

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 grandparents lived in Laguna Nigel, CA for several years and I have many fond memories of the beach and the ocean. I learned early how to body surf and boogie board and I love playing in the ocean.

Now, I was a bit disappointed to miss out on all the big beach days for the trip (I joined Sunday afternoon and left Friday). But the moments we did get to jump into the ocean were refreshing and fun after a long, hard, hot day at work.

One of the days we were all out playing the ocean there was particularly strong riptide. If you don’t know what a riptide is, it’s a strong tide or current that is particularly dangerous because it can pull you out to sea. This particular riptide was pulling everything sideways up the beach and if you didn’t pay attention, you oddly find yourself not only out to sea, but far from your original insertion point.

The team was having a blast because the waves were huge and crashing down on everyone, but the riptides kept pulling us further and further away.

We gathered the students in and pointed out what was happening.

We setup a boundary — play, have fun, enjoy the waves, but stay aware of your surroundings. When you see you’ve been pulled to this point, get out and walk along the beach back to the other boundary line.

It seemed silly at first, but it was safe.

God, in many ways has marked out similar boundary lined in his Word, the Bible.

There are strong, dangerous currents — ways in which the world is trying to pull you, me, and our children out into an overwhelming sea. God acts as lifeguard — He lays down a boundary line for our safety and protection and in the times when we are nearly swept away He is able to save.

As parents, you and I have been entrusted, for the time that our children are in our homes and under our stewardship and care to help them understand the marking out of the boundaries. To help encourage awareness of their surroundings. To help remind them that sometimes they need a break from being out in the ocean where waves can engulf and knock one off their feet.

I pray that we will not take this task lightly and that this powerful lesson, learned from a Costa Rican riptide could be firmly planted into your son and daughter’s minds as they navigate the sea of life with Jesus.

Pura Vida,

Rev

Costa Rica waves

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 [email protected].

From the Touchline is a short-feature (10 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney and occasional guests touching on various issues around faith, family, and football.

Check out the Soccer Chaplains United App and go to the Media section. Under podcasts you will see a new podcast for 3/28/2018 entitled “Spy Wednesday – There is Hope.”

If you don’t have the app yet, you can download the Soccer Chaplains United App from the Google and App Store. Search “SoccChaplain” and look for our logo (see photo below)!

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 2017.

At a meal with Independence representatives, part of my own and Gustavo’s understanding was focused on how we might serve the team better this year. A transition to a new stadium venue in Matthews, NC and the moving of office space along with a new ownership represented changes on the Independence side that might give opportunities for Gustavo and the chaplaincy to occur.

As we attended the opening home game for the Independence, there were several points of ministry that were observable and that many people do not consider being part of what a chaplain might possibly do. For example, a player was taken to the hospital due to injury. I shared with Gustavo, that a chaplain might be the one to help that player in a number of ways. One way might include praying for the player before heading to the hospital or showing family members how to get to the hospital, or even to simply help the player retrieve his car or belongings later, from the stadium.

The game itself, was a thrilling, 4-1 win for the Independence. Included was this penalty kick goal:

Herrera Penalty Kick Goal

Please pray for our work and the ongoing development of the chaplaincy in Charlotte with the Charlotte Independence. We are excited to see a fresh year and new season begin with Chaplain Gustavo Bentos in place and with several strong connections of people to serve.

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 [email protected].

From the Touchline is a short-feature (10 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney and occasional guests touching on various issues around faith, family, and football.

Check out the Soccer Chaplains United App and go to the Media section. Under podcasts you will see a new podcast for 3/21/2018 entitled “Fiery? Or, Cool?”

If you don’t have the app yet, you can download the Soccer Chaplains United App from the Google and App Store. Search “SoccChaplain” and look for our logo (see photo below)!

Rev Brad reflects on the news of the NASL shutting down for the 2018 season and how displaced people are often found in soccer, the world, and in the Bible. 

Inquiries and feedback can be sent to [email protected].

From the Touchline is a short-feature (10 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney and occasional guests touching on various issues around faith, family, and football.

Check out the Soccer Chaplains United App and go to the Media section. Under podcasts you will see a new podcast for 3/14/2018 entitled “Displaced People.”

If you don’t have the app yet, you can download the Soccer Chaplains United App from the Google and App Store. Search “SoccChaplain” and look for our logo (see photo below)!

Rev Brad shares a reflection on a powerful quote from one of the Christian, Desert Mothers. Great athletes have to contend with powerful enemies. What enemy do you contend with?

Inquiries and feedback can be sent to [email protected].

From the Touchline is a short-feature (10 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney and occasional guests touching on various issues around faith, family, and football.

Check out the Soccer Chaplains United App and go to the Media section. Under podcasts you will see a new podcast for 3/7/2018 entitled “Syncletica – Great Athletes, Powerful Enemies.”

If you don’t have the app yet, you can download the Soccer Chaplains United App from the Google and App Store. Search “SoccChaplain” and look for our logo (see photo below)!

Rev Brad checks in on how Lent is going, shares some reflections from last year’s journey through changing to a vegan diet, and confesses his own inability to play “Barbie” Dolls. 

Inquiries and feedback can be sent to [email protected].

From the Touchline is a short-feature (10 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney and occasional guests touching on various issues around faith, family, and football.

Check out the Soccer Chaplains United App and go to the Media section. Under podcasts you will see a new podcast for 2/28/2018 entitled “Lent – Checking In.”

If you don’t have the app yet, you can download the Soccer Chaplains United App from the Google and App Store. Search “SoccChaplain” and look for our logo (see photo below)!

Rev Brad Kenney, shares some insight into the life of Saint Colmán of Lindisfarne and reflections on the nature of lifes “breakups.” Included is a reading of the Colman liturgy or prayer that might be said or prayed (or listened to) when faced with a job dismissal or a relationship breakup or ending.

Inquiries and feedback can be sent to [email protected].

From the Touchline is a short-feature (10 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney and occasional guests touching on various issues around faith, family, and football.

Check out the Soccer Chaplains United App and go to the Media section. Under podcasts you will see a new podcast for 2/21/2018 entitled “Colman – The Breakup.”

If you don’t have the app yet, you can download the Soccer Chaplains United App from the Google and App Store. Search “SoccChaplain” and look for our logo (see photo below)!

In this episode of From the Touchline, Colorado Rapids Chaplain Rev Brad Kenney shares about Ash Wednesday.

Inquiries and feedback can be sent to [email protected].

From the Touchline is a short-feature (10 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney and occasional guests touching on various issues around faith, family, and football.

Check out the Soccer Chaplains United App and go to the Media section. Under podcasts you will see a new podcast for 2/14/2018 entitled “Ash Wednesday.”

If you don’t have the app yet, you can download the Soccer Chaplains United App from the Google and App Store. Search “SoccChaplain” and look for our logo (see photo below)!