Hello Friends,
We have a number of updates on the chaplain and ministry front as we enter into the final stretches of the season. Check out some of the stories below!
Chaplain Losses Mount for 2025
While Soccer Chaplains United has gained a couple of chaplains this year, we've had some losses as well.
In June, Josh Bailey ended his efforts to serve as chaplain in West Virginia. In the month of July, Jubal McDaniel, stepped aside as his work with
a church revitalization demanded more of his time and energy. And earlier this month, Chaplain Isidro Piña (pictured below) decided it was time to move on after being part of Soccer Chaplains United for 8 years.
Chaplain transitions are often one of two types: through the folding of a club or because of a
personal or professional change for the chaplain. This is the ongoing nature of volunteer chaplaincy in the soccer space.
Last year, we did an analysis. It costs Soccer Chaplains United around $3,000 to raise up a volunteer chaplain and around $750 to support that chaplain, ongoing. Budget shortfalls often mean that chaplains don't get the support that they need to sustain a healthy, long-term ministry. One of the most effective measures of that has been when I travel to visit
and support a chaplain in market — this development aspect has been cut back in recent years due to funding and increased travel costs.
We anticipate that there may be additional chaplains who either step back or face changes and uncertainty as we approach the end of this season. Please pray and consider supporting our work to keep good, Christ-filled chaplains in place with these teams and organizations!
