Hello Friends,

Have you ever gone to write a letter to someone (or text or email) and then things started happening and it interrupted you? I have been wanting to update you all but there has been so much going on in since our last newsletter in early February that it literally became laughable. Every time I went to write an update, God was doing something new and the story lines kept changing. 

I kept telling myself, "Once it quiets down, I'll send out an update..." 

Well, it's still not quieting down, I can tell you that much. 

A lot can happen in just a month! We tell more of the stories below and we will have stories up on the website (hard to keep up with it all) soon for the bits in this newsletter that we haven't yet posted!

Chaplain Updates

Patrick King is back — San Diego opportunities opened up literally in the couple of weeks after he stepped back and he's thankfully stepped back into a chaplain role with us. Patrick is an EPC pastor in San Diego and we will have this amazing story on our website in the next week or so about how he's now been invited in to come alongside of a player Bible study as they go through the Gospel of John.

Patrick King is back in San Diego

Lis Cheesman is co-chaplain to NWSL in CO

Lis Cheesman has begun her work as co-chaplain to the NWSL's Denver Summit FC. You can read more about her and her story here. And her profile is up on our website. Please, get to know her a little bit better so that you can pray for her! She had a meeting with the team this past week and she described it as a really sweet time. She is a co-chaplain with Jess Caldwell. Both ladies have been connected to Valor Christian and there was a player that played for both Lis (soccer) and Jess (basketball). Needless to say, it was a blessed reunion of sorts.

We've also had another 180° turn with another of our chaplains — in Knoxville. Kyle Landis was ready to move on, but he's meeting with some players to see if they'd be interested for him to help lead their Bible study and help disciple a number of players who are growing in their faith. More to come here soon, too.

We currently have 4 other active chaplain placements that are nearing finish lines including a youth club in Louisiana and a couple of pro clubs in the United Soccer League (USL). Pray that God would grant His favor for putting His people into these strategic and important kingdom positions.

DID YOU KNOW? A single volunteer chaplain can have significant touch points with approximately 150 people at a soccer club? Athletes, coaches, staff, family members and others in the community can all be resourced by a volunteer chaplain in the soccer space.

Board Members

BOARD MEMBERS FOR SCU: Commit to meet (via zoom or in person) quarterly and some emergency meetings, help make decisions about ministry direction, help raise 20% of our annual budget (either personally giving or helping get from other sources), and are invited to retreat annually in Colorado to build camaraderie and knowledge of our chaplains and our ministry.

Financial Update

Special thanks to some church partners who have gotten behind us for 2026 again. Maybe if you're ever in their area, please be sure to visit and say thanks!

Cherry Creek Presbyterian in Denver, CO has been amazing church partners since 2016!

The members of Grace Community in Surprise, AZ have been a blessing with increased support this year!

1st CRC Sioux Center (Iowa) got behind placing a chaplain in 2025 and are currently considering supporting again!

Greater Portland Bible Church are massive supporters of Chaplain Troy Ready with the Portland Timbers and we are thankful for them!

CHURCH PARTNERS are those financially supporting the work and ministry of Soccer Chaplains United and we come alongside of them to offer soccer gear for their various short-term ministry trips as well as providing other ways to engage and help us in supporting the soccer community!

Community Engagement

FIFA World Cup 2026

A big question for this year is WHAT ARE WE DOING FOR WORLD CUP? Well, we've had some good friends of the ministry come through with an exciting idea: what about creating a commemorative World Cup sticker to accompany a copy of The Soccer Psalms? We would then look to "gift" a certain number of books to local, area Christian high schools and soccer programs.

We currently have $1000 earmarked for this project, and we'd love to see this grow with some other donors or maybe churches getting behind this with gifting children playing with different school and youth club and collegiate teams.

If you'd like to be a patron (or your church) and become involved with this project, please send me (Brad) an email at: brad@soccerchaplainsunited.org.

Community Projects for 2026

We've had two community project requests

Learn more about our community projects program and apply here.

From The Touchline Podcast

Don't miss out on our latest episodes of the From The Touchline podcast, where we discuss the intersection of faith and soccer with insightful guests and stories. Stay connected and subscribe here.