From The Touchline | Soccer Chaplains United

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From the Touchline is a short-feature (usually 10 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, fami…

Rev Brad Kenney

Denver, Colorado

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    • May 28, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 22m AVG DURATION
    • 313 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from From The Touchline | Soccer Chaplains United

    Emmaus: Making Faith Sense of Mental Health, Part Four

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2025 21:57


    This is the last in our series on mental health that we've been talking about through the month of May. How can one's faith inform and help heal and sustain our mental health challenges and struggles? The story of Jesus encountering two disciples on the road to Emmaus, found in Luke 24:13-36, is a story […]

    Emmaus: Making Faith Sense of Mental Health, Part Three

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2025 25:53


    May is mental health awareness month. Mental health is an important issue in sports and especially elite level soccer. As a chaplain, I believe that Christian faith can help with mental health challenges and struggles, but I think sometimes we don't understand or see the different stories and tools and resources that are needed or […]

    Emmaus: Making Faith Sense of Mental Health, Part Two

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2025 25:00


    May is usually carries an emphasis on mental health. Mental health is a massive issue in professional sports, especially soccer. So, as a chaplain, I have been asking, “how can we integrate more of our Christian faith so that it helps with our mental health?” I think certain texts in the Bible stand out to […]

    Emmaus: Making Faith Sense of Mental Health, Part One

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2025 21:31


    I have podcasted before on The Emmaus Road as a biblical text that helps us to make sense of grief, but as Luke 24:13-35 is one of my favorite texts, it has grown on me a bit more with some new and different insights and I wanted to revisit it again during this month of […]

    The Soccer Psalms – Psalm 137

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2025 13:22


    Psalm 137 is one of those parts of the Bible that can make someone cringe if we don't look deeper into the text and historical context…known as an “imprecatory psalm” is calls about a curse for a particular city and its people. Can we do that as Christians? It's a little bit longer of a […]

    The Soccer Psalms – Psalm 134

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2025 6:36


    Psalm 134 is a song that would have been sung by worshippers as they were leaving the temple in Jerusalem and are blessing the Levite workers who remain there readying the temple for the next day. In the Soccer Psalm version from my recent book, I've imagined Psalm 134 to come out like a song […]

    The Soccer Psalms – Psalm 22

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2025 14:33


    Today, on the podcast, we look at Psalm 22 in both the Bible and the Soccer Psalm from my recent book. Psalm 22 is the most-oft quoted psalm in the New Testament. All four Gospel writers talk of Jesus saying the opening lines from the cross. The psalm gives language to a person who feels […]

    The Soccer Psalms – Psalm 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2025 8:34


    Today, on the podcast, we continue going through The Soccer Psalms. I read the 2nd Psalm and Soccer Psalm from my recent book, and offer a reflection and mediation on understanding that there is evil in the world. How do we reconcile that evil with a God who is supposedly “good”? And the fact that […]

    The Soccer Psalms – Psalm 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2025 11:44


    Today, on the podcast, I read—Psalm 1 and Soccer Psalm 1—from my recent book, The Soccer Psalms. In the reflection and mediation questions, we consider what it looks like to live a life as a footballer and as a person that follows a road which seeks out the pathway of God. Psalm 1 is the […]

    Episode 303 in the 303 – A Celebratory Review of the Podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2025 42:41


    A few weeks ago, we hit a major milestone with the From the Touchline podcast: 300 episodes. This is episode #303 and in honor of living and working and being in the 303 area code (Denver), we're going to take a look back on the past. All the while, I've been working to create a […]

    Prayer – The Lord’s Prayer as a Game Plan for Life

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2025 28:43


    Prayer is one of the pivotal practices that Christian people focus in on during the season of Lent and the lead up to Easter. Prayer is perhaps one of the most foundational aspects of Christian living because it is about a conversation with God and sometimes we struggle to know what to say or what […]

    Fasting – A Faithful Practice for Football

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2025 23:26


    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, […]

    Giving—The Call, Challenge, and Comfort

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2025 26:42


    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 […]

    Ramadan and Ash Wednesday in Professional Soccer

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2025 17:02


    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 […]

    A Blessing for Football Work

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2025 13:05


    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 […]

    The Power of an Introduction

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2025 11:50


    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 […]

    Bless Everything: A Prayer Posture for Chaplains

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2025 17:41


    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 […]

    The Soccer Psalms – Psalm 131

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2025 7:51


    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 […]

    The Soccer Psalms – Psalm 13

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2025 8:39


    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, […]

    The Soccer Psalms – Psalm 11

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2025 8:12


    This past December, I released a new book, The Soccer Psalms, as a self-published. (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 […]

    The Soccer Psalms – Psalm 6

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2025 9:00


    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, […]

    The Soccer Psalms – Psalm 4

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 2025 8:06


    This past December, I released a new book, The Soccer Psalms! You can also find The Football Psalms (a British version) if you appreciate the different terms around the game. Both books are available on Amazon and contain 31 psalms that have been translated into “soccer psalms” — with words, language, and metaphors that connect […]

    A Christmas Special — O Holy Night

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 25, 2024 6:18


    Today, December 25, is Christmas Day. Billy Cerveny, a chaplain with Soccer Chaplains United, shares his musical gifts with a rendition of O Holy Night. Have a blessed Christmas and see you in the New Year of 2025! From the Touchline is a short-feature (10-15 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director […]

    The Soccer Psalms – Psalm 127

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2024 7:42


    The Soccer Psalms! Just in time for Christmas, I am releasing a new book. You can also find The Football Psalms (an anglicized version) if you appreciate the different terms around the game. The books are available on Amazon and contains 31 psalms that have been translated into “soccer psalms.” I include some reflection on […]

    The Soccer Psalms – Psalm 133

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2024 7:39


    The Soccer Psalms! Just in time for Christmas, I am releasing a new book. You can also find The Football Psalms (an anglicized version) if you appreciate the different terms around the game. The books are available on Amazon and contains 31 psalms that have been translated into “soccer psalms.” I include some reflection on […]

    The Soccer Psalms – Psalm 23

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2024 7:50


    The Soccer Psalms! Just in time for Christmas, I am releasing a new book. You can also find The Football Psalms (an anglicized version) if you appreciate the different terms around the game. The books are available on Amazon and contains 31 psalms that have been translated into “soccer psalms.” I include some reflection on […]

    My Soccer Story, Part 2 – Rev Brad

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2024 12:16


    Sometimes our story doesn't quite go the way that we think it should. God often has plans for us (if we will see them) that go beyond our wildest dreams. My story and journey with soccer is very much like this — I would never have thought that I would be doing the work that I […]

    My Soccer Story – Rev Brad

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2024 12:56


    People always think that a chaplain in soccer must have played at a high level of the game. This is a bad misnomer, but usually chaplains in soccer have some love and affinity and connection to the game. And the same holds true for myself, (Rev Brad). Today, on the podcast, we dip back into […]

    In-between Saint Martin and Advent

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2024 10:54


    Saint Martin of Tours' Feast Day was November 11 — also known as Veteran's Day (US) and Remembrance Day (UK). Advent (Celtic) begins November 15 — this season of 40 days preceding Christmas is a time of preparation and reflection. So what to talk about on the podcast that is sandwiched between the two? Today, on […]

    Chaplain Appreciation: Meet Chaplain Jason Rollins – Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2024 32:52


    Last month was Pastor/Chaplain Appreciation Month and we took time to feature some of our new chaplains with Soccer Chaplains United this year. Well, we've added so many new people that we thought we'd carry on that we couldn't contain into just one month and we love our volunteer chaplains because they serve so willingly […]

    Chaplain Appreciation: Meet Chaplain Jason Rollins – Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2024 35:52


    October is Pastor/Chaplain Appreciation Month. All month long we're featuring some of our new chaplains on the podcast because we really appreciate our volunteer people who serve without renumeration or much glory. Today, on the podcast, it's part one of my interview with Jason Rollins. Jason has been serving as volunteer chaplain to Colorado Springs […]

    Chaplain Appreciation: Meet Chaplain Geraud Brumfield – Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2024 26:38


    During the month of October we are featuring some of our chaplains and the excellent work they provide to the soccer teams and clubs they serve. It's Chaplain Appreciation Month and we really appreciate our chaplains who serve without renumeration or much glory. Today, on the podcast, it's part 2 of my interview with Geraud […]

    Chaplain Appreciation: Meet Chaplain Geraud Brumfield – Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2024 34:24


    October is Chaplain Appreciation Month. It's a time when we at Soccer Chaplains United highlight and acknowledge the great people that work with us and serve particular soccer clubs and teams. Today, on the podcast, special guest, Geraud Brumfield. Geraud serves as the volunteer chaplain to Central Valley Fuego FC. He began serving just a […]

    Chaplain Appreciation: Meet Chaplain Ben Pflederer – Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2024 36:51


    This week is part 2 of an interview with Volunteer Chaplain Ben Pflederer. During the month of October in honor of Pastoral Appreciation/Chaplain Appreciation Month we will be interviewing and highlighting some of our newest and best and brightest people involved with Soccer Chaplains United. Today, on the podcast, in part 2 with Ben we […]

    Chaplain Appreciation: Meet Chaplain Ben Pflederer – Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2024 27:18


    October is Pastoral Appreciation Month and that means it is Chaplain Appreciation Month, too. It's a time to acknowledge the work, the love, and the care provided by the best asset of Soccer Chaplains United, our people! Today, on the podcast, I interview Chaplain Ben Pflederer. Ben serves as the volunteer chaplain to the Colorado […]

    Meeting Alex Hunter (Again): Letting God Help Our Responses

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2024 11:52


    Alex Hunter is a fictional character that is playable in several versions of EA Sports Fifa video game. As a character, his storyline and attempt to become a big time footballer is a bit of a “Choose Your Own Adventure” element to one of the most popular video game franchises of all time. What response […]

    Amma Syncletica: A Revisiting

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2024 12:44


    Amma Syncletica is one of those women who paid a dear price to follow Christian faith. And she's known for one of the most intriguing statements for her time. Those who are great athletes must contend against powerful enemies. These are powerful words for a 4th century Desert Mother, even more so for her day […]

    Remembrance: A Reflection on 9/11

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2024 10:11


    Most Americans will remember where they were on September 11, 2001. It was a terrible day of tragedy and shock. 23 years later, the world looks very differently than it did before then. And 9/11 was one of those moments which stopped the global game of soccer the world 'round. Today, on the podcast, I […]

    Running Free: A Reflection from Psalm 119

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2024 10:11


    There's often a choice facing a coach prior to match day — do we play our game, or do we adapt and change because of the opponent we're facing or the situation and circumstances? Most would say a team ought to play to their strengths and just be themselves. But how do we cope when that […]

    Soccer Chaplain Myth 4: Chaplains Just There For the Bad Stuff

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2024 11:39


    I once had a coach say to me, “I guess chaplains are just there for when things go wrong…” I lament that my apologetic for soccer chaplaincy and our conversation had led him to that conclusion. It's a common myth, though, that chaplains are only there for people when bad stuff happens. Of course, we […]

    Soccer Chaplain Myth 3: Chaplains Praying for Wins?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2024 18:14


    Sometimes people ask me, “Rev, do you pray for wins?” What usually follows is, at least for me, an interesting conversation if we have the time to get into it. But a common myth or belief that chaplains (or, simply, Christian people who enjoy sports) can fall prey to, is believing that somehow one's prayers […]

    Soccer Chaplain Myth 2: “Chaplains for all…”

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2024


    Much of my work outside of being the lead volunteer chaplain to the Colorado Rapids is working to develop chaplaincy with other teams in North America. This involves educating teams on what chaplaincy is and what chaplaincy isn't. As I have different conversations and interactions with coaches, executives, and owners around the various leagues, one […]

    Soccer Chaplain Myth 1: “You Must Have Played…”

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2024


    Sometimes when I introduce myself and share about the work that I do as volunteer chaplain to a professional soccer team, people don't even stop to ask. Instead, they just say, “Oh, you must have played soccer at a high level…” Well, truth be told, I was never going to rise to such a level […]

    Halftime: Iron Sharpening

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2024


    So much soccer is happening this summer, and much of it has an international flavor and a unique sense of competition — whether we're talking about the Euros, Copa America, the Olympics, or Leagues Cup — the opportunity to watch the teams and athletes on these varied and different stages represents something different and unique […]

    Halftime: Yellowstone is Wild

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2024


    I shared. last week, a reflection from a recent family vacation to Yellowstone National Park. This week, another reflection from my time there and this time it has to do with the wildness that we encountered there. It might seem a far stretch to speak about wildness and connect it somehow into faith and football, […]

    Halftime: Yellowstone is like Heaven

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2024


    A return from family vacation last week to Yellowstone National Park has been reflecting on a couple of things. Perhaps, the greatest takeaway is that I imagine that Yellowstone is something like Heaven — indescribable, unimaginable, and more. Even like certain elements of the Beautiful Game — there is just a limit to how much one can […]

    Halftime: Platforms and Politics

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2024


    One of the headlines that is seemingly more and more fused with football is the issue of politics. A few weeks ago, high profile players came out and urged young people in their nation to get out and vote. Around the world, there has been a rise of the “activist super-player” who seemingly has more […] The post Halftime: Platforms and Politics first appeared on Soccer Chaplains United.

    Halftime: Differences in Freedom

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2024


    Currently, in the U.S., there are two days set aside for recognizing freedom: Juneteenth (June 19) and July 4th. One celebrates a freedom fought for and won from British colonialism, the other celebrates the eventual and final execution of a proclamation of freedom. Today, on the podcast, in the time that a team might have […] The post Halftime: Differences in Freedom first appeared on Soccer Chaplains United.

    June Soccer with Jordan – Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2024


    Today on the podcast, it is part 2 of my conversation with Jordan Medas. Jordan serves as a volunteer chaplain with Soccer Chaplains United and as the East Coast Chaplain Manager. Jordan and I continue our reflections about the 2022 Men's World Cup Devotional and the subsequent (2024) revision, The Light is Coming. Jordan and […] The post June Soccer with Jordan – Part 2 first appeared on Soccer Chaplains United.

    June Soccer with Jordan – Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2024


    Today on the podcast, I am joined by Jordan Medas. Jordan is a volunteer chaplain with Soccer Chaplains United and he serves as the East Coast Chaplain Manager. Jordan's first time on the podcast, we take a little bit of time to get to know him better and understand his story of coming to serve […] The post June Soccer with Jordan – Part 1 first appeared on Soccer Chaplains United.

    June Soccer with Jubal – Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2024


    Jubal McDaniel joins me today for part 2 of our June Soccer series. Jubal is the volunteer chaplain for the Tacoma Defiance and serves as the Soccer Chaplains United Pacific Coast Chaplain Manager and our conversation has centered around the two devotional books that we worked on — for the recent World Cups and the […] The post June Soccer with Jubal – Part 2 first appeared on Soccer Chaplains United.

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