2021 Annual Report
From the Director The shadow of COVID-19 and all that went on in 2020 loomed over the 2021 season like a heavy fog — professional teams placed severe restrictions on whom was allowed in and around the athletes, coaches, and staff. College teams had seen whole seasons delayed or unplayed because of the pandemic, a wave of high school seniors now found their college hopes and dreams put on hold — less scholarship money, less playing time and a host of other factors plaguing the college game. High school and club soccer had previously seen seasons cancelled or truncated. For Soccer Chaplains United, the last two years have represented some of the most challenging and some of the most unique of times. Some highlights from the last two years include making 4 chaplaincy placements, creatively offering several digital moments of chaplaincy through the SoccrChapUtd app, virtual Ash Wednesday and Holy Week services, Zoom Bible studies and meetings, as well as voice memo prayer recordings to athletes, coaches, and staff members we serve. Different teams had different restrictions and each and every team faced different adversities — from athletes unable to travel back to home countries and separated from families; social justice issues in cities and on campuses; and other, more intimate and personal issues around the pandemic including major depression and other mental health challenges. The last two years have demonstrated some of the greatest need for the personal and pastoral presence of a chaplain during such times. Amongst the challenges organizationally, beyond some of the teams closed to in-person chaplains has been the financial support drop off. Soccer Chaplains United has seen a 27% decline in giving over the past two years. This coupled with the rising costs associated with inflation and lingering effects of the pandemic has seen the organization in its greatest position of financial need since 2015. Fortunately, these losses have been offset by I believe that God supplies for what God desires to see accomplished for His Kingdom’s sake and as soccer continues to grow at a torrid pace here in North America (an estimated 50 new professional teams between 2022 and 2023 across different professional leagues) we do not feel that our charge to place chaplains across all levels of the game of soccer has in any way been diminished by the financial downturn. It is with a heart of hope and an eye toward the future, that I submit this annual report for 2021. Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director
Report Contents
Chaplain Team and Chaplaincy (p.4-11)
Community Projects (p.12-15)
Financial Outlook (p.16-19)
Get Involved and Acknoweldgements (p.20-21)
Soccer Chaplains United United by a common code and shared vision to provide spiritual care, wise counsel, and meaningful service for soccer.
Team
Chaplain Team
Brad Kenney, MLS
Ben Dudley, MLS
Troy Ready, MLS
Billy Cerveny, MLS
Christina Garber, NWSL
Greg Aydt, USL
Erick Jiménez, USL
Jubal McDaniel, USL
Clint Moore, USL
Isidro Piña, USL
Kurt Trempert, USL
Kimberly Beach, NAIA
Ryan Doyle, Div II-A, HS
Greg Navitsky, 5-A, HS
Jordan Medas, Club soccer
Cesar Duran
Ricardo Orellana
5-Year Chaplaincy Growth (2017-2021) Chaplains at start
Chaplains +
Chaplains -
Total
18
17 14
14 11
17
17
14
11
9
8 5
5
-5
5
4
3 0
8
3
0
0 -1
2017
2018
1
-2
2019
-1
2020
2021
Summary Beginning in 2017 with the re-branding to Soccer Chaplains United, the past five years have seen somewhat steady growth of chaplains (5 to 17) who are part of Soccer Chaplains United. The vision of chaplaincy expanded some in 2019, with an added emphasis to grow chaplains in soccer across all levels of the game, this includes high school and club soccer, areas where there are few chaplains serving, currently. Amongst the losses on the chaplaincy side (4), the sources of loss have been for personal heath reasons or for growing family needs. Perhaps the biggest losses have been with the Charlotte Independence and Moody Bible Institute where we have been unsuccessful to find or place replacement chaplains, to date. For the past two years (2020/21), the effects of the pandemic have seen the chaplaincy growth and placement for Soccer Chaplains United plateau a bit, but soccer continues to grow in the midst of these times and we are anticipating that the chaplain group will begin growing again in the next two years.
2-Year Anticipated Chaplaincy Growth (2022-2023)
2022 and 2023 All MLS teams within 2 years will have their own “2” teams — these will be staffed and rostered similarly to many USL teams, likely sharing front office staff and resources. This will provide a clearer pathway for MLS Academy players to stay within the confines of their professional club. We anticipate that each MLS 2 team — Colorado, Portland, and Nashville will need a separate volunteer chaplain to cover the “2” team and staff. Two of our USL teams (Colorado Springs and New Mexico) are actively working to bring assistant chaplains to help cover with the ministry work there, these placements are likely during 2022. There are two potential pro team placements in NISA — in Michigan and in Chattanooga (with Rod) that could be placed as early as 2022. Finally, there are three potential high school chaplaincy placements — Colorado Springs Christian and Denver Christian (Colorado), and Cascade Christian (Washington) that are in beginning conversations.
Chaplaincy Landscape Overview (Professional)
Pro Teams at start of 2022 Soccer Chaplains United currently serves the following professional soccer teams: Major League Soccer
National Women’s Soccer League
United Soccer League — Championship
Chaplaincy Landscape Overview (College/High School/Club)
Amateur Teams at start of 2022 Soccer Chaplains United currently serves the following amateur soccer teams: College
High School
Club/Regional
Chaplaincy Impact
How many people is a chaplain directly available to serve?
20-50 Front Office and/or Executive Staff
10+ Coaching/Support Staff
20-30+ Athletes
1 Chaplain
The above chart shows an approximation of the number of people that a chaplain serves in a typical soccer team or organization. There are some variations at different levels of the game — for example, a collegiate team unlikely has 20 front office staff members but there may be college faculty or staff with similar roles. Additionally, consider a minimum of a x2 multiplier when considering the different families and family members that are represented with a particular segment of the team or organization.
Stories of Chaplaincy Impact “[The chaplain] is the greatest example of servant leadership I have seen. I have been around a lot of church folks, bible studies, and small groups…he’s the cultural glue for the team at the moment…” - professional head coach “[The chaplain] is one of the greatest influences in my life! He walked alongside me and my family (and has with countless other professionals) through the many highs and lows during my time in soccer. My family flew into Denver this week to head to the mountains for a ski trip. We didn’t visit the stadium for a walk down memory lane. But we did connect with [the chaplain]. [The chaplain] did what he always does - he served us. He picked us up at the airport. Took us to get some food. Then to his house. He played laser tag with my oldest, while his wife played with my two youngest. Then he gave us some [team] gear and let us borrow his car for the week. [The chaplain’s] work isn’t sexy. It’s probably nothing of what you imagine. But it’s crucial to the health and well-being of athletes, their family’s, coaches and staff. I don’t know where I’d be without people like [the chaplain] in my life, but I do know that I’d be worse off without ‘em.” - former professional athlete “I knew [the chaplain] loved us today when I saw her at practice. [The chaplain] says she loves us. She tells us Jesus loves us. But today she was standing in pouring rain waiting for the chance to tell us again that God loves us very much.” Another player added, “yes, but she left as soon as the warm-up was over.” “Yes, but [the chaplain] had been setting up cones for an hour in pouring rain before they had arrived to begin practice.” “That’s love,” another replied. - college players talking about their team chaplain over dinner
Each story or quote above has already been made public or Soccer Chaplains United has been given express, written permission to utilize it here in our annual report with its format as a means of sharing the impact of chaplaincy.
Community Projects
3-Year Community Project Overview Total Weight of Gear 1300
1,289
975
905
650
444 325
0
2019
2020
2021
Effects of the Pandemic Perhaps nowhere else were the effects of the pandemic felt or more noticeable than in our Community Project program. In 2019, 9 different projects went to 9 different countries and in total, Soccer Chaplains United gave away over 1250 lbs. of soccer gear (our first year to use weight as a metric). In 2020, 2 projects, both destined for separate countries in Africa, didn’t leave the country until early 2021. One of these (Musana Community - Uganda) represented our largest project ever with over 850 lbs. of gear donated to help fill two shipping containers that had been converted into school rooms. 2021 also saw 2 projects (CCPC - Mexico and Valor - Guatemala), but a significant drop off in requests for soccer gear with church and non-profit partners unable to travel internationally for a large part of the last two years.
Community Project 2021 Juárez, MX
Members of Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church and Iglesia Maranatha Presbiteriana pose after playing fútbol together after church.
“Sports (soccer) is such a great way to communicate with others when you don’t speak the same language.” ~ Echo
Hand Out!
Pack
Sort
Juárez, MX in fall of 2021 was the biggest project fulfillment of the year with over 350 lbs. of soccer gear.
Community Project 2021 Zacapa, GT “Soccer was…everywhere we went. We were able to use it to connect and form friendships with the people we met, and I know God was present while we shared this passion with the people of Guatemala.” ~ Lauren
“I loved playing soccer with the kids because I saw a joy that I don’t encounter often. We were playing on the side of a mountain…and there were lots of things that had the ability to damper the fun of soccer; however, the kids…had a lot of fun laughing. In the end, we gave the community a soccer ball from Soccer Chaplains United where they will be able to practice and play whenever they want.” ~ Zac “I played soccer with a lot of them and the kids were having a great time. I also got to jump rope and dance with a lot of the girls. I made a connection with a girl named Gracie. I had braids in my hair and most of the girls want us to braid their hair. I braided Gracie’s hair and she had such a big smile on her face. The girls kept asking a lot of us to be their ‘Madrina’ (godmother)…” ~ Annika
Financial Outlook
Financial Health 2021 Individual Donors Found./Church
Tax Advantage Giving Other (Amzn)
Membership Dues Board Donations
22% 0% 6% 1%
Summary
Percentage of Income by Source
55%
16%
For 2021, Soccer Chaplains United proposed, budgeted income was $105,439 and proposed, budget expenditures were $104,918. Total actual income was $100,351. Total actual expenditures were $98,573. The actual income, though, is slightly misleading as the 2020 PPP loan of $14,635 was converted from liability to asset with loan forgiveness in March 2021. Additionally, a second PPP loan of $13,777 was applied for and granted in March 2021. It was forgiven in November of 2021. The PPP monies are not represented in the bar and pie graph charts above. Please see the next page with adjusted total charts. For 2021, Soccer Chaplains United received $70,618 in income aside from designated donations and fees towards specific chaplaincy teams (Tacoma and Memphis). The 2021 income was the lowest amount raised since 2015 ($50,231). The Board of Directors directly contributed and/or raised $15,213, its highest-ever amount in organizational history, besting 2019’s previous record of $14,900.
Historical Income Totals
Adjusted Totals
$100,000.00
$100,000.00
$75,000.00
$75,000.00
$50,000.00
$50,000.00
$25,000.00
$25,000.00
$0.00
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
$0.00
Expenses $0.00
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Adjusted Totals
Expenses
$100,000.00 $75,000.00
-$25,000.00
$50,000.00 -$50,000.00 $25,000.00 -$75,000.00
-$100,000.00
$0.00 -$25,000.00 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Summary The above charts shows the financial path of Soccer Chaplains United since 2015. The first chart (upper left) shows total income. The best year of income was 2019, with $96,634 raised. The second chart (upper right) shows adjusted totals based upon receiving PPP loan monies for 2020 and 2021 during the COVID-19 global pandemic. The PPP amounts were in the amount of $14,635 and $13,777, respectively. Each loan has qualified and received full forgiveness. The third chart (lower left) shows the annual expenditures for Soccer Chaplains United since 2015. 2021 had the largest historical expenditure of $98,573. The last chart (lower right) shows the adjusted total amounts against expenditures. Years in which Soccer Chaplains United took losses (2017, 2020, and 2021) are demonstrated by the red line below $0. Soccer Chaplains United operates with a debt-free, no-loan policy and program with oversight from the Board of Directors.
2021 Expenditure Breakdown Program
Admin
Fundraising
8%
18%
74%
Every dollar spent by Soccer Chaplains United gets broken down into three categories: Program, Administrative/General Operation Costs, and Fundraising. Program expenditures include those related to direct chaplaincy program costs — including the discovery and development of new chaplains and the chaplaincy for specific teams*. General/Administrative include Director’s and Officers insurance, banking/charge fees, website, and other cost of doing business types of expenditures. Fundraising expenses include special event or emphases toward donor development.
Soccer Chaplains United aspires toward an 80-10-10 expenditure ratio: 80% program, 10% administrative, and 10% fundraising.
*Only reported costs for specific team chaplaincy are included. Currently, 3 of 11 teams serviced by Soccer Chaplains are reimbursing certain team chaplaincy costs and expenditures and at varying levels based on fundraising.
Get In The Game With Us Donate By Mail:
Soccer Chaplains United PO Box 102018 Denver, CO 80250
Secure, electronic: via PushPay
Website soccerchaplainsunited.org
E-mail info@soccerchaplainsunited.org
App SoccrChapUtd for iOS SoccrChapUtd for Android
Podcast From the Touchline | Apple Podcasts
Acknowledgements
Photography • Cover photo by Md Mahdi; via Instant Images and covered by Creative Commons License • From the Director photo by Shapelined; via Instant Images and covered by Creative Commons License • Team photo by Jeffrey F Lin; via Instant Images and covered by Creative Commons License • Maps created via Google maps • Soccer stick figures: iStock-1203948784; standard license purchased 1/21/22 • Community project graph photo: iStock-615633948; standard license purchased 5/15/17 • Mexico flag: free download from WallpaperAccess • Guatemala flag: free download from Wallpaper Access • Financial outlook photo: iStock-172225226; standard license purchased 8/11/10 • From the Touchline podcast cover art: edited iStock-116720276; standard license purchased 6/24/11 All team logos (pages 7 & 8) are owned by the sports teams and used under fair use or with permission. All other photographs, graphs, charts, and images are produced, owned, or have been granted permission for use by Soccer Chaplains United.