Stories to Share

The Concacaf Gold Cup was five weeks long. I (Andy) coordinated with the players, staff, and the other two senior team chaplains, Jed and Shea, to create a streamlined and consistent chaplaincy experience. I was in-person with the team for two stints, covering their time in three cities, and led/gave oversight to the others guiding a series on the attributes of God based on AW Tozer’s book, Knowledge of the Holy. Thirteen of the 26 players connected with me in either a group or individual meetings. And, FUN FACT: the Union had 7 current or former players on the roster—we see how this highlights the value of our local ministry week-in and week-out here in Philadelphia.

On Palm Sunday, I led a pregame chapel on Jesus’ last entry into Jerusalem with the Jamaican National Team. I (Andy) scavenged some palm leaves from around our hotel pool area in Dallas, fashioning them into crosses for the Jamaican players during my Uber ride over to their hotel. One of the players for Jamaica that attended chapel scored the lone goal that gave his team the bronze medal in the tournament. Right after he scored, he showed the crowd and all watching on TV who he was playing for by making a cross with his fingers during his goal celebration. He mentioned Jesus' sacrifice again in his post-game interview.

“Chaplains have been a tremendous resource for me. They really help me stay in routine and stay ready for the trainings and games from a mental but also a spiritual perspective. The chaplains have helped foster closer relationships amongst my teammates too. Through the chapels and other programming, I have made a lot of connections with people that extend outside of camp and continue on down the line - being there for each other and understanding certain struggles or successes that I wouldn’t have known about. Chaplaincy has really created a bigger family and support system in my journey and career as a professional player.”

I (Crystal) was invited to attend Holly’s kindergarten graduation. What a special mile-marker celebration! I remember her, Alice, and Kay’s introduction to this school: It was their first week in West Chester, having found out three weeks prior (while in an Ecuadorian refugee camp) that their request for asylum had been approved–and that the county willing to take them in was the United States. Under the August heat, Alice and I were clumsily using Google translate to communicate, and I held Holly’s hand as she tentatively maneuvered her tiny lanky limbs around the playset. The first week of class, as I helped get her on and off the bus, I remember being in awe of her brave and bright-eyed manner despite not knowing anyone or what anyone around her said.

Now, at graduation, she ran into my arms, notably taller, grinning with a newly gap-filled smile, making jokes in English, and pointing out her friends. On our picnic blanket, she slowly flipped through her sketch journal, showing her mom and sister the pictures and sentences she had made each week about her life here…her first Halloween, building a snowman with me, and on it went.

This month, we learned that Laura and her son get to stay–and work!--in the US while waiting for their asylum application to be reviewed! This is great news, because before this, we thought they may have to leave in August. Now they are eligible for my Resettlement Team's affordable housing option and we are in the process of structuring their lease. (Alice's family is moving into the neighboring unit this week!) After months of weighty uncertainty, receiving this news was a big deal.

“I was able to see [Laura] today. She has a gigantic smile on her face and is truly grateful!!!! It has been a pleasure working with you and getting to know you. I have enjoyed our partnership as well as the conversations!“

“Thanks so much for organizing this session. It was great to hear the stories of some of the team members and realize we follow the sam God and face the same challenges in our spiritual journey. We appreciate feeling a little more connected with the Union and will be praying for the players, staff, and team admin.”

I (Andy) was invited, alongside the 3 other city pro sport chaplains (MLS, NBA, NFL, & MLB), to speak at the Movement Day hosted by the Philadelphia Gospel Movement. Back in 2010, we were at the first ever Movement Day in NYC, which was spearheaded by Tim Keller among others, with our Philly staff team. Speaking at this sister conference that has since emerged in our own city that we love was a sweet full-circle moment for Andy.