Support for Truck Drivers’ Spiritual Growth
JACKSON, Ga. — Being an over-the-road truck driver can make attending church regularly or adhering to religious teachings quite challenging. To address this, one organization aims to support drivers in nurturing their spiritual connection with God.
Origins of Truckstop Ministries
Founded in 1981 by truck driver Joe Hunter after a life-changing accident led to his conversion to Christianity, Truckstop Ministries is a nonprofit group based in Jackson, Georgia. After becoming an ordained minister, Hunter realized the difficulty of finding time for worship while driving.
Growth of the Organization
“Our truck-stop ministry reaches drivers who didn’t have a place to plug into it,” explained Traci Isbell, general assistant and webmaster for Truckstop Ministries. Initially, Hunter started with just one Bible study at an Atlanta truck stop, and for five years, that was its sole focus. Nearly 40 years later, the organization now runs about 72 locations, having operated as many as 84, primarily in Georgia, Florida, and California.
Current Leadership and Offerings
After the passing of its founder “Pastor Joe” in 2018, David Owen took over the leadership of the ministry. Truckstop Ministries supplies drivers with New Testament Bibles and CDs featuring sermons by Hunter or Owen.
Challenges and Adaptations During COVID-19
According to Isbell, who has been with the ministry for 14 years, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted operations significantly, with each of the 72 locations responding differently. During peak lockdown, only around 19 locations remained open due to the high-risk demographic of many volunteers, primarily retirees over 65. “We left it up to the teams and team leaders to decide if they wanted to stay open,” she noted.
Continuing Support for Drivers
The chapel in Kingdom City, Missouri, recently reopened after a six-week closure. While traffic has been slow, drivers have appreciated one-on-one time with the site’s chaplain. Despite some closures, the Truckstop Ministries prayer line remains available. Isbell expressed gratitude for unexpected donations, indicating the organization’s financial health during these trying times.
Innovation in Outreach
One aspect unaffected by the pandemic is the missionary driver program, which maintains 15 trained ministers who actively minister to OTR drivers. As Isbell remarked, adapting to the evolving trucking industry has been essential, focusing more on individual interactions as stricter schedules make it harder for drivers to stop. The ministry has also harnessed digital platforms for outreach, showcasing virtual services and receiving positive feedback from participants.
To learn more about the initiatives of Truckstop Ministries, visit www.truckstopministries.org.
