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Why Have a Truck Stop Ministry?
When a truck driver leaves home for an extended time to deliver freight, it may be weeks until that driver returns. During that time, the driver faces many stresses, trials, temptations and loneliness. All of these stresses can be magnified tremendously during the long hours a driver spends alone and far from home.
Truck stops serve as a ‘home away from home’ and drivers may seek relationships that will fill the void that being separated from their family and friends has created. When a chaplain is stationed at a truck stop, these drivers can have their relational and spiritual needs met.
Our Mission and Purpose
Carlisle Truck Stop Ministry, Inc. ministers to the physical and spiritual needs of the truckers and travelers who use the truck stops and terminals along the busy section of U.S. Route 11 just east of Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
This stretch of Route 11 is known as ‘The Miracle Mile’ because it is a connecting corridor between Interstate 81 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike. This highway sees well over a million vehicles each month and has the heaviest tractor-trailer traffic anywhere on the East Coast.
In addition to the thousands of truck drivers who patronize the truck stops each day, thousands more pass by on their way to one of over 60 terminals and warehouses which are located within ten miles of this area. These facilities operate on a 24/7 basis.
The enormous number of people represented by these vehicles translates into a need for the availability of pastoral care, for where crowds this large gather for employment and commerce, extraordinary needs will be represented.
Our purpose is to demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ through meeting the emergency and spiritual needs of truckers, travelers and employees by:
- Being ‘someone who cares’ for the trucker / traveler who is lonely and far from home.
- Providing listening, comfort, counsel, spiritual guidance and a reminder of God’s love.
- Providing the trucker / traveler prayer, comfort and assistance during times of personal crisis.
- Providing transportation, meals, limited financial aid, and connections to local support agencies.
This assistance is provided without regard to gender, race, religion or economic status.
