What is Carlisle Truck Stop Ministry, Inc?
Carlisle Truck Stop Ministry, Inc. is a non-denominational, non-profit, religious organization under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Ministry is overseen by a Board of Directors who are members of any number of Christian denominations that believe in the deity of Christ Jesus and acknowledge that He is the only way to salvation. The Directors are representative of as many different denominations as possible, and as such, no one denomination holds a majority.
Our Board of Directors
Our Doctrinal Statement
Carlisle Truck Stop Ministry, Inc. is a non-denominational Christian organization. We believe in the following Articles of Faith:
- The personality and Trinity of the Godhead – God is one (Deuteronomy 6:4); The Father is God (Isaiah 44:6); Jesus Christ is God (Titus 2:13); The Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:3-4).
- The virgin birth and deity of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-35).
- The verbal inspiration of the Holy Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
- Regeneration, or new birth, by the Spirit of God as the only entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven (John 3:3; Titus 3:5).
- The eternal punishment of all who reject Jesus Christ and His vicarious sacrifice (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:15).
- The Holy Spirit as our source of power for service (Zechariah 4:6; Acts 1:8).
- Unity in all things essential (Ephesians 4:3-7).
- Liberty in all things non-essential (1 Corinthians 6:12; 8:9).
- In all things, the spirit of love and kindness (John 13:34,35; 1 John 4:21; Philippians 2:2-4).
- Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation (Acts 4:12).
- The personal, visible return of Jesus Christ (Acts 1:11; Matthew 16:27).
Our History
The Ministry was founded in 1985 when the Pennsylvania Council of Churches, along with local churches and individuals recognized the need for such a ministry. On November 18, 2009, we became an independent non-profit organization and are in our 39th year of serving the Lord Jesus, our community and those that are just ‘passing through.’
Our Facilities
The Carlisle Truck Stop Ministry, Inc. offices and chapel are located in a trailer at the Petro Truck Stop on U.S. Route 11 between the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Interstate 81 in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The Chaplain’s office is located at one end and is usually open from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, seven days a week . The chapel end is open 24/7/365 to provide a quiet place for truckers to pray, meditate or read. The chapel provides a significant amount of free literature including Bibles, Our Daily Bread and books and pamphlets designed to meet the spiritual needs of truckers and travelers. The Chaplain’s vehicle is marked as such and can be seen traveling throughout the several truck stops in the area. The truck stops themselves provide ‘outposts’ of the Ministry by having literature and donation boxes.
Internship Program
Whether you are a college or seminary student looking to fulfill a ‘field experience’ course requirement, a retiree thinking about part time ministry, or just interested in seeing how a para-church ministry operates, we offer a unique internship program. By ‘shadowing’ our chaplains and observing their daily activities, you will experience all aspects of the Ministry from daily devotions to walking the truck stop lots, visiting with truck stop employees, observing counseling sessions, administrative activities, dealing with ‘walk-ins’ and seeing how God arranges ‘Divine Encounters’ that require prayer and Bible centered wisdom and discernment. Work hours are flexible but are normally 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Interns are welcome and encouraged to attend the Sunday worship services that are led by volunteer lay leaders. Every day presents something new and challenging. We’re sure that you will find this program to be exciting, fast-paced, and educationally and spiritually rewarding.
Depending on the length and timing of your internship, you may also have the opportunity to:
- Meet with a Board Director one-on-one to discuss the Ministry and ask any questions you may have.
- Attend a Board of Directors meeting.
- Assist with the collection and distribution of cookies during our Cookie Drive in November/December.
- Help with minor maintenance jobs.
- Assist with the production of short audio/video clips for our website.
- Arrange for emergency lodging for stranded individuals.
- Interface with local social service agencies.
The only requirements are that you:
- Be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
- Be ambulatory.
- Have your own transportation.
- Have a passion for demonstrating God’s love to those you encounter.
- Sign the Ministry’s Statement of Faith and Standard of Conduct.
Interns are responsible to arrange and pay for their housing, transportation and meals. If you are interested in applying for an internship, please go to the link below, complete the application and submit it, along with signed copies of our Doctrinal Statement and Standard of conduct forms to:
Carlisle Truck Stop Ministry, Inc.
Attention:Dave Bell, Sec./Treas.
P.O. Box 851
Carlisle, PA 17013-0851
Download the Internship Application: Internship Application 2019