Fuel for the Truck; Fuel for the Trucker

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Fuel for the Truck; Fuel for the Trucker
July 20, 2008

Ever heard of Breezewood, Pennsylvania? If you're a trucker traveling through the state, you're probably familiar with this quarter-mile strip located at the junction of I-70 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike – places to eat and places to re-fuel. But, there's more than meets the eye in Breezewood. Nestled between the rigs is one tractor trailer that doesn't seem to move much. It is the mobile chapel of Rev. Shannon Rust. Truckers can re-fuel their rigs and also re-fuel their souls.

According to the Trucker's Friend National Truck Stop Directory, an industry publication, there are more than 230 chapels located at truck stops across the nation. This number has almost doubled in less than a decade.

Long hours on the road, alone with one's thoughts, can leave a person anxious and searching for answers to the milieu of problems that have become all too common today in a troubled industry. While truckers employed by major companies still enjoy a relative degree of job stability, the independent truckers are going through rough times. Meeting expenses is the task at hand. Many truckers are spending longer tours away from home in order to make ends meet. However, the price of these trips is steep emotionally as well as financially. Problems at home have to be addressed long distance. The worry of bills in arrears always looms. The question of the next job is continually on the horizon.

Seeking peace of mind has become an intrinsic part of traveling the road. Helping the truckers deal with loneliness and worry is the task of these mobile preachers. The number of truckers visiting these truck-stop chapels is growing. Truckers are making time for prayer as well as food and maintenance. Preachers like Mr. Rust are serving an important role in keeping America moving.

Next time you're traveling the Interstate and your personal fuel gauge is starting to run low, keep your eyes open for one of America's soul re-fueling stations. The service is friendly and efficient, and you can always afford to fill your tank.