There's not a lot of information to be found about practicing your faith or religion out there on America's highways. It's still possible to keep your faith, whatever your religion may be, even when you're miles away from home, and are in the middle of a trip out on the road.
This page has information for drivers who don't want to give up the important things in their lives, even with the difficulties that exist because of life on the road. Truck stop chapels are located across the country. Other resources and practical ideas for truck drivers are included as well.
Christianity seems to be the only faith to offer worship services in most major truck stops. These are usually set up in the driver's lounge in the truck stop on Sunday mornings. There are others which have a special trailer set up in the parking lot. The chapels in truckstops are usually non-denominational - sometimes Baptist or Southern Baptist - but anyone is welcome to worship or just visit there.
Highway News, is a monthly magazine for Christian truckers published by Transport For Christ. Ministry supporters automatically receive a subscription with a donation of $25 or more.
The Time Limitations of Truckers
There are definite time limitations that an over-the-road trucker often faces. He may not be able to get to a certain truck stop chapel on Sunday morning. Additionally, he may not have the time to stop because of his delivery schedule. There are many businesses and individuals who have the luxury of having Sundays off, but often, over-the-road truckers do not have this luxury. Fortunately, many of these chapels are open 24 hours if a driver needs to talk to someone.
Ideas and Resources for Drivers
There are many options for the driver who has the time, and the desire to continue practicing his or her faith out on the road.
Try contacting your denomination (you can do this through your local church or possibly through the denomination's main website), and find out if they can send you a list of their churches, complete with addresses and phone numbers, across the country. You can do this regardless of what faith or religion you happen to belong to.
If you know you're going to be in a certain area on a Sunday morning (or whatever the usual day of the week and time of day worship is), you can call them up, and get information and directions. Then, all you have to do is find a nearby truckstop that will allow you to drop your trailer, and bobtail (drive the tractor without the trailer attached) over to the worship service.
The USA Worship Here Directory is the most complete directory of places of worship we've found for your convenience. At this directory, you can simply go to your state, and choose from a list of cities or enter your zip code for a list of all places of worship in that area. Also included is a map tool so you can easily find the location of each.
The PCA Directory is a very nice directory to Presbyterian Churches of America locations across the country.
The Bottom Line
It's possible for truckers to go to a church or worship service, or any faith service or gathering, but it's definitely not easy. If it's worth it personally to take it upon yourself to adhere to your belief system's lifestyle, (keeping up with whatever recommended reading, prayer, or style of worship you partake of) it can go along way towards giving you a peace of mind as you go down the road, most likely increasing both your enjoyment and your productivity.
Bible Verse of the Day
The Listener's MP3 Bible This is the perfect way to listen to the Bible as you're driving down the road, or as you're relaxing in the sleeper. Read by Max McLean.
This is the perfect way to listen to the Bible as you're driving down the road, or as you're relaxing in the sleeper. Read by Max McLean.
