How do you start a truck stop chaplaincy ministry

TRUCKSTOP CHAPLAINCY PROGRAMS

Trucker's Need Someone Who Cares! Truckers and their families, truck stop management, employees, transient and stranded travelers frequent the truck stop and need assistance. A volunteer chaplain cares and meets those needs.

How do you start a truck stop chaplaincy ministry?

1. Pray for God's leadership.

2. Schedule a meeting with the manager of the truck stop.

3. Meet and discuss needs of truckers and management.

4. Share ways a volunteer chaplain meets the needs.

5. Plan programs with management which a chaplain could implement.

6. Follow up the meeting with a letter outlining what was agreed upon.

7. Recruit a chaplain and secure management approval.

8. Set a starting time and begin the ministry.

9. Evaluate with management periodically.

The Ministry: Truckers experience schedules which keep them on the road and away from family and traditional support systems. Their companion is a CB radio and/or a truck stop "buddy." A volunteer chaplain becomes a new "buddy" who cares.

Ministry Of Presence: A chaplain visits the truck stop periodically, without disrupting work schedules, to develop friendships, build relationships, determine and respond to personal need, and provide a non-judgmental listening ear.

He visits the restaurant, the store, the maintenance shop, the driver's room and the rigs. Moving among the truckers and the truck stop employees is vital to a successful ministry because the chaplain represents the spiritual presence of God.

Counseling Service: Chaplains provide guidance and brier, confidential counseling for personal, family, and job-related problems. They refer those in need of professional help to good Christian counselors.

Resources ans Literature: The chaplain provides Bibles, religious pamphlets, tracts, audio tapes, and resources to help with personal, marriage and family needs, as requested.

Referral Service: Chaplains maintain an updated list of spiritual and social service providers, to whom they can refer truckers to.

Worship Services and Bible Study: Some truck stops have chapels or designated areas for worship. The chaplain cooperates with truck stop management in conducting worship services and/or Bible studies.

Weddings and Funerals: Often the chaplain is the only minister with whom the truckers or truck stop employees may have contact. The volunteer chaplain may conduct weddings or funerals as requested.

The Reason…A trucker or a truck stop employee needs a friend and someone to care. Jesus said, "Go out into the highways…" The chaplain goes to share God's love with a segment of society which often is over looked, misunderstood or rejected.

IN GOD WE TRUST

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