At Truck Stop of America East, just off the Interstate 10
and Milliken Avenue, there’s something quite unexpected.
It’s church, truck-stop style.
Built by Ron and Gladys Dudley in 1991, the converted tractor-trailer, with its
12-foot steeple, front entrance canopy, and a blue mural boasting a trailer
held by giant hands are unmistakable. A back patio is complete with fishpond,
rose bushes and a few benches. Cold and hot drinks are served, and truckers
chat. A small respite for what can be a long and lonely road.
Truck drivers themselves, the Dudleys said God burdened their heart for
truckers. So they started the nonprofit See You in Church Ministry, which
operates the Christ Delivers Life church.
We laugh with them, cry with them, share their problems, Gladys said.
Prior to the chapel, Ron and Gladys took the message with them on the road.
At a truck stop we’d witness to the fuel pump guy, or give a church service
Sunday evening, she said. We take the command ‘go ye into all the world’ very
seriously.
In 1979, the couple felt God leading them off the road and into Bible school.
Ron attended school for two and half years in preparation for more than they
ever expected God would move them to do.
In a profession where drivers are away from home often weeks at a time, Gladys
said it is an especially important ministry field.
Because of the job, they are often away from their families, especially during
the holidays, she said. Who do you talk to when you’re 3,000 miles away from
home and find out your wife has cancer and has three months to live? And most
of them don’t have a regular pastor, so we share Christ with them.
Filling a void
Harold Chapman, a driver from Arizona, said the Dudleys’
chapel is important, especially in its location.
The ministry is very important to the truckers it’s sometimes the only
contact they have with a church.
Some drivers may be here two weeks, and there aren’t many places where you can
go to church with a truck. When we have something like this, it’s really a time
of rejoicing.
Ron estimates that about 700 trucks park daily on the east side of Milliken.
We minister to all truckers, from all nations and denominations: Palestinians,
Israelis, Kenyans, Russians, Kiwis, Aussies, Hindus, Muslims, he said. We
have a full-on mission field, right here in your backyard. You want to come out
and talk with people from Africa or anywhere else, come here.
Ron also said English is not the only language spoken by attendees.
I get frustrated sometimes because we don’t all speak each others’ language,
but everyone knows Jesus’ name, he said.
Full ministry calendar
Each week is busy for the Dudleys. Chapel time is 7 p.m.
Monday through Wednesday and Saturday, and Sunday 10:30 a.m. Ron delivers most
sermons, except for Tuesday evenings when a volunteer steps in.
Music is sometimes available with worship, depending upon whether anyone in the
congregation that day plays an instrument.
Neither my husband nor I play any instruments, some of the drivers play guitar
or keyboard, so we give them that opportunity to lead worship if they want to
play for that service, Gladys said.
Saturday through Monday, Ron and Gladys live in a small converted room in the
trailer, and are available at all times for counseling and prayer.
At the chapel truckers receive various assistance.
We handle (issues of) suicides, drug addictions, major family crises,
counseling, food we’re kind of filling in the gap here, he said. There’s a
lot of drop-offs, hitchhikers, runaways one out of a hundred we contact their
family and get them back on a bus headed for home.
In one instance, Gladys remembered a driver who was traveling with his three
children.
It was during the weekend and he couldn’t get any money, she said. His three
little kids were hungry, so we fed them and gave them some money.
The Dudleys also have stuffed animals and coloring books for kids during summer
months.
The chapel also provides Thanksgiving dinner, and a Christmas Eve service,
because, Gladys said, that’s the loneliest time of the year for the drivers.
It can be an emotional time, as well.
When we do Thanksgiving dinner, I’ve had drivers come to us and just cry and
say, I’m sitting here eating a Thanksgiving dinner with brothers and sisters,
Ron said.
Looking to expand
Although the ministry operates on a limited budget funded
through donations, there are needs. The 25-seat chapel is often standing room
only.
We need volunteers. Sometimes if our chapel is packed for a service, it’s just
me and my husband it can be a bit overwhelming, Gladys said. The Dudleys are
starting a building fund for a larger facility.
We’re looking at a 12-foot by 60- foot office trailer, Ron said. We have
people standing in the back, sitting on the floor, in the living quarters
Despite the success, the Dudleys said they do not have any plans to branch out
to other truck stops any time soon.
The Lord could always change plans, but right now we don’t feel Him leading us
anywhere else, Ron said.
The most rewarding thing about the ministry, Ron said, is when we lay our
heads down to sleep at night and think of the lives touched ... so many lives,
so many hurting people, so little time.