Finding Jesus at a Truck Stop

Rev. Joe Hunter has created a nationwide ministry by establishing "Chaplain Joe's Truck Stop Chapel Service". A service he performs on Wednesday nights. Hunter literally takes God to people on the go. His services are offered at fuel stops, in parking lots, on CB, and even through a radio show called "Heaven's Show". This Vietnam veteran has had many life experiences and was also a truck driver himself for 20 years. He claims this is his first love.

Hunter has a mobile chapel that looks like a big semi-truck. It's easily spotted by truckers, especially at night with a neon red cross perched above the truck like a beacon. This on-the-go preacher established his first Bible study in 1981 at an Atlanta truck stop. It has since grown to include offices at 74 truck stops in 29 states with at least 500 chaplains working with him.

He was even offered a job as a pastor from leaders of one church, however, Rev. Hunter turned the job down claiming he was doing exactly what he felt he should be doing and apparently he now has a national reputation.

Rev. Hunter has been happily married for 42 years to his wife Jan, whom he calls "his partner in ministry". They also have two children and 10 grandchildren.

This is an amazing story. There were several comments from truckers in this article that were so heartwarming. One man, Harold McBride, from Florida, who goes by "Jumper" stated, "I've been back and forth between Satan and God over the years and it was a rough life", "...but I finally found that saving grace to make life a whole lot better." All the truckers that come into contact with Rev. Hunter talk about their profession with pride and have seemed to really find a friend in him.

There is also a painting that hangs on the chapel's back wall that sounds very impressive. It's a picture depicting a truck about to slide off the road due to an icy ledge. The truck is pulled back to safety by God's hands. McBride, the trucker from Florida, has a special connection with that picture. He recalls a time when he was hauling a load of 55-gallon drums of orange concentrate down an unfamiliar mountain. The road suddenly had a huge s-shaped curve and he lost control. "Somebody told me I was on nine tires, and that hand is probably the only thing that kept me on the road." said McBride.

Rev. Hunter and the volunteers he has are doing such a great service. Other than Wednesday nights, he also has Hunter's Truck Stop Ministries, Inc. which he says works like a spiritual gas station. He prays with truckers, helps them to make decisions for Christ, and hands out taped sermons they can listen to on their trips. He said he felt this would be a helpful service because he says, "The greatest thing about being a truck driver is you have a lot of time to think and the horrible thing about being a truck driver is that you have a lot of time to think."

I was also impressed with the fact that during his services, there is no collection plate passed around. Rev. Hunter truly seems to love people and wants to help them. He is a blessing.