10-4 Magazine September 2024

70 10-4 Magazine / September 2024 him into the family business of being a pastor (his father and two brothers are all pastors). They have heard stories of churches who will not allow trucks in their parking lots, but this is not the case in Middlebury. Investing $44,000, they created three special spots for trucks and trailers to park and be welcomed to worship. This congregation loves and welcomes the trucks and their drivers! This year, on June 30, my truck was one of 32 trucks parked in the church lot, with the cars parked on the grass. Saturday was hot, but Sunday was picture perfect, with blue skies and fluffy white clouds. After the service downstairs there was a very tasty lunch served. They rented a trailer that had soft serve ice cream, and it was divine! I was sorry I missed the actual Blessing of the Trucks the day before, but this was a special church service I thoroughly enjoyed. This is a non-alcoholic family event with everyone welcome to come out and support the truckers – and maybe learn more about what we do. Lavern told me that being an owner operator, there was never a company Christmas party, so drivers began getting together at a restaurant to celebrate with one another. Now, in the middle of December, there’s a Trucker’s Christmas Dinner at the church. If you find yourself in Middlebury, IN on a Sunday morning or in the middle of December, take the opportunity to worship with people who will make you feel welcome and at home, even if you come in a tractor-trailer! Mark your calendars now for next year’s “truck blessing” event, as it will be held June 28, 2025, at Elkhart County 4H Fairgrounds in Goshen, IN. The Bobtail Cruise In will be held the next morning, June 29th, at the Middlebury Community Church of the Nazarene. Let’s fill up the parking lot! Services are broadcast live at 10:30 AM Eastern time on their Facebook page (Middlebury Community Church of the Nazarene). If you scroll down a bit, you can enjoy the Blessing of the Trucks sermon that was on June 30, 2024. We hope to see you at this amazing event next year. n EDITOR’S NOTE: Big thanks to Leah Eicher for providing many of the photographs for this month’s article.