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Trucker and Traveler Ministry in Breezewood, Pennsylvania Life at the Crossroads God is alive on the highways of America! The Breezewood Trucker and Traveler Ministry is one way God's love is made known in the world of trucking and traveling. The ministry serves as a ministry of prayer, presence, counsel, and hospitality to the highway community in Breezewood. With the parable of the Good Samaritan as a guiding scripture, the local Christian community has established the chaplaincy as a gospel witness at a major interstate crossroads. In the late 1970's a group of local pastors, business people, and the Pennsylvania Council of Churches observed the increasing need for emergency and pastoral care among the thousands of truckers and travelers passing daily through Breezewood. Persons stranded in accidents, on foot, or in personal crisis were in Breezewood with frequent and consistent requests for assistance. In the mid 1980's, Frank Bitner of Snyder's Gateway, the Reverend Bob Robertson of the First United Church of Christ in Everett, Tucker Wilt of the Wiltshire Motel, the Rev. Robert Alley of the Everett Church of the Brethren, the Rev. Jay Sax of the Everett United Methodist Church, and other members of the Everett Area Ministerium began to draw together people and resources with which a workplace chaplaincy in Breezewood truckstops could be established. The Pennsylvania Council of Churches provided organizational support and ecumenical sponsorship. By early 1987, the steering committee was in a position to call a pastor to serve as chaplain. The Rev. Fred Simmel, a Lutheran pastor, served as chaplain for the first four years. Bruce Maxwell, an ordained deacon in the United Methodist church, has served as chaplain since November 1992. The management committee continues a committed effort to expand the work and presence of ministry in Breezewood, through partner churches and local mission projects. Congregations, civic groups, local businesses, and individuals become involved in numerous ways - further enabling a gospel witness in this highway community. Breezewood represents a very unique slice of American life. Daily reality can be very transient and often moving at a pace that scatters the soul, particularly for those lost, lonely, and wandering the highways in search of answers. Christ and the Holy Spirit is present for those in need. Through faith, meaning and joy in living will be restored! As a "mission outpost" in the travel plazas of Breezewood, it is beautiful to see the work of God in human hearts...Pray on!
Chaplain Bruce Maxwell and Andy Thompson at Breezewood Travel Plaza Read our annual report, a newspaper article on the ministry and our stories. Visit "Opportunities" and learn how you and your congregation can help with outreach projects and activities. For additional information, contact Chaplain Bruce Maxwell, PO Box 286, Breezewood, PA 15533; 814.735.4011, ext. 7463, cell 814.977.6964, or email. |
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Pennsylvania Council of Churches 900 S. Arlington Avenue, Suite 100, Harrisburg, PA 17109-5089 Telephone 717.545.4761 Facsimile 717.545.4765 E-mail pcc@pachurches.org Contact the Webmaster with your comments and suggestions. |
