In September 1999, I documented the work of Transport for Christ (now TFC Global), an international team of ministers that caters to the religious needs of cross-country truck drivers. I met up with them at the Columbia 20 Travel Center and Flying J Travel Plaza, both in Columbia, South Carolina. The following photo essay is a result of my time with this group of dedicated ministers and the truckers they preached to day and night.

A neon cross atop the Whispering Hope Chapel at the United Truck Stop at exit 71 along Interstate 20 in Columbia, South Carolina beckons truckers to the Transport for Christ chapel below. The 47-year-old international ministry has been in Columbia for the past seven years with a two-fold purpose – to lead truckers to Jesus Christ, and to teach them to grow in their faith. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
A neon cross atop the Whispering Hope Chapel at the United Truck Stop at exit 71 along Interstate 20 in Columbia, South Carolina beckons truckers to the Transport for Christ chapel below. The 47-year-old international ministry has been in Columbia for the past seven years with a two-fold purpose – to lead truckers to Jesus Christ, and to teach them to grow in their faith. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Approaching apprehensive, reluctant truckers in truck stop lots is an every-day part of Whispering Hope Chaplain Ted Keller’s job. ‘People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care,’ Keller said after exchanging business cards with James Callahan of Ft. Walton, Fla. in the Columbia 20 Travel Center parking lot. Keller also encourages truckers to page him at home if they need to talk or worship. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Whispering Hope Chaplain Ted Keller tries to hand religious literature to a half-weary trucker while walking between parked rigs. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Whispering Hope Chaplain Ted Keller handd religious literature to a trucker while walking between parked rigs. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Transport for Christ volunteer Chaplain Harlon Drew strikes up an early morning conversation with a couple of drivers. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Over-the-road trucker Robert Townsend of Taylorsville, Miss., front, Whispering Hope Chaplain Ted Keller, middle, and Dave Harlow of Clarksville, Ind., come together to hear the gospel read by volunteer chaplain-on-duty Bob Parris in the gaming room at the Flying J Travel Plaza on Labor Day weekend. Truckers often find it difficult to attend traditional churches while on the road. Church parking lots can’t always accommodate the large rigs, and many truckers feel they are not dressed appropriately for church. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Volunteer Chaplain Steve Beatty, right, evokes a quiet reaction with his sermon for a lone trucker, center, during a Tuesday evening Bible study. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Audie Ferguson of Danville, Virginia walks to his truck, bible in hand, following a service. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Audie Ferguson of Danville, Va. settles into his truck bunk, or what he calls his ‘prayer closet’ following a Sunday morning service outside the Flying J Travel Plaza on Interstate 20. A trucker for the past seven years who tries to be at home and in church on Sundays, Ferguson drives the east coast from Virginia to Florida for General Dollar and has written over 300 songs to feel closer to God. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
An illuminated cross helps light the way on Cisco, Texas-based trucker Rolen Riggs' cab as he waits to exit the Columbia 20 Travel Center on Interstate 20. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
An illuminated cross helps light the way on Cisco, Texas-based trucker Rolen Riggs’ cab as he waits to exit the Columbia 20 Travel Center on Interstate 20. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon

Further Reading

  • Learn more about TFC Global at their website here.