🎙️ Introductions

Henry Reyenga:
Is it Monty?

Monte Beatty:
Yes. Now, how do you pronounce your last name?
Beatty. Like fish bait—with a Y. Fish bait.

Henry:
Monte Beatty! We are going to begin the Truck Stop Chaplaincy course here at Christian Leaders Institute, and I am really excited about it. Just by way of introduction, Monty, tell us your story—real briefly.

🪖 From Marine to Ministry

Monte:
Well, I grew up in the state of Washington—Bellevue, Washington. Went into the Marine Corps right after high school.

Henry:
Thank you for your service!

Monte:
Shameless plug: today is the Marine Corps’ 250th birthday.
Henry:
Today?! Oh wow. How special.
Monte:
Happy birthday, Marines!

I thought I was going into law enforcement. Got tired of taking the tests, so in 1984 I started driving truck. Drove until about a year ago.

In 1992, I gave my life to the Lord. In 1994, I felt the call to ministry, affirmed by my pastor at the time. I went to seminary and felt a strong call to chaplaincy. I didn’t know about truck stop chaplaincy until I found a ministry not far from home. I visited them... and the rest is history.

I've been doing truck stop ministry since 1997, off and on, depending on life and work. But since 2013, I’ve been with Truck Stop Ministry. Retired from driving a year ago in September and now serve full time in chaplaincy ministry.

🛠️ Why Truck Stops Matter (Henry’s Story)

Henry:
I love this. I love everything about trucks. My father was a mechanic and truck driver—he hauled milk in Wisconsin back in the ’70s. Trucks broke down a lot back then!

Monte:
They still do—different things break, but they break.

Henry:
What excites me is that you’ve been in ministry while driving—bi-vocational—and now doing it full time. It's a special season.

Monte:
I’m blessed and honored to be able to do it.

🚚 The Truck Stop as a Mission Field

Henry:
Truck stop chaplaincy is a call to meet people where they are. Each highway and rest stop can become a mission field.

"Go out into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled." —Luke 14:23

Where does this connect to your experience?

Monte:
Truck stops are important. Back in the day, drivers would go inside, sit at the counter, drink coffee, and talk. Now with technology, most stay in their trucks. They’ve got phones, tablets—everything they need.

Some trucking companies have chaplains at headquarters, which is great. But truck stops are where drivers are when they’re going through things. They’re away from their church, family, company—they’re anonymous, they’re lonely.

The truck stop is a prime opportunity for a chaplain to meet them in their need.

⛪ Crossroads of Human Stories

Henry:
Trucks are crossroads of human stories. Every traveler is someone God loves. Your presence can turn an ordinary encounter into a divine appointment.

Monte:
Yes. Having a mobile chapel out in the parking lot is ideal. Drivers recognize it. They remember where it is and that a chaplain will be there. You never know who’s going to come in, so you need to be prayed up, in the Word, and ready.

Henry:
And we’ll talk more about that as the course goes on. For now, we’re giving an overview.

🙏 Hope for the Traveler

“Therefore love the foreigner, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.” —Deuteronomy 10:19

Henry:
This idea of the traveler... truckers are often disconnected. They’re wanderers.

Monte:
Most truckers are on the road for weeks. I was out for three weeks at a time. Home for only a few days. That becomes most of your life. You carry burdens alone. Even if you’re strong on the phone for your family—you’re still carrying it after you hang up.

Henry:
So a chaplain becomes essential.

✝️ Ministry in Motion

“Jesus traveled from town to town... The disciples learned ministry on the road.”

Henry:
We often forget—Jesus’ ministry was mobile. Truck stop chaplains follow that same path.

Monte:
When I speak at churches and mention truck stop chaplaincy, most people say, “I never thought of that.” And I respond, “Aren’t we glad we have a Savior who does?”

💔 Does It Make a Difference?

Henry:
In ministry on the road, you don’t always see the long-term fruit. Does it really make a difference?

Monte:
Let me tell you a story.

A driver came to the truck stop with the purpose of ending his life. He was about to pull the trigger when he saw the lit cross on the chapel. He couldn’t do it. He called a friend who told him to talk to the chaplain first.

He came in the next morning. We talked. He gave his life to the Lord that day.

You could see the Holy Spirit come in. That’s one of my favorite stories.

👞 Presence Over Programs

“Be still and know that I am God.” —Psalm 46:10

Henry:
Let’s talk about this theme: presence over programs. Ministry starts with being, not doing. Listening and caring speak louder than preaching.

Monte:
Yes. Some people come to truck stop ministries thinking it’s a preaching point. But they realize fast—they’re not preaching to 100 drivers every Sunday.

Most ministry is one-on-one, Monday through Saturday. Consistency matters. Drivers need to know you’re there.

🤝 Volunteer, Part-Time, Full-Time

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord.” —Colossians 3:23

Henry:
This is a ministry where every role matters. Volunteer, part-time, full-time—all are needed.

Monte:
Yes. A lot of chaplains have a trucking background. Some are supported part-time. Some are full-time like me. We raise our own support. My wife works alongside me.

Henry:
I met your wife—she’s passionate! A lot of drivers want to talk to a woman or a mother figure.

Monte:
Exactly. She’s a huge blessing. And more women are driving now than ever.

🧠 Ministry Sciences

Henry:
At CLI, we use the term Ministry Sciences. It’s the Christ-centered study of how to serve others using tools from Scripture, theology, and social/behavioral insights—without compromising biblical truth.

Monte:
Everything we learn is a tool. And God will use what you studied—often that same day!

🌱 Your Story Is Your Credential

“By their fruit you will recognize them.” —Matthew 7:20

Henry:
Testimony is your first credential. A changed life speaks volumes. It’s not about titles—it’s about calling and fruit.

🙌 The Spirit’s Call

“He saw the multitudes and had compassion… like sheep without a shepherd.”

Henry:
Calling begins with compassion, not credentials. Ask: What is God stirring in my heart?

Let’s pray.

🙏 Monte's Prayer of Surrender

Heavenly Father,
Lord, we just come before you and we just ask You:
What do You want us to learn from this class?
It’s Your calling.
It’s Your compassion.
It’s Your message.
It’s Your love that flows through us as chaplains to love those truck drivers.
So, Father, we lift this whole session up to You.
We love You and we praise You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

🛣️ Class Prayer (Join In)

Lord, I offer my life, my vehicle, my time to Your service.
Lord, let every highway become an altar of grace.
Send me to the people You are already drawing to Yourself.
I heard the Lord’s voice saying:
“Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
Then I said:
Here I am, Lord. Send me. —Isaiah 6:8

Henry:
As we close this first session and prepare for the next, we invite you to pause and engage with that calling. Ask the Lord to guide your next step.

Monte:
It’s a much-needed ministry.

Henry:
Pastor Monte, I am really excited to do this class with you. May God bless you as you engage with this material.


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