Transport for Christ will 'Let the lights shine' for 26th annual ride through Holmes County
The highlight of the weekend will be the massive 200-truck “Parade of Lights” convoy that will roll through the byways of East Holmes.
“It is so much fun to see all of these trucks and drivers and the truck driving community come together for this event. It really helps reinforce who we are and what we are trying to do as an organization, which is spreading God's love,” said Gary Nussbaum, TFC pastor and one of the event's coordinators.
TFC currently has 34 locations throughout the United States as well as six in Canada, two in Russia and one in Zambia, Africa. One is currently under way in Brazil, meaning that the international part of the organization is true to its name. In addition there is one mobile unit, which will be leading the “Parade of Lights” procession.
The weekend activities kick off at Kidron Auction at 4 p.m. Drivers will assemble there and enjoy a dinner of pulled pork and homemade ice cream. They will also be entertained by the serenading of bluegrass tunes with “The Stockdale Family Band.”
From there the trucks will make their way to Mt. Hope. The meeting point will be at Kidron Auction, where the trucks will congregate before heading out on a massive convoy throughout eastern Holmes County.
The drive, known as the “Parade of Lights,” begins in Kidron, travels to Mt. Hope, then south on C.R. 201 to Bunker Hill, where the convoy will latch on to state Route 62 and head into Berlin. A quick jaunt west on state Route 39 to C.R. 201 will then take the proceeding north to Fryburg. There they will begin the return trip to Mt. Hope on state Route 241.
For those who have not witnessed the event, the convoy starts during the day when the color and design of the trucks can be viewed during daylight. As the sun sets, the trucks eventually will allow their beautifully adorned truck lights to take center stage, creating a “rolling light show.”
“This continues to grow, and we may have to prepare for close to 250 trucks this year,” Nussbaum said. “We are very excited to host this again. It really provides a wonderful avenue for truck drivers and their families to fellowship together and have a fun, relaxing weekend.”
After returning to Mt. Hope Auction around 8:30 p.m., drivers will again be entertained by “The Joe Mullins Radio Band.” This will also be a grand time of conversation and sharing between the truckers, who will share experiences from the road and enjoy the fellowship among their trucking brethren.
The fun will continue on Saturday morning at 7 a.m. when a pancake and sausage breakfast will get the day started right. Plenty more fellowship will usher in the chicken barbecue at 11 a.m. with kids' activities beginning then too. At noon there will be the benefit auction with all of the proceeds from the auction going directly to the TFC mission.
Come rain or shine, both of which have greeted drivers and the many gatherers who watch the parade, the “Parade of Lights” will be a spectacle to behold.
“Seeing the trucks in the daylight is really neat, but once it gets darker and their lights are on, that is when the parade really comes to life,” Nussbaum said.
Along with its 34 national and soon to be 10 international sites, TFC trains and develops chaplains for each. They help build relationships, pastor and encourage truck drivers. Pastors also make connections with local churches in their respective areas, making for moral support as well as a church home drivers can turn to if they wish.
“The two main ways we are able to continue to spread the gospel through our organization is through the invitation from a truck stop,” said Nussbaum, who noted that they are currently in a large number of TravelCenters of America, but he also aids TFC in making many inroads to creating stops in Flying J facilities.
For more information call Nussbaum at 330-465-4587 or visit them on Facebook at TFC Ohio.