7 Tips to Find Church on the Road
If you're an RV enthusiast, there's nothing quite like taking your home on wheels to go explore the open road. But while many would agree that life on the highway is full of adventure and freedom, one snag comes up pretty regularly - finding a church when you go somewhere new. It can be daunting to think about searching for spiritual guidance in an unfamiliar place.
Whether you’re Christian, Jewish or any other religion, we feel ya — but don’t worry because we’ve got some solutions to help get you settled into religious services at your next destination.
1.Check out a church’s website
Start by checking online for churches in your area. Their online presence may give you a feel for them. If they don’t have a website where we can see their beliefs or hear the pastor preach, we keep looking. We look for something in our preferred denomination, but we are open to non-denominational churches and others that might look interesting.
2. Visit in Person
The friendliness of the church is an essential factor for me. I’ve visited at least one church where no one even said hello. Well, maybe the door greeter. They would have to be pretty impressive in all other aspects to get me to return. Feeling welcome in this new environment is very important.
3. check RV Forums
Facebook and other social media provide us access to RVers all over the US. Post in a form and ask if anyone can recommend a church in your area. I bet you can find someone who will provide input on a great local church to visit.
4. Ask RVers in your Campground
Check with RVers in your campground especially the camphost. There also might be a bulletin board with churches listed in the office.
5. specific denominations
People tend to be more comfortable when they attend a church within their current denomination but don’t be afraid to test the waters a bit as long as the church is within your current beliefs. But don’t worry specific denominational churches are usually easy to find even in a small town or area.
6. church in your campground
If you have an outgoing personality, you might try having your own church in your campground. Ask the office if this is allowed. There might be a non-denominational service already planned or they might jump at the chance to have someone host it.
7. Online Church
Online church is also a great option especially if your home church streams online. I prefer the fellowship I receive when I attend a local church. But sometimes, that is not an option.
Final Thoughts
There are many ways to find a church on the road. For my husband and I, we decided that we would do our best to be consistent with our churchgoing. Sometimes if we are in a remote area, it might be a little more challenging, but we can always find a church online for those times.
Part of our church experience is to serve. This is a little more difficult, but we always try. During one winter work camper experience, we were asked if we would fill food boxes for the church’s food bank. It was so fun and an excellent way to serve a specific need.
There are many types of serving. You can serve others in your campground or RV park by cooking for someone in need or simply praying with someone. You never know what those around you are going through. These simple acts of service will let your light shine.
Attending church on the road is certainly a personal decision. Where you attend, how you serve, and how you give are all aspects of an active spiritual life. You can continue to be an active churchgoer even while traveling to new locations.
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About the Author: Terri Nighswonger and her husband, Todd, are well-traveled RVers and work campers. They've work camped from Maine to Arizona with their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Newton, and their Minnie Australian Shepherd, Remi.
They love Arizona, where winter coats are a thing of the past. They plan to enjoy the west for a while. Writing is Terri's passion, but she also loves hiking, kayaking, walking her dogs, and anything she can do outdoors.
