A blue semi and tractor trailer sit parked at Petro visible and inviting motorists as they turn onto Petro Road.
Twenty-five years ago Petro first opened offering truck drivers and motorists a place to stop and rest. In September 1992 the Mobile Chapel opened in the parking lot offering drivers a place to worship, reflect and rest while on the road.
The mobile chapel is open seven days a week 24 hours a day, for motorists looking for a place to connect and rest while enjoying a break from behind the wheel.
Chaplain Jay LeRette has served as the chaplin since the Mobile Chapel first opened. Prior to opening the Rochelle Chapel, LeRette was a missionary preaching on the streets of Chicago and in jails. While LeRette was serving as a street missionary, Burt Johnson approached him asking if he would be interested in serving as a mobile pastor.
At that time, Petro was still a cornfield but Johnson had a vision for what he saw once the truck stop was built. That vision has left a lasting impact on Petro and many lives that pass through town stopping for a short visit in Rochelle.
The Mobile Chapel is part of Transport for Christ and LeRette works as a missionary raising money while serving the Rochelle and trucking community.
“We are here for everybody,” stated LeRette. “Our main focus is to point others to Jesus Christ, He is our hope.”

Over the last 25 years, LeRette’s ministry at the truck stop in Rochelle has grown and he has seen “hundreds and hundreds” of men and women come to know the Lord.
Transport for Christ has 41 mobile chapels throughout Canada and the United States. While their goal is that no trucker should have to drive more than a day without being able to find a Transport for Christ mobile chapel, that is not as easily accomplished as said.
LeRette explained that drivers will go out of their way to be able to stop at Petro since they know the mobile chapel is located there. While some truck stops have a mobile chapel they are not as easily visible as Petro’s. He explained that some truck stops allow the mobile chapel to park on site but have them tucked away and hidden. In Rochelle, the mobile chapel is visible for all truck drivers whether they are staying a night in the parking lot or stopping for a quick trip.
“We are a real deterrent to evil,” explained LeRette. “They keep Petro clean and well lit. Petro is a very friendly and family oriented. Petro has been very gracious to me,”
LeRette has always received a warm welcome from the staff at Petro and is thankful for his opportunity to serve as a missionary at the truck stop and in Rochelle.
He explained in the last 25 years he has not only built relationships with truckers but has also gotten to know members of the community. Area churches help support his ministry and community members attend bible studies in the mobile chapel.
While the mobile chapel is open 24-7 services are held daily at 7 p.m. and Sunday mornings at 11 a.m.
“Our ministry has increased and drivers know we are here,” explained LeRette. “I see new faces everyday and familiar faces everyday.”
While seeing semi trucks at Petro is a normal occurrence, LeRette catches eyes and attention in a unique way at the truck stop. As a way to break ice and make connections with truckers, LeRette will make his way around Petro while riding around on his horse. He explained drivers enjoy seeing animals while at a stop and the horse provides a way to form a connection.
LeRette has seen marriages restored, families renewed and drivers who are broken touched by God’s love during his time at Petro. After the first meeting, he has seen drivers grow in their faith as they return to Petro on another trip.
Anniversary celebration
A fundraising banquet will be held on Saturday, Sept. 30 at Hickory Grove Banquet and conference Center at 6 p.m. The evening will feature a silent auction and presentation from LeRette on the ministry over the last 25 years. LeRette is hoping a few truck drivers will be able to attend and share the impact the mobile chapel has had on their lives.
A freewill offering will be taken during the evening to support LeRette and continue his ministry at Petro.
Doors will open for the event at 5:30 p.m. and reservations can be made by Wednesday, Sept. 20 to Karen LeRette at 815-497-3901.