November 20, 2000
On the road of a troubled life, man found hope to help
___By Orville Scott
___Texas Baptist Communications
___TERRELL--Deserted by his father at age 9, Ricky Null retreated into a shell of anger and rejection.
___As he grew older, he tried to drown his feelings of worthlessness with alcohol and other drugs, lashing out at the world.
___His mother said, "I've got eight children, and Ricky has caused me more pain than all the others put together."
TRUCK STOP CHAPLAIN Ricky Null (second from right) talks with David Griffin (right) and Bob and Nancy Griffin, whose 1989 model truck with 1.5 million miles was the top show truck in the United States last year. (Photos by Orville Scott)
___Ten days before he was to be married to Carla Hanson, Null wrecked his pickup truck, rolling it over 11 times.
___"As I hung there upside down, with gasoline running over me, I told God I would give my life to him," Null said. "I served God for 18 months, but I started drinking and fighting again and even abused my wife, Carla.
___"One day I came home, and looking at our baby in the cradle, I promised God to serve him with all my heart. He cleansed me, and I've served him ever since."
___The couple joined First Baptist Church of Terrell, where retiree Darwin Farmer, former pastor and missions leader with the Baptist General Convention of Texas, was leading a Christian mentoring ministry.
___Null and four other young men met with Farmer and Pastor Ernest McCoulsky Jr. in Bible study and leadership training at 4:30 each Monday morning for 14 weeks.
___Afterward, Null became Baptist Men director for Kaufman County. One day, Directorof Missions Jerry Griffin told Null, "You need to go out to Rip Griffin's Truck Stop and see what's going on."
TRUCK STOP ministry volunteer Tammy Hanson and her son, Zachery, give out Christian literature to truckers Bill and Joyce Rucker of Billings, Mont.
___David Griffin of Dallas, whose father, Rip, had founded a chain of truck stops across several states, was eager for volunteers to conduct worship services for the hundreds of truckers daily passing through the big truck stop along Interstate 20 near Terrell.
___Null was impressed with the possibilities for a Christian ministry there. His wife, a singer, said, "I'll be glad to come and lead worship." So the couple began holding services at the truck stop on Sunday mornings at 8:30.
___They plan, with the help of other volunteers, to have services seven nights a week.
___The ministry is supported by First Baptist Church of Terrell, Kaufman/Van Zandt Baptist Area and the Association of Christian Truckers. The BGCT provides Bibles and Christian literature.
___"God has truly blessed this ministry," Null said. "There have been several professions of faith, lots of rededications and boosted spirits, as well as life-saving experiences.
___"A man who had threatened to take his life attended the services, gave his heart to Christ and had a new outlook on life.
___"One couple came every week for more than a year, all the way from their home in California, on their designated run to Georgia."
___Plans are under way for a permanent chapel building near the Rip Griffin complex. A nearby building that temporarily houses the Kaufman-Van Zandt Area missions office has been donated for a truck stop chapel, and Community Baptist Church of Rockwall donated a steeple.
___The chapel will sit on the west side of the Rip Griffin complex and will be accessible from the truckers' parking lot, the front parking lot and the side entrance to the restaurant.
___At Sunday services recently during the regional qualifying round of the Stars & Stripes Show Truck Series at the Rip Griffin Truck Stop, about 50 people heard Null tell how God transformed his life. There was one profession of faith and one rededication.
___"Many people who don't go to church will come here," said Mrs. Null.
___"God is moving in marvelous ways," her husband affirmed.
___Truck stop chaplain Ricky Null (second from right) talks with David Griffin (right) and Bob and Nancy Griffin, whose 1989 model truck with 1.5 million miles was the top show truck in the United States last year. At left, truck stop ministry volunteer Tammy Hanson and her son, Zachery, give out Christian literature to truckers Bill and Joyce Rucker of Billings, Mont. (Photos by Orville Scott)
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