‘Drive Your Tractor to Church’ - Midwest Farmers Share Fears, Get Encouraged, By Outreach

Summary: By Richard Hunt Farming can be tough – and, at times, some farmers even consider taking their own lives. It’s not unusual to see a parking lot full of farm tractors at Middlebury Community Church of the Nazarene in northern Indiana. The “Drive Your Tractor to Church” event held each year by the church team honors farming as a very essential and noble field of employment. Pastor Gary Sheets sees to it the farm families are welcomed, prayed for, well fed - and their tractors, which represent the farm family income, are prayed over, blessed. Recently, a number of farmers privately shared they’ve had major concerns about losing their farms… and some have had dark, disturbing thoughts that have rattled their mental health. The pastor responded with encouragement from Jesus and the Bible. There’s also been an outreach called “Truckers Bobtail Cruise-In,” where those who drive 18-wheelers are saluted for their essential work – and also receive needed prayer and encouragement.