Faith on Four Wheels: New Mobile Ministry Van Hits the Columbus Roads
LANCASTER, Ohio — A new vehicle is turning heads across the Columbus diocese, blending charitable service with high-visibility evangelization. The Mobile Outreach Ministry van, a generous gift from professional racecar driver Cody Coughlin, is now officially in service following a blessing by Bishop Earl Fernandes in March.
The van serves as a "ministry-on-wheels," specifically designed to reach the rural stretches of the Appalachian foothills and surrounding communities.
A Gift Driven by Faith
The vehicle was donated by 30-year-old Cody Coughlin, a stock car driver and real estate developer who recently returned to the Catholic faith. Speaking on his motivation, Coughlin expressed a desire to provide both physical and spiritual nourishment.
"It’s a small way to support a mission that truly changes lives," Coughlin said. "The great strength of a mobile ministry is its flexibility. It can go directly to the communities where help is needed most."
Service in Action
Stationed at the Lancaster Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption, the van is already proving its worth. Its impact includes:
Massive Food Transport: In March, the van delivered 6,000 food items to Mary’s Mission in Zanesville to support the local homeless population.
Parish Collaboration: The vehicle is shared between Lancaster St. Mary, Logan St. John the Evangelist, and Lancaster St. Bernadette.
Logistical Support: Beyond food, the van is used to transport furniture and larger donations that local parishes previously had no way to move.
"Noticeably Catholic" Evangelization
The van isn't just a transport tool; it’s a rolling billboard for the Gospel. The exterior features:
Iconic Imagery: Depictions of the Divine Mercy, Christ feeding the hungry, and St. Teresa of Calcutta.
Digital Integration: A QR code allows curious onlookers to scan the vehicle and learn more about diocesan ministries instantly.
Community Presence: Plans are already underway to use the van to pull a float in the Lancaster Fourth of July parade.
For Deacon Jeff Hurdley and Deacon Matt Shaw, the van represents a bridge to the peripheries. "We’re using it to supply the needs of the poor," Hurdley explained, "but we’re also using it to spread the Good News and show what the Church is doing."
With Coughlin hoping to expand the fleet in the future, this first van marks the beginning of a more mobile, responsive approach to ministry in Central Ohio.
Source: https://catholictimescolumbus.org/local/new-diocesan-ministry-van-hits-the-road/
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