A camera, an audience and a mission for B.C.-based long-haul trucker Ray Gauthier
Popular YouTube vlog Life on the Road with Yeshua and Trucker Ray marked its tenth anniversary in March with about 10,500 followers. The host of the vlog is B.C.-based long-haul company trucker Ray Gauthier who, on average, travels 2,500 miles weekly and is proud to say he has been accident-free for about 1,250,000 miles. "I’ve been blessed and very, very fortunate," Gauthier says.
He came to a saving faith in Jesus in 1988 at age 19. Divorced at 27, he became a single father, and says he gradually got his faith and life back on track. He learned computer skills, worked at home in radio editing and broadcasting, and when his youngest was ready to leave home, Gauthier started driving a local delivery truck.
A lot of my YouTubers are ex-truckers … They absolutely love seeing the scenery … It gives them a chance to escape and hear that Word of God at the same time.
In early 2012 Trucker Ray rolled out of driving school with a Class One license. He started to vlog on YouTube at the end of his first trip. "I believe it was God’s way of saying, ‘Your ministry didn’t end back there. It’s going to continue here,’ " says Gauthier, an explorer at heart.
His trips take him east to Ottawa and throughout the U.S. He produces and posts about 90 minutes of high-quality video weekly, documenting each cross-country trip.
Voice-activated GoPro cameras safely capture Gauthier’s face while he’s driving, as well as the road ahead and the road behind. He carries a professional video camera and a drone for aerial work. Between trips, on his laptop in the cab, he carefully builds each video. The task may take 16 hours. "I’m very meticulous, very picky when I put it all together. I like scenes, transitions and music to all match."
Trucker Ray, as he’s known in his vlog, averages nine or ten new followers daily. "Ones that stick around are ones that the Lord is bringing. My YouTubers are amazing," he says.
It’s all volunteer ministry. "I love sharing the Word of God. I love editing. I love using cameras. I love the feedback. A lot of my YouTubers are ex-truckers. A lot can’t get out to travel. They absolutely love seeing the scenery and cities, and driving with me. It gives them a chance to escape and hear that Word of God at the same time." –JOHN DIETZ
B.C.-based long-haul trucker Ray Gauthier runs the popular YouTube vlog Life on the Road with Yeshua and Trucker Ray. PHOTOS: YOUTUBE