About Us

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My name is Chad Roedema.

I did not grow up in the church, I grew up only caring about Chad and all my fleshly desires.  I have struggled with being addicted to drugs, porn, sex, gambling and just about anything else that was not good for me.

When I was 25 years old, I found myself with a rope around my neck, with my last foot about to step off the chair and end it all.  The Lord said, "Chad, don't do that".  September 16, 1996 I gave my life to Jesus.

I met my wife in October of 1996 and we were married the following year. The first 12 years of our marriage were awful. I was still deep in sin. I was fired from two jobs and still lived to please only Chad.  Until a Sunday in September of 2008. I was at church and at I heard a voice say, "Chad you have made a mess of your life, time to let me take over." Right then, and there, the Lord changed my life and gave me a passion for missions.

In October of 2008 my journey with Transport For Christ began. I was the lead chaplain in Byron Center, MI. until 2018 when I got promoted to Director of US Operations. That time period was a stressful time for me. In March of 2022 the Lord laid it on my heart to resign from TFC and start a new ministry. In April 2022 Refuge Chapel Ministries was found.

I look back on my life and I was never a truck driver and yet all of the things I struggled with, and God freed me from, were to prepare me for God's calling on my life. I am a sinner saved by grace. I know what I was before  God's redeeming work in my life, and I know where I am now; and I am still far off. I will not be complete until I meet Jesus, but until then I strive to show the love of Jesus and offer hope to others. Ephesians 2:8-9 and Romans 10:5-15 are my favorite verses.

In the picture is myself, my wife, Laurie, daughter Tara and son in law Sam, and son Evan. Nov 21 2022 we will celebrate 25 years of marriage. God is so good.