In 1979, Marvin and Paula Graves made a life changing decision to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. As a result, they felt the calling to minister to truck drivers as they, themselves, were owner operators.
After selling their truck, a W-Series Mack cabover, they joined up with Transport For Christ, a national organization dedicated to ministering to truck drivers. A 28' Winnebago Motor Home was the Chapel at the Union 76 Truckstop in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Marvin drove local for Saia Motor Freight during the day and went to the truck stop each evening and on Sunday.
In 1982, Marvin felt the Lord leading them to start their own ministry and Truckin' Troubadors For Christ was formed in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Starting out in a 1979 Oldsmobile and 12' Camper Trailer, they hit the road going from truck stop to truck stop. It was difficult getting permission to set up at the truck stops because they didn't have a truck and the management, understandably, thought they might be husting the drivers. It is good that management looks out for the drivers.
In 1983, Thurman's RV in Tulsa donated a 32' Holiday Rambler Camper to the ministry, which gave them a little more room, still, no truck.
Then, in 1984, a friend and former employer, Ebb Rose, owner of J.H. Rose Truck Lines of Houston, Tx., 
visited a service by the Truckin' Troubadors and invited them to come to his office the next day. When they arrived, Mr. Rose had the paperwork completed and he donated his personal truck, the Ramblin' Rose, to the The Truckin' Troubadors For Christ. This truck, a 1972 Peterbilt with a 1693, 425 hp Caterpillar engine and 13 speed transmission, was known throughout the country in the trucking industry.
Soon after, they purchased a 48' Great Dane trailer from a clothing chain, that had gone out of business 
and set about making a Mobile Chapel called "The Travelin' Tabernacle". The front half of the trailer had living quarters and the back half was the chapel with pews that would seat 12 people.
This was the key to getting into the truck stops. A normal route for them, starting in January was West Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, and back down to Houston. The second half of the year took them up East Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota and back down to Houston. Traveling on Mondays, they normally were set up Tuesday through Sunday being available 24 hours.
With some, limited musical ability, Marvin began writing songs that they would record to make cd's that were made available to the truckers. Most of the songs were geared especially to truckers. Hence, the name Troubadors which means "traveling musician'.
In 1995, the Troubadors came back to Cortez to take care of Marvin's father, who had prostate cancer. No longer on the road, they obtained permission to set a 10'X32' portable building in the corner of the M&M truckstop in Cortez next to the old Port of Entry building.
Marvin went to work delivering propane to residences in the area. Paula was available during the day at the Chapel, and both came nightly to be available to the drivers. In 2004, the M&M closed down and the Troubadors had to move the building.
Marvin filled in at various churches in the county until becoming Pastor at First Baptist Church of Cortez. In 2019, Paula passed away and Marvin retired from both the propane company and First Baptist
In 2021, Marvin married a wonderful lady, Diana, the piano player at First Baptist, who shared the same interest in ministering to truck drivers.
Our focus is in helping the truck drivers who come through Cortez. Some have a family crisis at home, and they are out here on the road and can't meet that need at home. We pray with them for that. Some have been hassled at the Port of Entry, either just or unjust, and they just need someone who will let them vent.
We take drivers to Wal Mart or grocery stores where they can't take their truck. Of couse, we do Sunday church services for those who can't be at their home church. Our services are non-denominational and every truck driver is welcome.
Whatever that driver needs at the time, we do our best to fill that need, both physically and spiritually. We are available 24 hours.