Finding Faith-Based Community on the Road: A Conversation with Gathering of Nomads

Sponsored by RV Roofing Solutions

Looking for a faith-based community while traveling? Join the conversation in our Facebook community and share your experiences using #LTRVFaith.

"Where do you go to church?" It's a simple question with a complicated answer when your home’s on wheels. Rolling into a new town every few weeks can make the thought of walking into another unfamiliar church, explaining you're just passing through, and watching people's enthusiasm fade when they realize you won't be back exhausting.

Many RVers who grew up in traditional church communities feel spiritually adrift on the road. Not because they've lost their faith, but because they miss the fellowship. Potlucks, prayer chains, Bible studies, and Sunday morning rhythms once anchored their weeks. But they’ve evaporated into a string of one-time church visits where no one knows their name.

But what if there was a faith community as mobile as your lifestyle?

What This Episode Is About

In episode 15 of Learn To RV: The Podcast, Jennifer sits down with Shane Boyd, founder of Gathering of Nomads, for an honest conversation about finding and building faith-based community on the road. This isn't a theological debate. It's a practical and heartfelt discussion about how believers can stay connected to God and each other when traditional church structures don't fit their nomadic reality.

Shane's journey from traditional church pastor to nomadic ministry leader reveals a gap in how the church serves travelers. When he and his wife started RVing, they discovered a thriving community of believers who’d been orphaned by the very institution meant to welcome them. They met countless people who struggled to maintain a spiritual community while constantly on the move.

Gathering of Nomads was born from that experience. It was not created to be another organization demanding membership fees or building an empire, but rather as a grassroots movement training everyday believers to be the church wherever they are.

This episode is essential listening if you're:

• Missing the spiritual community you had before hitting the road
• Feeling disconnected from your faith while traveling
• Wanting to connect with other Christian RVers without judgment or pressure
• Curious how to maintain spiritual disciplines while constantly moving
• Looking for meaningful ways to serve in the campgrounds you visit
• Trying to provide faith-based experiences for your kids on the road
• Interested in what nomadic ministry actually looks like in practice
• Seeking community that travels with you instead of tying you down

What You'll Learn: Beyond Sunday School

Traditional church happens at specific times in specific buildings with specific people. But what if it could happen anywhere?

Shane introduces the BLESS model — a simple framework for building authentic spiritual relationships on the road. It's not complicated, doesn't require seminary training, and works whether you're an extrovert who thrives on connection or an introvert who prefers deeper conversations with fewer people.

We dive into practical questions RVers actually face:

• How do you find like-minded believers when you roll into a new campground?
• What does remote discipleship look like when your mentor is three states away?
• Can you really maintain meaningful friendships when you're constantly moving?
• Do you have to choose between adventure and spiritual community, or can you have both?

Learn about the Gathering of Nomads app that makes it easier for nomads to find gatherings, Bible studies, and worship services. Find out how you can get involved with their nationwide chapter program and hear about Love Thy Nomad, a rolling benevolence fund that supports travelers in crisis.

Shane also addresses the elephant in the RV: what about people who aren't Christians? What about believers whose kids have walked away from their faith after negative experiences? The answers might surprise you and challenge assumptions you may have about what faith-based community means.

 Ready to Dive Deeper?

This episode of Learn To RV: The Podcast offers a refreshingly honest look at spirituality and community on the road. Jennifer and Shane don't shy away from tough topics, like discipleship and leadership and finding belonging in unexpected places. This conversation goes beyond surface-level encouragement to explore what it really takes to maintain a vibrant faith while traveling full-time.

Whether you're missing your church family, tired of institutional religion, or never thought spiritual community was possible on the road, this episode offers practical insights and genuine hope.

Where to Listen and How to Connect

Ready to discover how faith and full-time travel can coexist? Listen to "Finding Faith-Based Community on the Road: A Conversation with Gathering of Nomads" on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you stream your favorite podcasts.

For exclusive content and deeper conversations, join our Patreon Campfire Crew. You’ll find bonus episodes, extended interviews, early access to new content, and special merch. Choose from three different Campfire tiers, each offering unique benefits to enhance your Learn To RV experience

Then continue the conversation in our Learn To RV: The Podcast Community on Facebook. Share your own faith journey on the road using #LTRVFaith, ask questions about connecting, and discover how other RVers are maintaining spiritual community while traveling.

For more resources on full-time RV living, building community, and finding purpose on the road, explore the articles and guides at learntorv.com.

Interested in connecting with Gathering of Nomads? Visit gatheringofnomads.com to learn about upcoming gatherings, download their app, explore the chapter program, or listen to The Collective Thread Podcast, where believers share testimonies of what God is doing in their lives on the road.

The Message

You don't have to choose between adventure and faith. Don't settle for shallow connections or surrender the spiritual community that anchors your life. You certainly don't have to navigate this journey alone.

The nomadic road doesn't have to be a spiritual desert. With intentionality, the right connections, and a community that understands the unique challenges of nomadic life, you can experience deeper faith and richer community than you ever thought possible — all while living the adventure you've always dreamed of.

Wherever you're parked right now, there are believers nearby who would love to gather around a campfire with you. People who won't judge your messy journey, turn you into a project, or expect you to have all the answers. Just fellow travelers trying to follow Jesus while living life on the road.

The question isn't if a faith-based community is possible while RVing. The question is: are you ready to experience it?

Sponsored by RV Roofing Solutions

While you're building community and making connections, RV Roofing Solutions protects your home on wheels. Their experienced technicians provide thorough inspections and complete roof replacements, helping you travel with confidence. Visit rvroofingsolutions.com to start protecting your investment so you can focus on what matters most — living out your faith and building community on the road.