Mike Manganello felt God calling him to begin the bus travel resource Lightrider Ministries after five years of praying, dreaming and waiting on the Lord’s guidance for the best moment to start it.
Manganello had worked for Wandering Wheels for 15 years, a cross-country ministry connected to Taylor University from 1963 to 2017. Wandering Wheels focused on ministering to young people through bus and bicycle trips. Manganello felt led to continue the practice of intercontinental travel, focusing on the concept of double-decker buses traveling across America at night.
In 1987 he co-founded Lightrider Ministries with his Wandering Wheels coworker Bob Walker to make his dream a reality.
“I’ve just seen God’s hand in all of this,” said Manganello.
Lightrider Ministries was named for the idea of sharing the Gospel while offering communal night travel.
They provided transportation for camps, tours exploring parts of America and university classes for summer camps or J-term trips. The Lightrider team traveled to and hosted tours in Nova Scotia, Los Angeles, Orlando, Chicago, Washington, D.C. and more. It partnered with churches across multiple denominations, including Methodist, Charismatic, Presbyterian and even some Amish.
During Lightrider’s “mobile retreat,” the focus of the tours was fellowship and sharing the Scriptures in a casual, engaging way with students or adults.
“(Our team would) have a devotional each day, and driving home we’d have a church service,” Manganello said. “On the last day, our final devotional would be more direct about sharing our faith. By being there four days and four nights, we felt like we were being asked and earning the right to share.”
When it existed as a transcontinental ministry, Lightrider relied on volunteer work, reputation and private donations, many of which came from Taylor connections. One notable example was Jay Kesler, former president of Taylor University and Lightrider board member. Many past students and faculty also helped with Lightrider during their time in Upland.
Outdoor activity was a large element of the ministry, with aspects of evangelism woven in. Cycling, wrestling, climbing and making food together also became a platform for the staff members to share how God worked in their lives. Though the activities themselves varied, they always provided opportunities for fellowship and discipleship.
“In Georgia we had a high school athlete brave enough to ask questions. We had kids (also on the trip) listening who weren’t brave enough to ask questions but who wanted to know the answers,” said Manganello. “The conversation went on for six to eight hours.”
Lightrider’s mobile structure came to an end after 2019. With the plaguing issue of unexpected staff turnover, Manganello and his team prayed for direction. The solution was to give their buses to Eagle Wings, a local Christian bus ministry, and retire from intercontinental travel for the time being.
Lightrider built RedBarn and GrayBarn in the early 2000s, both of which are still active today. The RedBarn houses the ongoing Print Shop ministry, providing a safe after-school program for local children while sharing the Gospel. The GrayBarn hosts devotionals, exercise classes and Bible studies for at-risk seniors in the community.
As of 2026, Lightrider Ministries continues to operate as a local resource, serving the needs of children and seniors in Upland. Its secondary focus has become educating people about America’s biblical heritage.
The extensive history of Lightrider Ministries is covered in the book “Adventures in Christian Fellowship: An American Bus Driver’s Perspective on God and Country.” Manganello wrote the book based on his experiences and offers free copies for anyone interested. They will be available at the GrayBarn, at Taylor University during the graduation ceremony, and at the campus bookstore after May 9.
