They found religion, decent burgers, and lasting friendships at a North Jersey truck stop

Go find Sherry, he told Olivier, and he’s been coming ever since.

“So the thing is, it’s not only a Bible study, but also a welcoming therapy,” Olivier said. “And it’s kind of contagious.”

“It’s free too,” Blackman added.

Even Betty Jennings, a longtime waitress at Country Pride, has felt the spiritual side effects of serving a Bible study group. On this Wednesday night, she scribbled down “cheeseburger and fries” a few times and dropped some sad news on Blackman and the crew: she was leaving the restaurant.

“I eavesdrop on the conversations and I’m going to miss them,” she said. “It’s a special group.”

Tears welled up in Jennings’s eyes, then she went silent and walked back to the kitchen.

“It’s OK,” Blackman said to her.

After an hour at the counter, the conversation moved to a larger table in the restaurant and Jennings followed them with a tray of coffee and hot tea. Most members of the group laid dog-eared Bibles, stuffed with colored post-it notes, on the table, even Olivier. He was eager to discuss predestination.

“He has to pick the most difficult doctrine in the entire New Testament,” Blackman joked.

Glasses and silverware clinked in the kitchen. Justin Timberlake’s “Mirrors” played on the overhead speakers. Truckers carried in laundry. Some browsed the air fresheners and energy drinks and others waited in line for takeout, raising their eyes now and then to glance at the dozen or so people laughing and debating the good word in the side room of a truck stop restaurant.

“It is my belief that God knows everything. He knew before. He knows how it’s going to end. He knows everything,” said Tom Mazur, a retired educator with a booming voice. “As far as free will and choice, he’s given us that and that’s the beauty of life.”

Eurich, who delivers gasoline throughout the Poconos, said the truck stop baptism doesn’t guarantee safe passage on the highways, but it can’t hurt.

“I know God is looking out for no matter what,” he said, “but I’m a good driver.”