Church offers a cup of joe " and Jesus

Brett Metcalf is becoming an early morning fixture at 480 Clear Creek Ave., in front of Excited for Jesus church.

His energetic wave and smile is causing many to return the action, and for some, take a second look.

"Hallelujah," Metcalf, pastor of Excited for Jesus, says as a driver smiles and waves back. A few drivers honk.

For about three weeks now, Metcalf has placed a pop-up tent and table in front of the church. He's there from 6:45 to about 8:30 a.m., waving and smiling to passersby, offering a hot cup of coffee and a side of prayer, for those who ask.

He calls his mission, "The Prayerful Cup."

"The greatest thing about this is the response (from drivers)," Metcalf said. "They're all smiling and waving.

"I wish someone would wave to me on my way to work. I'd stop and talk with them."

Metcalf said The Prayerful Cup is a form of outreach by the church.

"We're trying to affect the community by doing what God allows us to do. God put this on my heart months ago."

Metcalf said about 230 cars go by in the hour and 45 minutes he is set up, with 90 percent of cars passing by between 7:30 and 7:50. Tuesday morning, he did receive a prayer request from a woman who is 8 months pregnant.

"She thought just before she came by, it would be nice to get a cup of coffee," Metcalf said. "But she had no money.

"She turned at the corner, saw me and what I offered and stopped. Then told me she needed prayer. As I prayed for her, she and the young girl with her began to cry."

Metcalf said most prayer requests are for mercy, safe travel, marriages and jobs.

Lori Vaca of Dayton stopped by with her daughter, Anna, 10, and Anna's classmate Jessie Balkwell, also 10, as she was taking them to school.

"I think it's really cool," Vaca said as she sipped her coffee.

The trio were at Prayerful Cup about 10 minutes. Each of the girls waved to passing cars offering their own smiles.

"It's fun," Jessie said.

Carson City resident Martin Manning stopped on his way to work. He said he thinks it's a great idea and would hope every neighborhood in the U.S. would catch on.

"Everybody needs prayer," Manning said.

Joe Eiben, of Carson City, made his first stop two weeks ago. He heard Metcalf was offering free coffee and prayer and wanted to support him.

"I asked him to pray for my son, Mark," Eiben said. "And it looked like God took care of that prayer. Things are much better for Mark."

Metcalf asks his volunteers if they knew a coffee maker was in the Bible.

"He-brews," he said.

"Coffee and humor," said Sharron Brewer, who along with her husband, Larry, appreciates Metcalf's efforts.

"I think this is great," Larry said. "Too bad we couldn't have started it sooner."

Metcalf said the coffee, cream and cups are a donation from Grandma Hattie's and Villa Basque Deli.

Sharron Brewer said it's a non-invasive offering of coffee and prayer.

"You feel like you're with family," she said. "And you don't have to get out of your car."

"It's funny how some drivers take a look, then turn their head and take a second look," said Tom Been.

For Metcalf, it's all about the outreach " not what goes on inside the church, but what goes on outside the church " being part of the community.

"We go into convalescent homes, the prison " it's just amazing," he said. "It's about the smiles. Smiling makes you happy."

- Contact Rhonda Costa at rcosta@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.