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Pull up to the window and pray Phoenix church offers spiritual pick-me-ups along with coffee By WENDY SIPOREN PHOENIX -- For two years it was known as the church of the Red Lion, meeting every Sunday in one of the motel's conference rooms. Last month, New Song Church found a home in a former bank building and began making a name for itself in drive-through services. From 6 a.m. to noon every day except Sunday, commuters through Phoenix can get a free cup of coffee and a prayer at the church's drive-up window on Highway 99. "It's not like McDonald's," said church member Meagan Iverson of Jacksonville. "It's not like we have a line of cars backed up." Iverson volunteers at the drive-through window from 7 to 9 every morning. Most of the people driving through are more curious than thirsty, she says. On an average day she will see four to six people at the window. But Iverson says the numbers aren't important. "We know that we're doing our part just by being there," she said. "Our intent ... is to have the church open. A closed church isn't serving the community." Pastor Don Mickelson also says his church isn't selling fast-food religion. While describing himself as an entrepreneur, Mickelson says the drive-through wasn't conceived as a marketing device for the growing fellowship. "Our focus is really to give the church to the community rather than have the community come to the church," he said. Mickelson staffs the window from 6 to 7 a.m. before he drives to Jacksonville to teach New Testament Greek and historical theology at Cascade Christian High School. Although response to the drive-through has been lukewarm so far, Mickelson says he is so encouraged by the concept that the church will expand to 24-hour-a-day service in mid-January. Whether or not people use the drive-through, Mickelson says the time will be well-spent. "We believe that God is the answer to people's problems," he explained. "We want to emphasize the power and the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives." Four years ago the spirit moved Mickelson, his wife, Brenda, and their four children from Astoria, where he had been pastor at another church for 11 years. "The Lord wanted us to plant a church somewhere," Mickelson said of his move. After a lot of prayer and thought, Mickelson and four other families decided that the Rogue Valley was a perfect match for their vision and needs -- it offered a growing population and sunnier weather. They began building a constituency for the church by knocking on doors. In the past three and a half years, the church has met at a motel, a Seventh-day Adventist Church and an elementary school. Membership has increased by 50 percent since they moved into their new building -- almost 100 people attended services last Sunday. Mickelson describes his worship as a "Holy Spirit renewal, nondenominational Christian fellowship." Informal Sunday services combine contemporary music, prayer and preaching. "We have a lot of fun," said Iverson, who plays piano during services. "But not to the point of irreverence. We are there to worship God." In addition to the drive-through, Mickelson says the building, formerly a Wells Fargo branch office, fit the church's need for parking and inexpensive rent. They've removed all the service counters and added art to the walls. Mickelson had to lock open the door to the vault before he set up office inside. He plans to hang a quote from scripture on the door saying, "I will open the door for you that no one will close." Sunday worship begins at 10 a.m. Children's programs and a nursery are available. For more information, call 858-8907 or just drive by 404 N. Main. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1998, Medford, Oregon USA