Former Tre Lounge becoming Tre Ministries

Oct. 15, 2018

The former Tre Lounge is being converted into Tre Ministries, a space for high school and college students.

It’s founded by Sandy Berven, who spent a decade working with children and families through Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. She began focusing on high school students five years ago and was motivated to create a space for young adults to spend time and build community.

“I hope to bring churches outside their church walls and into a space where they can actually meet young adults,” she said.

Tre, which closed in early 2017 at 601 W. 33rd  St., had been on the market ever since. Berven is leasing it from the Olson family, whom she met through Gloria Dei, and said its proximity to Augustana University and the University of Sioux Falls is ideal.

“They granted permission to use the name, thought it was a great name and fits very well,” Berven said.

Tre Ministries is a nonprofit open to all faiths. Berven was inspired to start it after visiting her children in college and meeting with other young adults struggling to find a sense of home away from home.

“I was continually hearing that they are missing their faith,” Berven said. “What they will say specifically is they don’t have anyone. They fought to get away and be on their own, and now there’s not one adult checking on them. They miss it more than they thought they would.”

She envisions Tre Ministries as “a safe place to build relationships and find connections and be part of a community.”

Part of the space will be a coffee bar that will be open to the public.

“It’s young adult- and high school-focused, but all are welcome,” Berven said. “We’ll start simple and see what the kids want and need, but we know they need espresso and caffeine, so we’re focused on that. We’ll have food for events and a few things through the coffee shop, but it won’t be a restaurant.”

Beginning Nov. 1, hours will be 6:30 to 11 a.m. and 3 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. During the midday hours, Berven hopes to program lunch-and-learns for young adults.

“We want to bring in business owners or leaders and have them share their faith life with the kids and have the kids be able to ask questions,” she said.

“Every Friday, we want to have some live music happening in the lounge area, and we love the idea of having colleges and high school students set up an art gallery to showcase the kids’ talents.”

In between, students likely will use the space to do homework, hold group meetings, attend Bible studies or play games.

“The reason I believe Tre is something we need in our city is because there is no other place where students who are not 21 can hang out in a safe environment and have fun and not feel uncomfortable,” said Elizabeth Enalls, who met Berven through Gloria Dei and was featured in a video announcing Tre Ministries.

“The market is here. I’m seeing students coming with their backpacks, sitting at a table doing a project. I believe in this mission. I know it will be fruitful.”

Tre Ministries will hold a kickoff event and NFL watch party from 1:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 21 that will include a silent auction to help raise funds for the nonprofit. Its revenue model includes donations, renting some of the space for events and the coffee bar.

The space can be used for free by churches and organizations for activities compatible with Tre’s mission.

“We just want as many people to see it as possible, and you’ll see some of the young adults playing their music and at the coffee bar,” Berven said.

“It’s been a great, overwhelming, humbling experience.”

To learn more, visit treministries.org or contact Berven at [email protected].

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Former Tre Lounge becoming Tre Ministries

The former Tre Lounge is being converted into Tre Ministries, a space for high school and college students.

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