While serving as a pastor, volunteering as a police chaplain and doing foster
care in Bremerton, Washington in the 1990s, Dave and Cindy Frederick began to
see a part of Bremerton they had never really noticed before. Drug abuse. Homelessness.
Gang activity. Violence. They came face to face with youth whose lives were
a spiraling plummet towards lifelong incarceration, addiction or death. They
had to do something.
They began Hope in Christ Ministries, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation in
November 1996 as a first step towards making a difference in the lives of hurting
youth. On July 1, 1997 they purchased The Coffee Oasis, located on 622 Warren
Avenue in Bremerton, to provide a place to serve such youth.
Teen Night began at The Coffee Oasis on the first Friday evening of September
1997. What started with 4 youth coming from "smokers' corner" across
the street from Bremerton High School to “check it out” has seen hundreds
of youth pass through over the past years. Some just come to check out the action.
Many make it their regular Friday night place to be.
On July 1, 1998 The Coffee Oasis was relocated to 822 Burwell Street in Bremerton.
This provided a much larger space to grow both the business and the ministry.
What began as Teen Night has also led to expanded ministry such as: Oasis Center, Street Hope, The Refuge, Bible studies, mentoring, job-training, jail visitation, provision of temporary housing, pastoral counseling, helping with community service, tutoring and special outings.