A Lighted Path

A Lighted Path is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization created by the Church of St. John the Divine to develop initiatives focused on effective education, stable employment, and safe housing-for the benefit of Houston's underserved children and youth.

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Our Story

When the Rev. Dr. R. Leigh Spruill joined St. John the Divine in 2021, he shared a vision of the church being a 'Light for the City' in which St. John the Divine would seek ways to make an impact outside our walls.

Building on our history of generous outreach, St. John the Divine launched a major initiative called the Community Engagement Project to discern how the church could meaningfully enhance its impact through significant community engagement. Volunteers formed three teams to study disparate outcomes in the areas of education, employment, and housing. After months of research and reflection, the Community Engagement Project teams aligned on a shared focus: improving outcomes in our city for early childhood development, for school-aged youth, and for young adults aging out of foster care.

Continuing in 2022, these three core focuses were continually ignited by the passion of lay leaders seeking to improve the short-term and long-term outcomes of Houston’s youth. These efforts were developed and formed into the organization known today as A Lighted Path.

The purpose of A Lighted Path is to empower communities and leaders to develop initiatives focused on effective education, stable employment, and housing— for the benefit of underserved children & youth. By reaching beyond the walls of St. John the Divine through A Lighted Path, we will increase awareness of important unmet needs and invite our neighbors to share, serve and bring new perspectives to this work. We trust in the Lord’s grace and provision to use all of us to bring his love to our city and his Kingdom on earth.

At the end of 2023, A Lighted Path received its official 501c3 new nonprofit status, focused on implementing initiatives that will improve the short-term and long-term outcomes for the very young, for school-aged youth and for young adults disadvantaged by social and economic disparities.

Who We Are

A Lighted Path empowers communities and leaders to develop initiatives focused on effective education, stable employment, and housing—for the benefit of Houston’s underserved children and youth.

Guided by collaboration, we partner with schools, churches, nonprofits, and local organizations to build programs that meet real needs and create lasting impact. Through partnerships like DePelchin and Nabor House, we connect resources, relationships, and expertise to bridge critical gaps—from early childhood education to supporting young adults aging out of foster care.

Our team of dedicated volunteers and community leaders share a single mission: to illuminate pathways toward brighter, more stable futures for Houston’s children and youth.

Jesus called us to be 'Light for the City'.  We are asking our parishioners to find their place Alongside A Lighted Path:

• The Occasional Volunteer: These volunteers engage individually or in a group, based on their season of life. They seek to contribute to serving opportunities that are intermittent or one-time for several hours.
• The Consistent Volunteer: These volunteers participate regularly and desire to contribute on a regular weekly or monthly basis.
• The Highly Engaged Volunteer: These volunteers often begin as Occasional or Consistent Volunteers, but desire to become even more engaged. They are the champions of the cause and may assume leadership or coordinator roles.

There is a place for you along A Lighted Path—whether you can engage a few times a year, quarterly or even weekly.

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