Our Church, Our Home | More Than a Snack

When TeTe Bankita first came to St. John the Divine, she wasn’t looking for a church home. The Lamar High School student was looking for Bibles for the Bible Study Club she had started at school.

She found the Bibles. She also found something she wasn’t expecting.

“When I first came to the church, I met Madeline,” TeTe recalls. “She welcomed me with such kindness and immediately helped me get everything I needed for my club.”

That first welcome became the beginning of a much deeper connection with St. John the Divine.

What began as a simple idea for “Snow Cone Mondays” has grown into one of St. John the Divine’s most visible outreach ministries. Supported by more than 60 volunteers, SJD Snack Shack welcomes more than 150 Lamar students each week.

When the final bell rings on Monday afternoons at Lamar High School, students begin making their way across Westheimer to the SJD Snack Shack. Volunteers greet them with a snack and a friendly welcome: a simple reminder that the church across the street is a place where they are seen and cared for.

What began as a simple idea for “Snow Cone Mondays” has grown into one of St. John the Divine’s most visible outreach ministries. Supported by more than 60 volunteers, SJD Snack Shack welcomes more than 150 Lamar students each week.

“I wish every parishioner understood that Snack Shack isn’t really about the snacks,” says Madeline Spector, Director of Go Ministries. “Every Monday, we create a consistent, caring presence for Lamar High School students. A bag of popcorn, a snow cone, or a cup of hot chocolate may seem simple, but those small acts open the door to conversations, build trust, and remind students that they are seen, valued, and loved.”

TeTe knows firsthand how meaningful that simple welcome can be.

After her first encounter with St. John the Divine, she began volunteering at Snack Shack every Monday and soon started attending youth group and other church activities. A request for Bibles had opened the door to relationships that grew into something much more.

“Through St. John the Divine, I found a place where I truly belong,” TeTe says. “I found joy, purpose, and a community that feels like family. I will always be grateful to everyone at St. John the Divine for welcoming me with open arms and helping me find a home.”

As students return to Lamar this fall, Snack Shack will once again open its doors on Monday afternoons. There will be popcorn, snow cones, and hot chocolate, but as Madeline says, it has never really been about the snacks.

It’s about showing up, week after week. It’s about knowing a student’s name. It’s about creating a place where young people know they are seen, valued, and loved.

TeTe came across Westheimer looking for Bibles. She found those, and a place she now calls home.

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