St. John the Divine | Houston, TX
Our Church, Our Home
Stewardship 2027
St. John the Divine is truly our home — it’s the place we come back to week after week, month after month, year after year. It’s where we find happiness, comfort, and the warmth of friendship through the changing seasons of our lives. We give so that others in our community and all of Houston can feel the love of God!
— Mark Boucher & Elaine Ybarra
Our Church, Our Home
A church becomes home in a thousand ordinary moments:
- In worship shared, bread broken, and prayers spoken.
- When a child discovers how deeply God loves them.
- When we come alongside one another in prayer
and thanksgiving, in joy and in grief. - When, together, we experience the divine within the everyday.
Moment by moment, our church becomes our home.
Ministry Snapshot
GATHER in Christ
- 850 people worship together on an average Sunday.
- 250+ new members have joined our community in 2026.
Grow as disciples
- 200+ children and youth are growing in faith through Sunday school.
- 443 households are gathering and growing in small groups this fall.
Go and serve
- 5,000+ Lamar High School student visits were recorded at the SJD Snack Shack during the 2025–2026 school year, where 63 volunteers built relationships, shared kindness, and reminded students they are valued and loved.
It is God's intention that we grow more generous and take bigger steps in our giving as we become more aware of how richly God has blessed us in Christ. Each step you take on the giving path is a spiritual response to God's goodness and blessings in our lives.
- Starting Giver
First time to pledge - Intentional Giver
Making a challenging pledge - Growing Giver
Moving towards a tithe - Tither
Giving 10% of your income - Extravagant Giver
Giving beyond the tithe
There is no price on the gift of faith; however, there is significant cost to running a church. We want many others to be able to receive the blessings of God through SJD that we continue to receive.
— Frances & Tim Arnoult
Your Gifts at Work
When you pledge to St. John the Divine, your gifts shine as a light for our city and world. In fact, 10% of every dollar you give supports local and global missions that feed the hungry, serve the needy, and support families. In 2026, $708,500 in Go Grant funds supported 31 community and nonprofit partners.
Where Your Money Goes
Your pledge supports every part of our shared life and ministry.
2026 Results
$7 million | 661 pledges
2027 Goals
$7.25 million | 700 pledges
Consider This: Every generation’s participation is essential to sustaining the worship, ministries, and community we share. 71% of pledged dollars at St. John the Divine come from households age 61 and older. How is God calling you to be part of this shared ministry?
Make Your Pledge Go Further
Thanks to the generosity of two SJD members, two challenge grants will make new and increased pledges go even further in 2027.
- Under 40: A new pledge of $500 or more unlocks an additional $1,000. Increases to existing pledges are matched dollar for dollar, up to $25,000 in matching funds.
- Ages 40 – 60: Every $1 in new or increased giving unlocks an additional $0.50 with up to $175,000 available.
A pledge is your financial commitment to give to St. John the Divine over the coming year. It provides the foundation for our annual budget and helps us plan faithfully for worship, ministry, and outreach.
Pledging is both spiritual and practical. Spiritually, it is an act of faith and gratitude, and a way of responding to God’s blessings in your life. Practically, it allows St. John the Divine to plan responsibly.
One hundred percent of our budget is funded by parishioners. Pledges allow us to plan with confidence for ministry in the coming year.
A pledge is a promise made in advance. While one-time gifts are deeply appreciated, pledges make it possible for the church to prepare for the year ahead, ensuring ministries are sustained week by week.
Shine Forth and our annual stewardship campaign support different needs. Shine Forth invests in SJD’s campus and future, while your annual pledge supports the day-to-day life and ministry of our church—including worship, formation, outreach, pastoral care, staff, and campus care. Both help sustain the church we share today and prepare it for generations to come.
We are grateful for you! All givers matter and every pledge makes a difference.
Please help us meet our goal of 700 pledges and $7.25 million in pledged dollars. Thank you in advance for your generosity and partnership in Christ!
Questions about your pledge or need assistance setting up your payment? Contact Katherine Palmer, accounting assistant.