Reserve your spot today to be inspired, have fun, and celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. as part of our iLead Youth Engagement Program for 8^th graders and a parent or guardian. The deadline to apply is December 2.

From January to May 2023, participants will meet monthly to explore greater Houston’s religious and cultural diversity, learn what allyship means, meet local community leaders and high school students, and participate in volunteer projects. A fun MLK themed photography contest is also planned. The three top three winners will receive a prize.

The program launches January 15 with an in-person program about MLK, a presentation from City Council Member Edward Pollard, and a volunteer project to benefit hungry people in our community.

“iLead is a fantastic way for students and parents or guardians to share quality time with each other and meet others, get tips on moving from middle school to high school, and impact our community in a positive way,” said Gayla Wilson, IRCP’s Program Manager Community Engagement and iLead’s organizer.

This program is made possible through the lead sponsorship of CITGO Petroleum Corporation, and, in part, from Lisa and John Walker and the Rabbi Samuel E. Karff Memorial Fund.

IMpulse is a diverse, civic-minded group of young professionals meeting regularly to network, hear from key change-makers on important issues, have access to online nonprofit leadership courses, and make an impact together through volunteerism. Organized by Program Manager Community Engagement Gayla Wilson, with Nate Church, Fatimah Ali, and Katie Floyd Wang, IMpulse develops future leaders for Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston and our community.

Applications open October 31 for young professionals to get involved with this dynamic, talented, and diverse group.

Wendy Cooper is a wonderful example of the power of IMpulse. She graduated from IMpulse, then joined and led our women’s initiative, IMpower, and is now a Board Member of Interfaith Ministries.

“IMpulse was a wonderful way for me to learn, meet some amazing people, and be a part of a wonderful organization,” Wendy emphasized. “I encourage Houston area young professionals to get involved in IMpulse. This experience changed my life and put me on a leadership path that allows me to make a difference.”

Groups explore Houston through the lens of faith

We are now booking reservations for student, college, corporate, faith and community groups to explore our community’s cultural and religious diversity on one of our specially designed house of worship visits.

Groups can visit a mosque, synagogue, and church on our House of Abraham experience.  See the beauty of a Hindu temple, a Buddhist temple, a Sikh gurdwara, a Bahai center, a Zoroastrian temple, and a Jain temple on our Eastern Religions experience. Hear the stories of Houston’s oldest historically Black churches founded more than 150 years ago and see the impact they made on civil rights as part of our Houston, Emancipation & the Church experience. Learn more about the architectural elements of some of our community’s exquisite houses of worship.  Visit a Catholic, Protestant, and Eastern Orthodox church as part of our Branches of Christianity experience or let us customize an experience for your group.

Recently, students at Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart and St. Francis Episcopal Church visited the River Oaks Islamic Center and Congregation Beth Yeshurun to learn about Islam and Judaism as part of their world religion classes. One student had this to say: “I appreciated the conversation. It made me more comfortable.”

Organized by Program Manager Interfaith Engagement Kim Mabry and Project Coordinator Jenny Abbott, each experience will include an IM staff or trained docent, visits with knowledgeable faith leaders, and a reflection discussion at the last site.