Rudy Rasmus is an author, pastor, street ethicist, and global humanitarian with a passion for outreach to our world’s most impoverished citizens. Pastor Rudy co-pastors the St. John’s United Methodist Church located in Downtown Houston with his wife Juanita.
Beginning with 9 existing members in 1992, over 12,000 people (4,000 of the total were homeless or formerly homeless) have joined St. John’s making it one of the most culturally diverse congregations in the country where every week people of every social and economic background share the same pew. He attributes the success of the ministry to a compassionate congregation who
has embraced the vision of tearing down the walls of classism, sexism, and racism and building bridges of unconditional love, universal recovery, and unprecedented hope.
Pastor Rudy has contributed monthly to Oprah Winfrey’s “O Magazine” in an ethics column entitled “Now What Do I Do.” He is also featured monthly in Epitome Magazine, and will soon take his “Ask Pastor Rudy” street ethics to the world weekly via radio where he will provide answers for listeners' toughest challenges. He’s also the author of the new book, “Touch: Pressing against the wounds of a broken world” (Thomas Nelson Publishers) which profiles his interesting life story, his unique brand of faith sharing, and the radical hospitality learned in his previous life as the owner of a “borderline bordello” in Houston, Texas. Pastor Rudy’s first music project entitled “Touch: The Pastor Rudy Experience” on Music World Entertainment’s gospel label features phenomenal artists like Brian Courtney Wilson and Adrian Anderson of Trin-i-tee 5:7.
Pastor Rudy founded Bread of Life, Inc. (a not-for-profit corporation) with Juanita in 1992 and began serving dinners to the homeless in the sanctuary at St. John’s. Years later, Bread of Life has changed the landscape of Downtown Houston providing 9 tons of fresh food weekly to hungry families, 12,000 hot meals monthly and nightly housing to hundreds of chronically homeless men and women. The Rasmus’ also developed the Temenos Community Development Corporation and, thanks to a generous donation from long time friends Tina, Mathew, Beyoncé, and Solange Knowles, the $6 million Knowles-Temenos Place Apartments recently opened providing 43 formerly homeless residents a permanent-supportive apartment to take significant steps in improving their lives after personal and natural disasters. As a part of his global humanitarian efforts, Pastor Rudy coordinates domestic and global anti-hunger initiatives in conjunction with Beyoncé’s concert tours throughout the world.
Rudy and Juanita have been married for 25 years and are the proud parents of two daughters, Morgan and Ryan.
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The American Heart Association has joined with GMC, formerly the Gospel Music Channel and Music World Gospel to educate people about stroke through an online gospel singing competition.
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