Rudy Rasmus

Last updated

Rudy Rasmus is a pastor, author, and humanitarian. He is co-pastor of the St. John's United Methodist Church located in downtown Houston, along with his wife Juanita. St. John's began with nine members in 1992.

Contents

Career

Rasmus was a monthly contributor to Oprah Winfrey's O Magazine [1] and has recently completed a doctorate at United Theological Seminary. He is a 2008 gospel music industry Stellar Award nominee for the music project "Touch" and is the author of three books, including Jesus Insurgency with coauthor Dottie Escobedo-Frank (Abingdon Publishing, Nashville), and Touch: Pressing against the wounds of a broken world (Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville). His latest book is entitled Love.Period – When all else fails. [2]

Rasmus founded a nonprofit corporation, the Bread of Life, Inc. with his wife in December 1992 and began serving dinners to the homeless in the sanctuary at St. John's. The organization provides an array of services to homeless men and women seven nights a week in the Bread of Life facility on the St. John's campus. The project provides hot meals to the homeless and distributes over 9 tons of fresh food weekly to hungry families. The Temenos CDC portfolio includes the Knowles-Temenos Apartments, a 43-unit Single Room Occupancy development, the 80-unit Temenos II Apartments both designed to provide permanent living accommodations for formerly homeless individuals, and the Temenos III Apartments designed for chronic inebriates and the most vulnerable homeless individuals in the Houston community. Eighteen years ago Kelly Rowland teamed up with Beyoncé and Tina Knowles to build the Knowles-Rowland Center for Youth where community empowerment activities for the young and old take place every week. Most recently Pastor Rudy teamed up with Tina and Beyoncé to help 100,000 flood victims in the wake of Hurricane Harvey in Houston. [ citation needed ]

St. John's provides HIV/AIDS testing to churchgoers on Sundays through the "Get Tested Project." After many years of service to the community, Pastor Rudy received the Jefferson Award at a ceremony in Washington, DC in 2009. For years Pastor Rudy coordinated domestic and global anti-hunger initiatives in conjunction with Beyoncé’s concert tours and travels extensively developing food programs around the world for people experiencing food insufficiency.[ citation needed ]

Personal life

Rasmus and his wife Juanita have been married for 34 years. They have two daughters.[ citation needed ]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beyoncé</span> American singer and songwriter (born 1981)

Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter is an American singer, songwriter and businesswoman. Dubbed as "Queen Bey", she is regarded as a prominent cultural figure of the 21st century and has been recognized for her artistry and performances, with Rolling Stone naming her one of the greatest vocalists of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Destiny's Child</span> American girl group (1990–2006)

Destiny's Child was an American musical girl group whose final line-up comprised Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams. The group began their musical career as Girl's Tyme, formed in 1990 in Houston, Texas. After years of limited success, the original quartet comprising Knowles, Rowland, LaTavia Roberson, and LeToya Luckett were signed in 1997 to Columbia Records as Destiny's Child. The group was launched into mainstream recognition following the release of the song "No, No, No" and their best-selling second album, The Writing's on the Wall (1999), which contained the number-one singles "Bills, Bills, Bills" and "Say My Name", alongside successful singles "Bug a Boo" and "Jumpin', Jumpin'". Despite critical and commercial success, the group was plagued by internal conflict and legal turmoil, as Roberson and Luckett attempted to split from the group's manager Mathew Knowles, citing favoritism of Knowles and Rowland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kelly Rowland</span> American singer and actress (born 1981)

Kelendria Trene Rowland is an American singer, actress, and television personality. She rose to fame in the late 1990s as a member of Destiny's Child, one of the world's best-selling girl groups. During the group's three-year hiatus, Rowland released her debut solo studio album, Simply Deep (2002), which debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart and sold over 3 million copies worldwide. It included the Billboard Hot 100 number-one single "Dilemma", as well as the UK top-five hits "Stole" and "Can't Nobody". Rowland also ventured into acting with starring roles in Freddy vs. Jason (2003) and The Seat Filler (2005).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solange Knowles</span> American singer (born 1986)

Solange Piaget Knowles is an American singer, songwriter and actress. Knowles expressed an interest in music from an early age and had temporary stints as a backup dancer for Destiny's Child, which featured her older sister Beyoncé Knowles among its members, before signing with her father Mathew Knowles' Music World Entertainment label. At 16, Knowles released her first studio album Solo Star (2002). She also appeared in the films Johnson Family Vacation (2004), and Bring It On: All or Nothing (2006).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Doe (musician)</span> American singer, songwriter, actor, poet, guitarist and bass player

John Nommensen Duchac, known professionally as John Doe, is an American singer, songwriter, actor, poet, guitarist and bass player. Doe co-founded LA punk band X, of which he is still an active member. His musical performances and compositions span rock, punk, country and folk music genres. As an actor, he has dozens of television appearances and several movies to his credit, including the role of Jeff Parker in the television series Roswell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michelle Williams (singer)</span> American singer and actress

Tenitra Michelle Williams is an American singer and actress. She rose to fame in the early 2000s as a member of R&B girl group Destiny's Child, one of the best-selling female groups of all time with over 100 million records, of which more than 60 million copies sold with the trio lineup that included Williams. During her time in the group she earned several accolades including a Grammy Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

<i>The Writings on the Wall</i> 1999 studio album by Destinys Child

The Writing's on the Wall is the second studio album by American girl group Destiny's Child. It was released on July 14, 1999, by Columbia Records. Dissatisfied with their 1998 eponymous debut studio album, Destiny's Child sought transition from the record's neo soul-influenced sound. Hence, the group took more creative control and enlisted an almost entirely different array of collaborators, including Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs, Kandi Burruss, Missy Elliott, Rodney Jerkins, and LaShawn Daniels, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Change Is Gonna Come</span> 1964 single by Sam Cooke

"A Change Is Gonna Come" is a song by American singer-songwriter Sam Cooke. It initially appeared on Cooke's album Ain't That Good News, released mid-February 1964 by RCA Victor; a slightly edited version of the recording was released as a single on December 22, 1964. Produced by Hugo & Luigi and arranged and conducted by René Hall, the song was the B-side to "Shake".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">'03 Bonnie & Clyde</span> 2002 song by American rapper Jay-Z

"'03 Bonnie & Clyde" is a song recorded by American rapper Jay-Z, released on October 10, 2002 as the lead single from his seventh studio album The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse (2002). Composed by Jay-Z, Kanye West, Prince, Tupac Shakur, Darryl Harper, Ricky Rouse and Tyrone Wrice, and featuring Jay-Z's then-girlfriend, now wife, American singer Beyoncé Knowles, "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" sampled its beat from Shakur's 1996 song "Me and My Girlfriend", paraphrasing its chorus, and was inspired by the crime film Bonnie and Clyde. The instrumentation is based on programmed drums, bass instruments, and a flamenco guitar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Beyoncé Experience</span> 2007 concert tour by Beyoncé Knowles

The Beyoncé Experience was the third concert tour by American singer-songwriter Beyoncé. It was staged in support of her second studio album, B'Day (2006). The Beyoncé Experience consisted of 96 shows in 2007 over five legs. Fan-club tickets and VIP packages were on sale in early April and tickets sold officially on April 20, 2007. The tour began that month and finished that November. Knowles collaborated with America's Second Harvest on a campaign for people who fought with famine, holding pre-concert food drives at every stop during the tour asking from fans to bring food.

Mathew Knowles is an American record executive, businessman and university lecturer. He is best known for being the manager of Destiny's Child. He also once managed the solo careers of his daughters Beyoncé and Solange Knowles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bama Boyz</span> American hip hop group

The Bama Boyz are a Grammy-nominated, Dove Award-winning, American record production, songwriting, and artist trio, consisting of Eddie "E-Trez" Smith III, Jesse J. Rankins, Jonathan D. Wells. Professionally producing and songwriting since 2003, the Bama Boyz have accumulated a diverse range of music credits, ranging from genres such as Electro, R&B, Pop, hiphop, urban gospel, dance, and Latin pop to soundtracks/theme music for films, television shows, commercials, toy lines, and books. They are now known as Watch The Duck.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Am... (Beyoncé tour)</span> 2009–2010 concert tour by Beyoncé

I Am... Tour was the fourth concert tour by American performer and singer-songwriter Beyoncé Knowles, in support of her third studio album, I Am... Sasha Fierce (2008), consisting of 110 concerts across six continents. Two months of preparations for the tour began eight months prior to its commencement, with daily twelve-hour rehearsals. The tour was announced in October 2008, and began in March 2009 with five preliminary ’rehearsal’ shows in North America. Knowles has described the I Am... World Tour as her best and most theatrical of all of her tours.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tina Knowles</span> American businesswoman and fashion designer

Celestine Ann "Tina" Beyoncé Knowles-Lawson is an American businesswoman, fashion designer, and philanthropist known for establishing the brands House of Deréon and Miss Tina by Tina Knowles. She is the mother of singers Beyoncé and Solange Knowles, and was married to their father Mathew Knowles until 2011, the manager of Destiny's Child. For her contribution to the fashion business, Knowles was honored at the Accessories Council Excellence Awards in 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Why Don't You Love Me (Beyoncé song)</span> 2010 song by Beyoncé

"Why Don't You Love Me" is a song recorded by American singer Beyoncé Knowles for the platinum edition of her third studio album, I Am... Sasha Fierce (2008). It was written by Knowles, Angela Beyincé, Solange Knowles and the Bama Boyz and produced by the Bama Boyz and Knowles. "Why Don't You Love Me" is an R&B song with disco influences that is set in a retro style. According to its lyrics, Knowles questions her love interest about why he does not value her fabulousness. Its 1960s-styled music video was directed by Melina Matsoukas and Knowles under the alias Bee-Z, and it stars the latter as "B.B. Homemaker". Knowles pays homage to Bettie Page in the video, which critics universally commended for its 1960's style sets and costumes. They also complimented Knowles for her acting skills.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Houston</span> Australian pastor and evangelist

Brian Charles Houston is a New Zealand-Australian former pastor and evangelist. He was the founder and senior pastor at Hillsong Church, based in Sydney with locations around the world. He was the national president of Australian Christian Churches, the Australian branch of the Assemblies of God, from 1997 to 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Countdown (Beyoncé song)</span> 2011 song by Beyoncé

"Countdown" is a song recorded by American singer Beyoncé Knowles for her fourth studio album, 4 (2011). The song was written by Knowles, Terius Nash, Shea Taylor, Ester Dean, Cainon Lamb, Julie Frost, Michael Bivins, Nathan Morris and Wanya Morris, and produced by Beyoncé, Taylor and Lamb. The song's conception was brought about by Knowles desiring to mix musical styles of the 1990s with the 1970s. It was sent to radio on October 4, 2011, as the fifth single from 4.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ian Shepherd</span> British mastering engineer (born 1971)

Ian Shepherd is a British mastering engineer, Blu-ray and DVD author. He runs the Production Advice website and is the founder of Dynamic Range Day, an annual event raising awareness of the Loudness War.

<i>A Seat at the Table</i> 2016 studio album by Solange

A Seat at the Table is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Solange. It was released on September 30, 2016, by Saint Records and Columbia Records. While recording the album, Solange released an EP, titled True (2012) and launched her own record label named Saint Records. Writing for the album began as early as 2008, while the recording sessions took place from 2013 to June 2016. Solange enlisted a variety of collaborators including rappers Lil Wayne and Q-Tip; singer-songwriters The-Dream, BJ the Chicago Kid, Kelly Rowland and Tweet; and musicians Sampha, Kelela and David Longstreth.

<i>Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé</i> 2019 concert film by Beyoncé

Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé is a 2019 documentary concert film about American singer Beyoncé and her performance at the 2018 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. She wrote, executive-produced, and directed the film. It was released on April 17, 2019 by Netflix, alongside an accompanying live album. The film is an "intimate, in-depth look" at the performance, revealing "the emotional road from creative concept to a cultural movement".

References

  1. "Column Offers Advice for Ethical Quandaries". NPR.org. April 15, 2008.
  2. "Beyoncé's Pastor, Rudy Rasmus defends her image from Christian critics". theGrio. June 2, 2014.