After more than 30 years of service, Dr. Rudy Rasmus and Pastor Juanita Rasmus announced their transition from Senior Pastors of St. John’s Downtown Church. Dr. Rudy will join Bread of Life, Inc. as Executive Director.

“This is not a retirement, but rather a ‘rewirement,’” said Dr. Rasmus. “While my chapter at St. John’s ends, I will not stop serving this community. I’m excited for how the Lord will use me in a new full-time role at Bread of Life to continue my calling to help those in our great city and beyond.”

Bread of Life, Inc. is a non-profit organization with a mission to tackle barriers together with compassion to restore hope for Houston. It was founded by Dr. Rasmus and wife and Co-Senior Pastor Juanita in 1992 with a simple mission to serve hot nutritious meals to homeless men and women in the downtown Houston area. Nearly 30 years later, Bread of Life, Inc. is still focused on supporting underserved communities and restoring hope in Houston through four program areas: homeless outreach, health outcomes, hunger relief and the community radio station KMAZ The Amazing 102.5 FM.

In 2022, Bread of Life, Inc.:

• Donated $3.5 million to Houston families in need,

• Provided 44,376 individuals with food and supply boxes,

• Acquired $30.1 million worth of donated products and supplies to give to Houston communities,

• Engaged 1,827 individuals by community health workers,

• Distributed $66,000 worth of fresh food to in-bound seniors, and

• Graduated 47 students from the Bread of Life Academy.

“We won’t stop until every man, woman and child has consistent food resources, shelter is accessible to those that have no other place to go, and medicine is in the arm’s reach of those that need it most,” said Dr. Rasmus.

The Rasmuses have been prominent figures in the Houston community, using their platform to advocate for social justice and equality. They arrived at St. John’s in 1992 when it had only nine members. Under their leadership, the church grew to a congregation of thousands and has become a beacon of hope for those in need. They are often referred to as Beyonce’s pastors because of the Knowles family’s involvement in the church.

Following her retirement as Co-Senior Pastor of St. John’s, Juanita will concentrate on a national public speaking tour and her books, including her most recent “Learning to Be: Finding Your Center After the Bottom Falls Out.”

St. John’s “We Serve Theatre” will host a celebration for Dr. Rasmus and Pastor Juanita with a night of jazz on Friday, May 26. The concert, hosted by Amanda Sapp of “The Amanda Sapp Morning Show” on The Amazing 102.5FM, will feature live performances by Jazz Saxophonist Marion Meadows, Comedian Marcus D. Wiley and Jazz Pianist Alex Bugnon. All proceeds from the ticketed event will benefit the Juanita and Rudy Rasmus Scholarship Fund, which assists young people aging out of foster care, previously homeless individuals, and second-chance students in taking the next step in life through learning through the Bread of Life Academy. Tickets are available on EventBrite.

Dr. Rasmus and Pastor Juanita’s last Sunday at St. John’s is May 28.

For more information about Dr. Rudy Rasmus and Pastor Juanita Rasmus, visit rudyrasmus.com and juanitarasmus.com. Bread of Life, Inc., information is available at breadoflifeinc.org.