Gushing about Beyoncé has become the currency of the Internet. Queen Bey inspires passion from fans and observers that is downright religious in fervor—which, perhaps, makes the fact that she’s taken to feeding and housing the poor of Houston something to be expected.
Nonetheless, that was one of the takeaways from an interview with pastor Rudy Rasmus of St. John’s Downtown in Houston, who was on KHOU to promote his new book, Love Period. When All Else Fails. The pastor, who’s claimed Beyoncé as a member of his church since she was a child (“she had long braids, tennis shoes and jeans on. A far cry from what she is today,” he told the station), and who performed her marriage ceremony to Jay-Z, also talked a bit about her philanthropic efforts within his community:
St. Johns Downtown has benefited from Beyoncé’s $7 million gift to the establishment. Despite her superstar status, the pastor explained the Grammy award-winning artist still has a heart of gold.
“She has a global platform and is doing some amazing work and I’m glad she’s a friend of mine,” Rasmus said. “[…] She’s an incredible human being. Has an incredible heart and has been extremely helpful in our mission and our ministry here.”
Rasmus said Beyoncé has kept the ministry near and dear to her heart because she grew up at that very church and entertained the congregation with her musical talents.
Seven million dollars is a substantial donation to a church in one’s home community, and it answers some questions that have come up about Beyoncé’s and Jay-Z’s charitable contributions. Beyoncé is a global superstar, of course, and it’s nice to know that when she’s opening her purse, she keeps an eye on her hometown.
(Photo by Eric Gay | AP Images)
