Touch: The Power of Touch in Transforming Lives

By Robin Caldwell

Author: Rudy Rasmus with Christian Washington and Pat Springle

“…I grew in my boldness to fight for the right of each person to sit in the pew, to feel the love of God and God’s people, to be touched by God, and to experience a taste of the kingdom of God …” (Excerpt, Touch by Rudy Rasmus)

In the foreword of Touch: The Power of Touch in Transforming Lives (Baxter Press/Spirit Rising), Reverend Kirbyjohn Caldwell (no relation) calls Rudy Rasmus, the author, a remarkable man. That’s no small claim coming from a man who counts a U. S. president as a close friend, and who has also empowered many to live godly and prosperous lives. I love Rev. Caldwell and his ministry (Windsor Village), so I thought; Rudy Rasmus truly must be remarkable, if he said so.

One thing I knew before reading Touch’s foreword was that Pastor Rasmus, a self-described urban messenger, was an eccentric man, a Christian after my own eccentric and peculiar heart. I loved the braids donning his goatee. I loved the fact, also, that his parishioners—the rich and famous, the poor and infamous— have invested heavily in his mission at St. John’s in Houston, Texas, which speaks volumes about the mission and the missionary – Pastor Rasmus.

Like the black men I’ve come to love and admire in my life, Pastor Rasmus strikes me as one cool cat – a deep brother that is multilingual and understands the language of the streets, the language of corporate America, and any other language in between, especially the language of love. This is a guy who quotes the Bible, jazz and R&B singers, and critical thinkers like Malcolm Gladwell. God has dealt kindly with Pastor Rasmus and poured a multitude of gifts into him, which is evident in the sincere, straight-shooting, and intellectual tone of Touch. Yet, the tone only complements the giftedness of Touch; its ability to preach to the choir and to those listening off on the sidelines. Touch, like Rudy Rasmus, is incredibly approachable, easy to read, and understand.