Beyoncé is known to millions around the world as a style and music icon, but to her pastor Rudy Rasmus, what he loves most about her is her "incredible heart".
She may be a global mega star today, but he remembers a time when she was singing on the platform at the front of his church - St John's United Methodist Church Houston - with braided hair and tennis shoes.
She may not be able to get to the church so often in person, but she remains an important part of the ministry, says Pastor Rudy.
An example of this is a $7m apartment complex she funded to house 42 men and women who were formerly without a home.
She's also supported the Houston Food Bank drive alongside Pastor Rudy and supports the Miss A Meal initiative of his Bread of Life non-profit, which invites people to simply skip a meal and donate the money they would have spent to feed someone else.
Joining her in support of the initiative are her fashion designer mother Tina Knowles and fellow Destiny's Child bandmates Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams.
"She has a global platform and is doing some amazing work and I'm glad she's a friend of mine," Pastor Rudy told the Houston-based KHOU news.
"She is an incredible human being, has an incredible heart and has been extremely helpful in our mission and our ministry here."
Beyoncé has been in the tabloids a lot recently with rumors of marriage strife with husband Jay-Z and a video leak apparently showing her sister, Solange, in a violent altercation with him in an elevator.
But Pastor Rudy has little to say on it: "I validate my information with a conversation with the individual."
He was speaking to the channel in connection with his new book, "Love Period. When All Else Fails", which is about the unconditional nature of Christian love.
"When we decide to love period, we're saying there's nothing to follow the period. We're gonna love you for who you are, where you are, without conditions," he said.
