At 22-years-of-age, one of the qualities that makes Rebecca St. James unique is the perspective she brings to her ministry. Rebecca speaks to her own generation. With a wisdom beyond her years and a keen sense of understanding of the issues that young adults face today, Rebecca St. James is committed to encouraging and challenging her generation to live a life focused on God.
Living the gospel hands-on is the heart of Rebecca St. James. Her message is bold. Her message is simple. "Live radically for God. Read the Bible. Pray. Stand up for what you believe in and make a difference in your world." These words have clearly become infectious for thousands of teens and young adults, as evidenced through numerous sell-out concert dates throughout the country and the world.
Beginning on August 21, Rebecca St. James launched a new nation-wide tour in support of her recording, PRAY. "The title is based on 2 Chronicles 7:14," says Rebecca. "It reads, 'If my people, who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray...then I will heal their land.'
Many of the songs on PRAY were written by Rebecca and producer Tedd T. Other writers include Michael Quinland and Rebecca’s brother Daniel. "I think one of the main differences on this album is that we’ve experimented with some European programmed sounds and drum loops mixed in with the live sounds as well," comments Rebecca.
"The first single from the record, "Mirror", has recently released to radio. "Mirror is very much a prayer," she says. "The verses sum up my desire to please God with my thoughts and heart. The chorus is a cry to God to help me to be able to do so!"
The album also features a cover of Rich Mullins’ "Hold Me Jesus" and Keith Green's "Lord, You’re Beautiful". "I have loved both of these songs for years. I truly identify with Rich’s words, 'Hold me Jesus, 'cause I’m shaking like a leaf...' I remember once listening to that song four or five times in a row. I know what it is to be 'held'. 'Lord, You’re Beautiful' is a song I’ve known since childhood. It’s a fabulous worship song."
Born in Sydney, Australia, Rebecca got her first taste of Christian music early on from her Dad, who was a Christian concert promoter. She performed by invitation with Carman on his Australian tour when she was only 13. After her family moved to the U.S., she began recording at age 16 for ForeFront Records. That first effort, a self-titled, energetic Christian pop release earned her the distinction of being the youngest artist ever to be Dove Award-nominated as New Artist of the Year.
Her second album, simply titled, "GOD", thrust Rebecca full-force to the top of Christian alternative/pop, earned her a Grammy Award nomination, a Dove Award nomination for Female Vocalist of the Year and a string of radio hits. Readers of Campus Life, Lighthouse and CCM magazine named her Favorite Female Recording Artist in their respective polls. Last year, Rebecca released "Christmas", and her second best-sell-ing devotional book, "You’re The Voice - 40 More Days With God", a follow-up to the successful "40 Days With God" devotional book. While her music is filled with a passionate message about life with God, it also reveals a talented and creative musical force on the rise.
As hectic as the pace can sometimes be, Rebecca is not alone in her efforts. She always refers to the ministry effort in the plural. "We" is a term heard far more than "I" in her vocabulary, and for a good reason.
"I’m part of such a big team of people," Rebecca explains. "And none of us could do without the other, and so I just see myself as one of the pieces of the puzzle." The team she refers to includes her entire family. From the very beginning Rebecca St. James’ ministry has been a family affair and now from top to bottom, her parents and six siblings all play a role.
Rebecca’s love for and reliance on family ties is not lost in her message to audiences. "One of the specific things I’ve felt strongly about lately is to talk about the fact that our families are in crisis," says Rebecca. "We’ve all got to work on our family relationships, especially parents to teens and teens to parents. I believe that if young people really work at finding love and acceptance in the home and in their relationship with God, then they won’t be looking elsewhere."
Another strong stance and ongoing admonition Rebecca gives from stage deals with her own commitment to remain a virgin until marriage. "A lot of teens come up to me and say, 'Thank you for talking about not having sex before marriage, because I feel like I’m the only one out there,'" she relates.
"Another thing I talk about is if they have already made a mistake they can become recycled virgins through God’s grace. People have told me that message really gave them hope."
She excitedly relates a story from a youth pastor she met at a concert. "He told me that four of his students came to the concert and gave their lives to God. Then they went home and six of their friends came to God as well! That’s really what this ministry is all about," she concludes.
"When Christians go away from a Rebecca St. James concert, our prayer is that they will go to their friends and take up the challenge to be bold, share their faith and start a chain reaction of people coming to Christ. I truly hope that through this new album and tour, people will be encouraged to pray - to worship God and to ever focus their eyes on Him."
