Rebecca St. James

Biography
At 21-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 brother Daniel. "I think one of the main differences on this album is that weve 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, Youre Beautiful". "I have loved both of these songs for years. I truly identify with Richs words, 'Hold me Jesus, 'cause Im 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, Youre Beautiful' is a song Ive known since childhood. Its 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, "Youre 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. "Im 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. Rebeccas love for and reliance on family ties is not lost in her message to audiences. "One of the specific things Ive felt strongly about lately is to talk about the fact that our families are in crisis," says Rebecca. "Weve 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 wont 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 Im 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 Gods 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! ThatÃ¢Ââ„¢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."

How "God" Came About (40 Days With God)~Rebecca Talks
Often when I get out and take a walk, I notice many things around me, like a little flower. I might say, "Wow, that's God!" So many things happen in my life like that. Sometimes in my devotional times with God, I'll read something and it will just jump off the page at me, because it's exactly God speaking to me at that time. There's absolutely no other way to explain it-it's just Him! We are so small, and God is so huge! The fact that He thinks of us is just incredible! It just blows me away that He loves us so much.

~Lyrics From "God"~
He made the night, he made the day; Spread the earth upon the waters, Made the heavens and the rain. Look at the sky, see its design; The very same Creator is the one who gave us life. And what is man that He's mindful of us? We're merely clay in His hands. And what am I that He loves me so much He would die? You know all i can say is... It's God, truly God, can you see, can you hear, can you touch can you feel? It is God, truly God, I can't explain any other way 'cause it's God! Inside us all there is a void; all mankind is searching for the one who fills teh soul. In Him there's hope, in Him there's life. The world cries for a Saviour that's right before their eyes. And what is man that He takes us in as His children to be His own? And what are we that He wants to be our Father? All that I can say is... It's God, truly God, can you see, can you hear, can you touch, can you feel? It's God, truly God, I can't explain any other way cause it's God!

~God Talks
"O lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set glory above the heavens. From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, The moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of Him, the son of man that you care for him? Psalm 8:1-4, NIV ~More Time With God~ Genesis 1:26, 31. Psalm 19:1-6. Psalm 29. Psalm 77:13-20. Psalm 90:2.

Gettin' Serious, The Official Newsletter of Rebecca St. James.
Dear Friends,G'Day! I hope that all is well with you and that you are growing closer to our Lord each day, finding your hope and strength in Him! Thanks so much for your prayers and support of our ministry-it means a lot to me and the rest of the team.So much is going on in our world today! I'm excited to be alive at this particular time in history. God is doing such good things. It seems to me that there is such a renewed passion in people's hearts for worship, especially in the lives of young people. Teens are excited about taking a stand for God and going on mission trips. At the same time, devastating things are happening in our world as well. With traumatic events like Kosovo and Littleton, It is obvious we are living in a world desperately in need of hope. At a prayer rally recently, I prayed that God would somehow bring good out of the Littleton, Colorado tragedy. I prayed that He would draw people to Himself, to see that our only hope is in Him. God is moving, not only have hundreds of kids from Columbine High School come to know Jesus, but thousands of students have been inspired by the life and death of Cassie. Cassie, who was shot dead by a gunman at the school after professing her faith in God, has become a modern day martyr. Because of her stand, my youth group recently discussed what they would have done had they been in her place. What would you have done? Are you and I willing to put our lives on the line because of our love for Him? I think we all need to come to a place where we say, "In God's strength I could, would, and will stand for Him every day--no matter the cost!" Recently, in a radio interview, I was asked about a t-shirt we have on the road that says, "No Secrets," on it. I shared that in our family we have a policy of "No Secrets". We try to keep everything out in the open and be honest with each other. As a young person, this has helped me so much. I have always known there is nothing that I can't share with my family. I also believe that if the two young guys in Colorado had been able to express some of the bitterness and resentment they were feeling and, with God's help, work through it, maybe there wouldn't be so many dead in Littleton today. We all need to shoulder our burdens with others-we can't carry them alone. What better place to have that honesty and friendship than in the family. If you're a young person, express to your parents that you want and need that kind of openess. If you're a parent, consider establishing that kind of honesty in your family. As families, we've got to pull together, pray together, and stay together! Lastly, God has been very strongly leading me to work with a ministry called 'Children's Relief Network' in Romania. I learned a while back in the Bible study Experiencing God, that God often confirms His will through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, the church and His peace. God has confirmed this ministry in all those ways. After the end of the Pray Tour, myself and one of my best friends, Dana, will be going to work at a Romanian orphanage for two months--so needless to say, I'm rapidly trying to learn Romanian! Dana and I will be cooking, cleaning, teaching, providing clothes and food for the street kids, and anything else we can do to help. In Romania, kids as young as two and three years old live in sewers under the ground just to stay alive in the winter. Many of them are addicted to glue-sniffing to try to escape their pain and some are forced into prostitution just to eat. The need is so huge and the 'Children's Relief Network' is sharing Jesus' hope and changing the cycle one child at a time. They are very soon building a 'Village of Hope' to take in many more children. I encourage you to support this ministry that I am partnering with. Even a little will make a difference. Please pray for the ministry and send donations directly to: Children's Relief Network, 4113 Scotts Valley Dr. Suite 104, Scotts Valley, CA. 95066. If you sense God calling you into missions and you could possibly make a two year commitment, please write or call (831) 430-9070. Please keep us in your prayers as I know this would be a life-changing experience. Thanks again for your love, support and prayers. Til next time....chow! (Romanian for bye!) Keep seeking Him. Love in Christ, Rebecca St. James

Omega (From The Album "Pray")
The amazing grace of the Master Jesus Christ, The extravagant love of God, The intamate friendship of the Holy Spirit, Be with you May the grace of our Lord be with you, now and always may yuo stay, blameless till he comes, May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, Encourage and strengthen you, In every good thing you do and say, God loves us, And through His grace, He gave us shining hope, And encouragement, That continues now and forever. May the grace of our Lord be with you, Now and always may you stay, blameless till He comes, May the love of our Lord be with you, now and always may you stay blameless till He comes, Love mixed with faith be yours,from God the Father, And from the Master, Jesus Christ, And now unto Him, Who is able to keep you from falling, And present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy to the only wise God, our Savior, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and Power,both now and forever amen...