LOS ANGELES, Calif.—At age 12, when most young girls are dreaming about what they would like to be when they grow up, Rebecca St. James already was asking God to use her talents and gifts for his glory.
“I had given my heart to God when I was 8 years old and grew up in a wonderful Christian family,” St. James said. “When I was 12, I remember a specific prayer where I said: ‘God, I want to give you my gifts and talent. They are not mine, but yours. I hope you can use my life to make a difference and change the world.”
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St. James grew up attending Thornleigh Community Baptist Church in Australia. Because her father was a Christian concert promoter, she became familiar with the Christian music industry at an early age.
As a teenager, St. James broke new ground in the contemporary Christian music industry as she paved the way for many other female artists to come.
“Music has always been a natural part of my life,” she said. “I moved to America with my family when I was 14, and I sang at different youth groups and churches. Some guys from a record label saw me sing when I was 15 and signed me to that label soon after that. So, it was one of those things that God definitely led me to do.”
Along the way, she has garnered multiple honors including a Grammy Award and Dove Awards from the Gospel Music Association.
Throughout her ministry, St. James has used her influence to shape teenagers’ attitudes about sexual purity and Christian commitment by speaking at a variety of events, writing books and appearing in film projects.
Recently, her leading role in the pro-life movie, Sarah’s Choice, prompted St. James to support the work of crisis pregnancy centers. In addition, St. James has continued to connect with teenage girls and their mothers by hosting events that meld music and ministry into an evening of encouragement and practical advice on living godly lives.
Over the past few years, St. James has taken time to reflect and renew her commitment to music and ministry while staying busy with a variety of projects.
St. James’ most recent album, I Will Praise You, marked her first full-length album in five years. Shortly after the album’s release, St. James married Jacob Fink, who proposed on Christmas Day.
For St. James, the songs on this album reflect personal seasons and themes of renewal, acceptance, surrender, hope, redemption, praise and the utter dependence on the vast and unfathomable love of God.
“When I think of my life today, I have a new appreciation of ministry, music and the new season of opportunities God has for me,” St. James said. “I realize the very threads that run through this album are all very poignant and personal to me through the journey of the last five years of my life.
“In this season of new music, God has been reminding me: ‘This is about Jesus. This is about praising him and inviting other people into that journey with you.’
“My mission statement and focus is, ‘Get out of the way, Rebecca, and just let people see Jesus.’ It’s all about his glory.”