While other 12-year-old girls wavered between playing with dolls and wearing makeup, the thoughts of Aussie-born Rebecca St. James focused instead on using her abilities for God.
“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.’”
St. James, who now is in her 30s and lives in Los Angeles, grew up attending Thornleigh Community Baptist Church, Australia. Because her father was a Christian concert promoter, she became familiar with the Christian music industry at an early age.
Just a few years after asking God to use her talents, she captured great attention in the contemporary Christian music industry.
“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.
She also became recognized as one of the most influential young women of her generation.
Through her ministry, St. James has used her influence to try to shape teenagers’ attitudes about sexual purity and Christian commitment. She has done this by speaking at a variety of events, writing books and appearing in film projects.
Her leading role in the pro-life movie “Sarah’s Choice” prompted St. James to support the work of crisis pregnancy centers. In fact, she appeared at a pro-life event in Jasper on March 31. In addition, St. James has hosted “SHE” events to challenge girls and women to live godly lives.
During 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’ newest album, “I Will Praise You,” was released April 5. Also in April, St. James will wed Jacob Fink, who proposed to her on Christmas Day 2010.
For St. James, the songs on this album express various aspects in the life of a believer, such as praise, surrender and hope.
“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.”
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