Rebecca St. James: I Will Praise You
NEW WORSHIP ALBLUM
In April, Rebecca released her first studio album in five years, I Will Praise You, a new collection of worship songs. She is coming to listeners with a personal renewal of her music in this season of her life that’s in focus through a new lens.
“When I think of my life today I think of newness, peace, purposefulness and joy. I have a new appreciation of ministry, music, and the new season of opportunities God has for me,” Rebecca notes.
In 2008 Rebecca moved to Los Angeles to pursue her interest in acting. Her move led many to wonder what Rebecca’s creative future might hold. She starred in her first leading role in the film Sarah’s Choice, a movie with a strong pro-life message released by Pure Flix Entertainment.
This opportunity also led to Rebecca’s immergence over the past two years as an outspoken national voice for the work of crisis pregnancy. “The move to LA simplified my life somewhat as I took time for an intentional re-focus. I could rollerblade and bike, I could walk down to the corner café and just sip coffee and do e-mails. I could hang-out with friends and buy fresh flowers from the farmer’s market. It was a beautiful season that turned into a time of unveiling a new spiritual level,” shares Rebecca.
During this time she felt God saying to her, ‘Rebecca, do you want to continue with your music, being involved in ministry, doing concerts, writing books—or do you want a more anonymous life in which to serve Me?’ As she prayed Rebecca always came back to one place: “I am a woman of purpose…I want to make a difference. I want to be singing songs about Him and leading people to Him.”
I Will Praise You is Rebecca’s “most personal recording to date.” The album was produced by Mark A. Miller (Casting Crowns). “The overall theme of this album is about trust and surrender and just focusing on God,” reveals Rebecca. She believes the purpose of worship is to set our eyes on Him and glorify Him. “God loves our delight of Him...it is like two people that are in love expressing their love for each other. I think is it must delight God’s heart for us to worship Him… and that is what I really pray people do with this album.”
Rebecca co-wrote five of the ten songs on the new project. She is joined creatively by modern worship counterparts such as Mia Fieldes (Hillsong), Jason Ingram, Fred Williams, Joel Smallbone, and Michael Neale, among others. “Listening to the songs now that the album is completed and thinking on the meaning of some of the lyrics—themes like joy in the midst of pain, God redeeming challenging seasons in our lives, surrendering all to Him, opening our hands, how He’s making all things beautiful in His time, I realize the very threads that run through I Will Praise You are all very poignant and personal to me through the journey of the last five years of my life,” says Rebecca.
WEDDING PLANS
In April, Rebecca, age 33, is getting married to Jacob Fink. The Christmas Day proposal came at Rebecca’s family farm in Franklin, Tenn. where she was presented the ring. Jacob asked her parents, David and Helen, for their blessing prior to surprising Rebecca with the engagement ring and his request for her hand in marriage. Jacob lives in Southern California. He spent two years as a missionary in South Africa before attending college. He worked in television production prior to his current career in music. The couple met through mutual friends in Los Angeles. “We are truly amazed at finding our dreams and ideals met in the love we’ve found. We are exceedingly grateful for this precious gift from God,” shares Rebecca.
MUSICAL CAREER
Rebecca was born in Sydney, Australia, and is the oldest of seven children, five boys and two girls. She was the lead vocalist at the Christian school she used to attend. At the age of 12, Rebecca prayed a simple prayer,” God, I give you mygifts. Use my life to make a difference and change the world.” When she was thirteen years old Carmen, the nationally recognized singer and performer, invited her to open shows during his Australian tour. During this time she recorded her first album, Refresh My Heart.
Rebecca moved to America when she was about 14 years old because her father was offered a job in the States. About two months after the family moved to America, her dad’s job fell through. Her family asked God to provide for their needs, everything from money and food to a car. Rebecca says, “Miracles happened daily.” By the time she was signed to a record label at sixteen she had a strong testimony. As a teen in the mid-90’s, she blazed a trail in the contemporary Christian genre for many other talented female artists to come.
Rebecca has received countless industry awards, including the GRAMMY® and topped both radio and sales charts, with career album sales in the millions of album units. She has authored eight books – her ninth due out this fall and helped find sponsorship for more than 30,000 of the world’s neediest children as a spokesperson for the child advocacy organization, Compassion International.
