Thought Quotient

Currently on a mission in Rwanda in her role as a global spokeswoman for Compassion International, REBECCA ST. JAMES will return to the U.S. from Africa in late January–literally in time to re-pack her suitcases for the launch of her ambitious If I Had One Chance To Tell You Something Tour which begins a forty-plus concert schedule on February 2nd.

The tour, which celebrates the release of St. James’ critically acclaimed latest CD of the same title, might have the sub-title “chicks that rock!” The Australian born Grammy and Dove Award winner has chosen BarlowGirl to share the stage with her on the tour which is set to run from February through early April.

BarlowGirl’s dramatic impact in Christian music over the past several years has brought them multiple Dove Award nominations, #1 singles for the Fervent label, and like Rebecca, a strong voice as role models for their audience. Barlow sisters Becca, Alyssa, and Lauren have again connected powerfully with their audience by way of their latest album release “Another Journal Entry,” which showcases their affinity to rock for God. The tour will also introduce audiences to BEC recording artist Jadon Lavik whose recent Top 5 single “What If” and current single “Changing Happy” have given him wide exposure with Christian radio. His sophomore album, “Life On The Inside” is scheduled to be released on March 7th.

The tour will focus on that same energy built around Rebecc’a passion for the message of her new music. The “something” eluded to in the title is a theme that resounds throughout the presentation for CD buyers and tour goers alike. The message: You are extravagantly loved by God.

Set to music with raw urgency, the ‘you are loved’ message emerged strongly during the creative stages of Rebecca’s writing process–inspiration for which she credits in great part to a deep time with God she experienced while on a study mission at L’Abri in Switzerland last year. She noted in a recent interview: “I thought I was caught up in writing this theme for a friend who had strayed from God, but in truth, ‘you are loved’ is a profound message for me and I hope for every person listening. It’s a message I’ll bring to the stage every night on the tour–whether our audience is the church, unsaved street kids, or anyone in need of a God of ’second chances’–and that includes all of us.”

According to St. James the ‘heart’ of the event will also give concert goers the most personal and transparent moments of sharing she’s ever done on tour. “Themes from trust and transformation, to the renewed passion I have for the work of Compassion International are major issues I’ll address from the stage,” she notes. Her personal insight and experiences as well as visuals from her current mission to Rwanda are also expected to be highlights, as will a time of worship where Rebecca will be joined onstage by BarlowGirl. The group makes a guest appearance on the If I Had One Chance To Tell You Something CD–lending their talents to a stunningly moving track titled Forgive Me–which they will perform with Rebecca live on the tour.

Rebecca closed out 2005 as one of her busiest years to date as an artist, best selling author (two major books were released by her last year–SHE TEEN for Tyndale House and Sister Freaks for Warner Faith Books) spokesperson and speaker. Release of her much anticipated new CD and announcement of the supporting tour heralds Rebecca St. James’ continuing commitment to her primary role as one of Christian music’s most relevant and authentic voices. Her passion for reaching young people has taken her around the globe with a consistent and uncomproming ministry message that has sold millions of records and has made her an international favorite with foreign audiences. In addition to her current mission to Africa, her upcoming international agenda includes an April concert scheduling in Australia-New Zealand, as well as a multiple nation tour of Europe set to launch following her spring U.S. tour. In April Rebecca will co-host the annual GMA Awards from Nashville with Kirk Franklin. She has also committed to record this year’s official theme song for May’s ‘National Day Of Prayer.’

Tags: News and Media, Reviews, Theology

This entry was posted by shannon on Wednesday, January 18th, 2006 at 10:07 pm and is filed under News and Media, Reviews, Theology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.