Episode 114: Lasting Ever: Faith, Music, Family, and Being Found by True Love with Rebecca St. James

Unexpected with Hannah Love

Among the most defining artists in Christian music history, GRAMMY®-winning singer/songwriter, best-selling author, speaker and actress Rebecca St. James catapulted into the global spotlight following the release of her self-titled Forefront Records debut in 1994. The Australian native’s modern pop sensibilities and uncompromising lyrics set a benchmark in Christian music, leading a new generation of artistry in the genre. St. James has earned multiple Dove Awards, nine #1 Christian radio singles and two GOLD®-certified recordings, and her discography includes such iconic albums as Pray, God and Transform. Author of the best-selling titles Wait For Me (Thomas Nelson) and Pure (Hachette/Faithwords), among others, she starred in the 2009 film Sarah’s Choice; portrayed Mary Magdalene in the groundbreaking rock opera !Hero; and voiced ‘Hope, The Angel’ in VeggieTales’ best-selling The Easter Carol, in addition to other diverse roles.Following a hiatus from recording and touring—during which time she married and started a family—St. James returned to the stage in 2018 to perform with her brothers, multi-GRAMMY® and Dove Award winning duo for KING & COUNTRY. In 2022, she released Kingdom Come, her first full-length studio album in 11 years, featuring collaborations with Bethel Music’s Brandon Lake and Josh Baldwin, artist Kalley Heiligenthal, and her brothers from for KING & COUNTRY. The album’s lead single “Kingdom Come” peaked at #8 on Billboard’s Christian Digital Song Sales chart.Most recently, St. James’ family story is being brought to the big screen in the upcoming 2024 film “Unsung Hero,” distributed by Lionsgate. The faith-based feature tells the story of the Smallbone family’s journey from Australia to America and particularly highlights Helen Smallbone, the family matriarch whose faith helped guide her family of nine through various struggles. The film, produced in conjunction with Kingdom Story Company and Candace Cameron Bure’s Candy Rock Entertainment, is set to release on April 26, 2024. Adding to her literary accomplishments, St. James and her husband Cubbie Fink are co-authoring a new book titled “Lasting Ever,” which aims to share insights and wisdom about building a strong, lasting marriage.