Grammy Winner Rebecca St.James “True Love Waits” By DAVE GEISLER

    On February 23, 2000, Rebecca St. James won her first Grammy Award, for Best Rock Gospel Album. A native of Australia, she is also the youngest performer ever to be nominated for the prestigious Dove Award for New Artist of the Year. Rebecca wows audiences with her pure voice and pure soul. 

    Hard work paid off for Rebecca as she scooped up her Grammy for “Pray” at the 42nd annual Grammy Awards. In her acceptance speech at The Staples Center in Los Angeles, she said, “First, I want to thank God. He is my best friend, the reason I live, my inspiration and the reason I do what I do.”

    It’s no wonder Rebecca’s albums are so popular. Her music videos, “No Secrets” and “You’re the Voice,” show she’s as talented as any female rocker in the world. However, what really separates Rebecca from other rockers are her views on God, love and life.

    Purity is a very important virtue to this 23-year-old singer. Rebecca is a virgin and she says she’ll remain one until she gets married. On her right ring finger, she wears a gold band. During a concert in Colorado Springs, she told her audience: “I’d like to tell you about this ring I’m wearing. It is a promise ring, and when my parents gave it to me, they said it was to symbolize my commitment to wait until marriage to have sex. I can tell you right now, I will be waiting for that special person God has planned for me.”

    As a national spokeswoman for the True Love Waits campaign since age 16, Rebecca has spoken to hundreds of thousands of teens about the benefits of saving sex for marriage. Her views of love are deeply grounded. Unlike Hollywood, where love is often portrayed as a “spell” you fall under, or an urge that makes you “love-crazy” to jump into bed, Rebecca speaks of love as patient, kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, never selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way.

    What does Rebecca think of “safe sex” campaigns? Not much. She has more confidence in kids, and she says, “I don’t buy the argument that teenagers can’t control themselves or that they need to be taught to use birth control devices to protect  themselves. Teenagers can handle the pressure. I have seen thousands of teenagers sign commitment cards pledging themselves to wait until marriage.”

    Thousands of young women write Rebecca to thank her for taking a stand. Some letters come from women who’ve fallen for sex outside of marriage. One woman wrote, “I’ve had troubles my whole adult life as a result of the bad choice to have  remarital sex, which led to an abortion, a bad marriage and divorce.”

    Rebecca’s fans love her music and her encouraging words about life and its purpose. “Your teenage years are a gift,” she points out. “Use them wisely. You can make a difference in this world by giving your life to serving and helping others who are less fortunate. Your teenage years are a great time to be active. . . You can be a voice of hope in this world. If you are willing to take a stand for what is right, God can use you.”