Cool Conversations/Interviews
Interview
Rebecca St. James
October 3, 2000

Jonathan (dressed for the occasion) sits down with Rebecca St. James.
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Youth for Christ Ministries in Sacramento partnered with local churches on
an event bringing out Rebecca St. James and Switchfoot. Jonathan got a chance to
hang out with Rebecca and the band members before and after the concert.
Jonathan gives us a peek into Rebecca's personal life, her ministry and her
interests.
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JONATHAN: Rebecca- great concert! Thanks for taking
the time to talk to us.
REBECCA: (In a thick Australian accent) Thank you for bringing us out.
JONATHAN: First of all, how old are you?
REBECCA: I'm 23. I just had my birthday July 26th.
JONATHAN: Cool. And how long have you been doing this.
REBECCA: Ah ... since I was about ... probably 16 or so.
JONATHAN: And since this is a written interview I'm bummed
that my readers can't hear your accent ...
REBECCA: (laughing) Yeah.
JONATHAN: ... now obviously, by the accent, you're from
where?
REBECCA: Sidney Australia
JONATHAN: Sidney Australia. And did you grow up there.
REBECCA: Yes, I lived there
for about 12 years and then lived in Brisbane for about a year and a half or so
before moving to America when I was about 14.
JONATHAN: Okay- and where do you live now?
REBECCA: Nashville Tennessee.
JONATHAN: Okay- great. Now tonight the most exciting
news is that you gave an invitation, 74 people came forward, 12 people made
first-time decisions for Christ, others rededicated their lives ... is that
something you do a lot with your concerts?
REBECCA: Yes, pretty
much whenever we do a full concert we have an alter call and see people respond
and it's always just incredible- it's always just an amazing "God thing" to see
people respond because it's not something that I think I can orchestrate. I
mean- I can't force a changed life. Only God can do that. So when we hear back
stories through e mail or letters of people who have committed their hearts to
God and now are in missions work or -you know- that kind of thing- it's just
unbelievable- it's just a beautiful thing.
JONATHAN: That's great.
What is the most fulfilling thing in your ministry? What makes you say, "It
don't get better than this!"
REBECCA: Hmmm. I think when I'm
leading people in worship- that's a big part of it. Like we end our concerts
with "Oh Come Let Us Adore Him." And every night when I hear the audience
singing that song it's just like, "Wow ! ...
JONATHAN: Cool!
REBECCA: ... Cool! You know I just feel very fulfilled
in that. And then when I'm helping people, like serving or doing something for
somebody else and just knowing the joy that it's going to bring them. I feel
like one of my spiritual gifts is helping and serving and I just enjoy that a
lot.
JONATHAN: It was cool watching you interact with your band
and the different people you travel with and ... you travel with your Dad.
(looking both ways) He's not in the room ... so how does that work?
REBECCA: (laughing) Very well most the time. I mean I
wouldn't want anyone else to be my manager. Just because there's that
understanding there and he cares for me more than any manager could- you know-
because he loves me as his daughter ...
JONATHAN: Looking out for his baby ...
REBECCA: Yes- in all kinds of different ways.
And I appreciate that so much. I mean every now and then you know we kind of see
things differently or what- but I think we've learned to be up front about those
things and so if he's hurt me in any way or if we disagree on something we'll
talk about it.
JONATHAN: Cool
REBECCA: So that's great too. We have a real good honest relationship.
JONATHAN: That's great.
REBECCA: That's really important.
JONATHAN: Now my readers are mostly youth workers. Many
of us have seen you a multiple of times. When you think about all the concerts
you've done ... what do you think is the most pathetic, worst concert you've
done? Either bad circumstances on stage ... or more people on stage than in
the audience ... whatever
REBECCA: (laughing) yeah ... well
actually probably the worst that I can remember was this year in Branson,
Missouri. It was in this old theme park sort of thing and the crowd was packed-
there was ... like stacks of people there, but they had sat through a speaker
for like an hour or that kind of thing. So we come on and we're doing our thing
and it was like in the middle of the day so we didn't have any of our lights or
anything ... and people started like walking out! I don't think the sound was
very good and also they'd been sitting there for a long time I think through
other stuff as well. And so a lot of people left and then- it was April Fools-
the band decides that they're going to play a trick on me. So they modulate in
the song and so, not only am I affected by the crowd who is leaving, but also
they modulate so I'm feeling like I'm going insane! So then they modulate back
down ... and so- I'm just like freaking out ...
JONATHAN: So you're singing either too flat or too sharp
REBECCA: They modulated up so I had to adjust- well at first I kept singing in my key and I
was thinking, "This is not sounding right, this is not sounding right!" So then
I adjusted to their key right in time for them to drop back down and I thought I
was going to die!
JONATHAN: So you sounded like the Thompson Twins
in concert ... never mind ... I'm dating myself.
I asked a few youth
pastors, "What would you ask Rebecca St. James?" The single ones said they would
ask, "Will you go out with me?" So tell me, is there someone special? Do you
have a love life?
REBECCA: (laughing) No, my love life is
reasonably non-existent actually. Which ... because road life doesn't like . .
. help relationships really. Although I've been home a reasonable amount this
year but I just really haven't met anybody that I just feel ... you know ...
"This could be the one!" You know ... not lately.
JONATHAN: So do you ever think about that?
REBECCA: Yeh I do ... but I just .
. . I feel like in God's timing it's going to be right and he's going to...
you know ... show up in my life.
JONATHAN: Where are you going to meet him.
REBECCA: (laughing) I have NO idea! I have a real
heart for missions so I've always felt maybe on the mission field I'd meet him
or like on a short term mission trip or something like that ...
JONATHAN: That'd be cool. Some guy who say's "Who are you?
What's your name?"
REBECCA: Yeh ... exactly! I'd love that.
JONATHAN: That'd be cool. Hey let me ask you a couple
personal questions. When you grew up, who's CDs or tapes did you listen to.
REBECCA: Petra, Carmen... I use to do the Champion with Carmen
and put my hands up in the air. I would make my brothers the Devils and Satan
and I'd be Jesus (laugh)
JONATHAN: A servant attitude.
REBECCA: Also listened to White Heart, Stryper. Yeh- I
actually caught one of their Bibles.
JONATHAN: Really?
REBECCA: They use to throw New Testaments out in the
audience.
JONATHAN: Yeah, I remember that.
Are you reading any books right now?
REBECCA: I'm reading a book called The Deeper
Christian Life, by Andrew Murray. It's REALLY good.
JONATHAN: Favorite movie?
REBECCA: While You Were Sleeping.
JONATHAN: While You Were Sleeping?
REBECCA: It's so good.
JONATHAN: It's my wife's favorite movie.
REBECCA: Beautiful ... so sweet. That would be kind of
nice- meeting your husband that way- saving his brother's life ...
JONATHAN: and getting to know him better while visiting the
family ...
REBECCA: so romantic ...
JONATHAN: Just don't lie as much as Lucy/Sandra Bullock- avoid a
little bit of trouble!
REBECCA: Yes- of course
JONATHAN: Dogs or cats? If you had a choice ...
REBECCA: Dogs!
JONATHAN: What do you think of cats?
REBECCA: They're just kind of ... prissy.
JONATHAN: They are- aren't they?
Rebecca: You know. They just are kind of ...(funny expression)
JONATHAN: Let me finish by asking- since this goes out to a bunch
of youth workers - how can we pray for you?
REBECCA: Pray for us to, as a team, be
spiritually sensitive- you know- led by God absolutely to speak what he's saying
now- I think that's the big one.
JONATHAN: Cool. Well, obviously
it happened tonight with 74 people coming forward. I went back to the room and
they were short counselors- I got to lead 2 people to Christ. It was
fun.
REBECCA: Wow. Very Cool.
JONATHAN: Good stuff. Hey, thanks for your time. I appreciate it.
REBECCA: No problem, thank you.
Keep an eye out for Rebecca's new album coming out October 24th. Check
out her website where you can find out the latest news about her, her role in
the new Left Behind movie and her song on the soundtrack! Cool!
http://www.rsjames.com
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