Gospel Artist Talks Abstinence with Bush Administration
by Allie Martin and Jenni Parker
February 25, 2004
(AgapePress) - One of the most popular contemporary Christian recording artists recently got the chance to lead a Bible study at the White House and speak about God's view regarding sex outside marriage.Earlier this month, Rebecca St. James was invited to the White House to lead a lunchtime Bible study and spend time with several members of the Bush Administration staff. At the conclusion of the study, several staffers approached St. James and questioned her about her thoughts on abstinence. The Bush Administration is currently working on a nationwide abstinence initiative.
The Australian-born gospel artist, who has made the message of abstinence and sexual purity a particular focus of her ministry, was able to share with members of the Bush team some of the experiences and insights she has gained from speaking with teenagers during her travels throughout the U.S.
St. James feels the current generation has been sold a lie that tells young people they can do whatever they want to do sexually, whenever they want and with whomever they want -- "and they're not talking about the consequences," the singer laments. She says, "Every time I see my generation being sold this lie, it impassions me to speak my message about purity and abstinence even more."
Her heart for this issue has led St. James to branch out far beyond the concert tour stage in order to maximize outreach. Not only has she recently toured with the cast of the Christian rock opera Hero!, but the Grammy Award-winning artist, who quoted from the Bible during her acceptance speech, is also a writer of inspiring editorials and best-selling devotional books.
Her book Wait for Me: Rediscovering the Joy of Purity in Romance (Thomas Nelson, 2002) is just one of several resources she has created to encourage others to make biblical choices about sex and relationships. Wait for Me is also the name of a hit song, an album, and a prayer journal by the versatile artist, author, and actress. And recently she even participated in a televised debate with a noted sex therapist.
During the debate, St. James discussed reasons for purity that ranged from the practical to the personal to the highly principled. "When I was on the show I was talking about STDs, you know, AIDS," she says, "but I was also saying that I believe sex can only be its best in marriage because you cannot trust somebody outside of marriage that is not willing to commit their life to you."
St. James says even though Christians know God's ways are the best, believers need to be equipped and ready to share their beliefs with non-Christians. Through her music, her public appearances, her talks with teens, and her writing, the multifaceted Rebecca St. James is putting the word out that there is power in purity.
