Singer Rebecca St. James came to music very early in life aged just 13. She was raised in Australia, the eldest of seven children in a musically inclined family. Her brothers, Joel and Luke Smallbone, later went on to form the Grammy-winning duo For King & Country. Her father, David was a concert promoter, which exposed her to the music industry from an early age.
She went on to become one of the pioneering voices in contemporary Christian music, particularly during the late 1990s and early 2000s with songs including; Wait for Me, God, Reborn and Yes, I Believe in God.
Now in her forties she's written a book about her life and work titled: Lasting Ever: Faith, Music, Family, and Being Found by True Love". It's co-written with her husband Cubbie Fink and explores their faith, music careers, family life, and relationship.
She also has a movie out - Unsung Hero - which came out last year and focuses on the lives of her parents.
On this week's Profile she talks to Premier's Esther Higham about her life, her marriage and what God did when she lost her voice.
The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity Magazine, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Through our publication, you’ll access thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary. Take advantage of our special offer - just £6 for 3 issues plus full digital access to our website and back issues. Enrich your faith journey and subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.
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34:47
Tauren Wells on musical authenticity and male role models
Grammy nominated Tauren Wells first came to prominence as the singer of Christian pop band Royal Tailor which blended a unique sound of pop, funk and soul.
But it wasn't always a straightforward path to success with many not accepting his particular style. He admits feeling misunderstood at times but in this interview with Premier Gospel's Cassandra Maria he talks about how his pastor Father-in-law helped him feel accepted for who he was.
Wells single Known achieved significant success on Christian music charts and earned Grammy nominations. That was followed up by Citizen of Heaven , featuring collaborations with Kirk Franklin and his third album, Joy in the Morning.
Songs such as Hills and valleys and God’s not done with you struck a chord with listeners who saw themselves in his stories of identity, struggle and faith. Now he has a large online following with over 1 million subscribers on YouTube.
He and his wife Lorna are also ministers at the Church of Whitestone in Austin, Texas, where they both serve as lead pastors.
Wells is also an author and his new book is called Joy Bomb- Unleash Jesus's Explosive Joy for an Extraordinary Life.
In this interview he talks to Cassandra Maria about being authentic, the fact that Jesus wants us to be happy and why young men are looking for role models.
The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity Magazine, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Through our publication, you’ll access thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary. Take advantage of our special offer - just £6 for 3 issues plus full digital access to our website and back issues. Enrich your faith journey and subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.
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36:43
Leadership Special Prof John H Walton : ‘Leading through disagreement’
Andy Peck talks to the author of ‘New Explorations in the Lost World of Genesis: Advances in the Origins Debate’ about his journey of understanding of the first chapters of Genesis and the challenge of sharing his views when others disagree. What is Genesis 1 really about? Was there a real Adam and Eve?
Further reading he recommended: Reconsidering Creation Ex Nihilo in Genesis 1 (Journal of Theological Interpretation Supplements): by Nathan J. Chambers; Reformed Theology and Evolutionary Theory by Gijsbert van den Brink; Old Testament Cosmology and Divine Accommodation: A Relevance Theory Approach by John W. Hilber; Adam and the Genome: Reading Scripture After Genetic Science by Dennis R. Venema and Scot McKnight
The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Check out the latest offers at premierchristianity.com
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28:11
Fr Jamie Franklin: From independent evangelical to catholic Anglican
As priest-in-charge at Holy Trinity in Winchester, an Anglo-Catholic
neo-Gothic church built in the mid-19th century, Jamie Franklin is a far cry from the charismatic Christian upbringing he experienced as a child in Essex influenced by the Toronto Blessings.
His parents divorced when he was young and although he admits his childhood made him receptive to The Gospel it wasn't until he reached university and read The Bible that he really began to take it seriously. Later, a profoundly spiritual experience in church drew him to the Anglican Catholic tradition which he has found a home in ever since.
Franklin says he has always felt a drawn towards art and literature believing, one day, he would be a writer. He currently hosts Irreverend and the Holy CofE podcast and is author of the new book The Great Return which explores the need for a return to traditional Christian values in Western society.
In this episode of The Profile he talks to Premier Christianity editor Sam Hailes. about the effect his early charismatic Christian childhood had, his love of music, the unique character of English Anglican Catholicism, assisted dying and how AI helps him in his role as a priest.
The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity Magazine, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Through our publication, you’ll access thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary. Take advantage of our special offer - just £6 for 3 issues plus full digital access to our website and back issues. Enrich your faith journey and subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.
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58:25
Leadership Special Kathryn Segal: ‘Leading through weakness'
Andy Peck talks to the pastor’s wife who shared her struggle with depression on Instagram and quickly found an audience of 4000 followers, many of whom were Christians blessed by her vulnerability. They chat about her story and how God can use each of us to be an influence where he has placed us.
The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Check out the latest offers at premierchristianity.com
Find out what makes influential Christian leaders tick! Hear the faith stories of a huge range of church leaders, musicians, preachers and more, as they share how God has led and guided them through both valleys and mountain-top experiences.
The Profile brings you in-depth interviews to help you learn from the wisdom and experiences of people who have gone all-in for God.
Past guests include church leaders such as HTB’s Nicky Gumbel, the world renown DJ Moby, Bible teachers Joyce Meyer and John Mark Comer, missionary Jackie Pullinger, Gospel superstar Fred Hammond and worship leaders Martin Smith and Tim Hughes. New episodes are published every Friday, PLUS check out bonus episodes every Wednesday, where our resident leadership expert Andy Peck interviews a range of pastors, preachers and practitioners on the topic of Christian leadership.
The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. If you enjoy The Profile you’re sure to love Premier Christianity magazine which will help you understand the changing culture around us and what God is doing through his Church today, read for free now at premierchristianity.com.
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