|PIC1|Rebecca St James has wisely used the compelling voice that established her as one of Christian music’s signature artists to continually bring spiritual encouragement to her generation and beyond.

That voice came out again through the written word with the unveiling of her new book in Denver over the weekend.

St James is the editor of Loved: Stories of Forgiveness, out in September from Faithwords Publishing. The book is inspired by the release of her self-written song, You Are Loved.

In addition to the new book launch, ICRS this year also holds for St James the honour of accolades for her ’08 book release, Pure, being recognised in the 2009 “Retailers Choice Awards” among the Top 3 books of the year in the Youth/Teen category. Pure, a 90-day devotional in which Rebecca speaks frankly and openly from her own spiritual and personal life experiences, has shown strong connectivity with both reviewers and readers.

A young woman who has spent much of her 15 years in ministry using her musical platform as a way of exposing women to the power of purity, St James’s message has grown in Pure to a broader voice espousing a Godly lifestyle in the realms of body, mind and spirit, and now in Loved, to the enduring power of forgiveness.

St James is hoping her new book will capture, inspire, and encourage anyone who has ever wandered away from God or doubted their faith.

She says: “Loved is a book about prodigals and for prodigals - which is all of us. God has His arms open wide, waiting for us, no matter what we have done. He wants us to run toward Him, andHe will run toward us. This is a message of hope that our generation needs to hear. No matter where you’ve been and what you’ve done ... you are loved.”