Rebecca St. James is in the Czech Republic today bringing the message of Christian music to a part of the world where concerts such as hers are seldom staged. Nevertheless, Christian organizers in the former communist held nation expect a massive outpouring of young people will attend to see St. James perform at the outdoor National Youth Gathering being held in the city of Tabor.

Europe is literally a second home for the GRAMMY® winning Australian born singer who records for EMI/Forefront and whose footprint is global. She annually tours the continent as part of a career she considers more of an evangelical ministry than a standard music industry calling to sell records and increase her fan base. Notes Beth McKenzie, V.P. of International Marketing for EMI, “Rebecca’s commitment to international ministry over the years has been extraordinary and to this end, she has become one of the most popular Christian artists outside the U.S.”

“I always love going to Europe. There’s such a joy with which they receive the encouragement that comes from Christian music, such a fresh enthusiasm that I sense over there,” noted Rebecca in a pre-tour interview with Radio UCB in London. “A lot of the countries that we’re returning to this trip, such as Holland, Norway, and England, we’ve visited so many times I feel that we’ve built up a kind of supportive family; it’s like coming back to visit relatives,” she added.

Included on this tour will be St. James’ first ever appearance this Thursday headlining at one of Europe’s largest Christian concert events, Holland’s Flevo Festival, held outside of Amsterdam August 16th-19th. On the 19th, she will be in London for a return appearance at historic Kensington Temple.

In addition to global touring, the singer’s work as a major voice for Compassion International gives her a broad vision of world outreach. It’s a vision in particular for the world’s children that last year extended to Rwanda in Africa on a mission Rebecca openly talks about as “profoundly life changing for me.” Through her direct work with Compassion, to date more than 30,000 of the world’s neediest children have found sponsorship.

For an artist who last year brought a bold message in music for God to twelve Euro countries in a 15 day tour span, including a celebrated concert staged in the shadow of the Kremlin in Moscow, Europe this year holds added excitement of seeing old friends, and making new ones.

“I’m excited to see what God is going to do and I am excited myself about being refreshed by being with my brothers and sisters in these parts of the world,” notes St. James. “There’s a verse in the Bible that says ‘He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed’ and I really believe that is what will happen on this European trip.”

For more information on St. James, visit her YMZ artist page.