God Will Provide

“And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philip 4:19

Rebecca St. James is a well known Christian songwriter and vocalist who understands God’s provision. Her father, David Smallbone, was a Christian concert promoter in Australia who went bankrupt on a national tour. Ticket sales fell far short of the needed revenue so he ended up taking a $250,000 personal loss. This resulted in losing their house and all they had.

His only hope was a job in America where an artist asked him to become his manager. So in the fall of 1991, the family moved to Nashville and lived in a motel until they could afford an unfurnished rental house. Smallbone’s wife, Helen, slept on the only mattress they owned, the rest of the family slept on the floor. Within a few brief months, he was told the position was no longer available. He was so devastated, he literally could not get out of bed.

But as the family began to pray, God’s provisions started becoming evident. Groceries showed up at the door, Sunday School classes donated furniture, and a Nashville songwriter gave them a Toyota Previa car that was just three months old. The family took on odd jobs with Rebecca, the oldest, helping her mother clean houses, baby-sit, and work with her two brothers mowing lawns and raking leaves.

Along the way, Forefront Records heard a demo tape of Rebecca and offered her a recording contract at the age of fifteen. She took on an old family name, Saint James, recorded her first album, and made plans for a concert tour.

The same man who gave them the van, Jon Mohr, knew they would need bigger transportation, so he traded in the Previa van and bought them a 15-passenger van. David Smallbone was so overwhelmed by Mohr’s generosity, he offered to give John fifty-percent of the royalties from Rebecca’s songs. to serve in the Ukraine. Twice a year, the Mohr’s receive royalty checks from the Smallbone’s that help support their ministry. Isn’t it amazing how God provides.