Rebecca St. James accepts invitation to visit the White House

Last week, Rebecca St. James got a very special invitation to join members of the Bush administration for breakfast and lunch at the White House. The invitation was prompted by members of the Faith-Based and Community Initiatives team who were interested in hearing St. James' voice on the topic of abstinence and issues affecting the youth of America.

David Kuo, Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of the Office Of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, hosted St. James for breakfast in the West Wing of the White House, the morning following her show in nearby Virginia. During the breakfast, St. James discussed her support of the Bush administration's initiative on abstinence and her longtime ministry commitment to this message.

"It was quite awe inspiring to be in the White House in such close proximity to the Oval Office, especially at this time," she noted on her arrival back from Washington.

Mark Rodgers, Staff Director for the Office of Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, hosted lunch for St. James at the Senate Members Dining Room. Joining her for lunch were members of the Bush administration as well as Allan Hardin, Vice President/General Manager of Forefront Records and representatives from her management office. In speaking with members of the Senate over lunch, St. James was encouraged to find that many members of the administration were actually fans of her music and fans of Christian music in general.

"The people we met in the Bush administration -- both at the White House and the Capitol Building -- were strong and passionate full-on Christians with whom we discussed ways we might partner on the issue of abstinence. We are praying to be led by God, and regardless of what comes, it was a very encouraging day. I want to encourage all to pray for wisdom for President Bush and America's leaders at this time."

Despite high security levels, St. James was given a hosted tour of the Capitol Building, as well as an abbreviated tour of the West Wing of the White House, where President Bush was in residence in the Oval Office.

"One of the more striking impressions I took away from our visit was the passion that the administration demonstrated regarding their desire to impact culture through our shared values," Allan Hardin said of their time in Washington.

PIctured above (l-r): Allan Hardin, Forefront Records Vice President/General Manager; Rebecca St. James; David Kuo, Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives; Jackie Monaghan, Smallbone Management.