She has written over a dozen published books, narrated a documentary, and acted in nine films (including lead roles in Sarah's Choice and A Strange Brand of Happy), a musical stage show, and a VeggieTales episode ("An Easter Carol").

She is also an outspoken sexual abstinence and pro-life advocate, a spokesperson for Compassion International, the sister of Joel and Luke Smallbone who are the band For King & Country, and the wife of Foster the People's former bassist Jacob "Cubbie" Fink.

[7][1] In 1990, at age 12, St. James opened shows for fellow CCM artist Carman during his Australian tour.

[8][9] Soon after its release, her family moved to Nashville, Tennessee, United States, in 1991, where her father received a job offer.

[8] She and her family were in dire financial straits, but they were supported by neighbors who brought them food and their neighborhood Baptist church which gave them furniture after learning they were sleeping on the floor.

[15] Also in 1998, St. James contributed to the CCM compilation album Surfonic Water Revival with the song "Gold Coast".

[23] In addition to her own projects, St. James took part in a CD release, Heaven & Earth: A Tapestry of Worship, which featured female Christian artists such as Nichole Nordeman and Jennifer Knapp.

[25] In June 2000, St. James released a cover of the song "Shout to the Lord" on the CCM compilation album Eterne: Never Be the Same.

[30] Also in 2001, St. James contributed to the CCM compilation album The Prayer of a Jabez with the song "Lead Me Away", which is a duet with Michael Tait.

[34] The song and book promotes sexual abstinence before marriage, and St. James has since become a major spokesperson for the subject.

[42] Also in 2004, St. James starred in the stage musical !Hero as a modern day Mary Magdalene (as Maggie).

[43] St. James later lent her voice to the VeggieTales episode "An Easter Carol" as Hope the Music Box Angel.

[53][54] In early 2006, St. James embarked on her If I Had One Chance To Tell You Something Tour with fellow Christian group BarlowGirl.

[55] She also recorded "America", the theme song for the National Day of Prayer, co-written by singer/songwriter Phil Laeger.

[57] She also recorded a cover of Chris Tomlin's song "Forever" for the album WOW Worship: Aqua.

[3] In the midst of a musical hiatus, ForeFront Records put together a two-disc compilation album, The Ultimate Collection, which was released 11 March 2008.

[64] In late 2008, St. James announced she would star as the lead role in Sarah's Choice, a film that was released to DVD on 17 November 2009.

[68][69] Although on musical hiatus, on 16 April 2009, St. James released "You're Alive" to iTunes as an advance single for her Resurrection Worship: Songs of Hope album.

[73] On 19 October 2010, St. James released her version of "O Little Town of Bethlehem" on the album The Essential Christmas Collection.

The album was met with positive reviews from Christian music critics and was highly successful, debuting at No.

[80][81] St. James starred in A Strange Brand of Happy, a romantic comedy film that was released on 13 September 2013.

The film revolves around Joyce, a single Christian life coach who falls for an agnostic client.

[82][83] On 12 March 2013, St. James announced via Facebook that she was publishing The Merciful Scar, her first Christian novel, co-authored with Nancy Rue.

[89] After several years of musical hiatus, St. James recorded and released a cover of "Amazing Grace", with her brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone of the band For King & Country.

[91][92] St. James later joined the "Greatest Hits Live" tour from November 2018 and continued through May 2019 with Point of Grace, Avalon, Nicole C. Mullen, Bob Carlisle, and NewSong.

[98] The EP's first single, "Battle Is the Lord's", was released on 12 June 2020 and features guest artist Brandon Lake.

[2] Unsung Hero, a film based on the lives of St. James and her family, was released via Lionsgate in April 2024.

St. James will release a new book on 4 February 2025 titled Lasting Ever: Faith, Music, Family, and Being Found by True Love.

[105] On 3 January 2011, she announced her engagement to Foster the People's former bassist Jacob "Cubbie" Fink, a Colorado native and a missionary to South Africa.

[107] On 4 October 2013, St. James announced that they were expecting their first child and on 18 February 2014, she gave birth to their daughter Gemma Elena Fink.