Behind the Lights

The Extraordinary Adventure of a Mum and Her Family

By: Helen Smallbone, Lisa Stilwell, Rebecca St. James - foreword, David Smallbone

Narrated by: Helen Smallbone, Rebecca St. James, David Smallbone

Christian Book Award - Finalist 2023 (print)!!

In this inspiring debut memoir, Helen Smallbone, mother of seven creative children―including Christian music artists for KING & COUNTRY and Rebecca St. James―chronicles the family’s journey of faith across the ocean to go where God was leading. Written from a mother’s perspective, Helen shares stories of peaks, valleys, and a family trusting God for provision.

Helen Smallbone’s heartfelt story illustrates what it means to really let God lead, which almost always means living outside the box of how the world says to live. How did an ordinary Australian family produce two Grammy Award–winning artists―Rebecca St. James and for KING & COUNTRY? What happened to bring the Smallbones through closed doors and to new beginnings in the United States? In Behind the Lights, Helen shares not only these stories of her family but of the life lessons they all learned along the way.

In 1991 Helen and her husband, David, packed up their family and sixteen suitcases to move from Australia to the United States. Completely isolated from the support of family and friends, they relied on God to provide them with hope and direction. Helen watched her children join forces as Rebecca St. James’ career grew, soon followed by blossoming careers for the others―as artists, entrepreneurs, filmmakers―and the rise of Joel and Luke’s for KING & COUNTRY on Christian music charts. Helen shares untold stories and insights into how her family worked and stuck together, constantly relying on their faith to guide the way. Helen’s journey includes:

• meeting her future husband with a cockatoo on her shoulder

• the family’s move to the states in blind faith

• the kindness of neighbors and the local church that gave them the encouragement they so desperately needed

• years of touring alongside Rebecca and the formation of for KING & COUNTRY

• the ways God led and enabled her to homeschool and think about education differently

• an inside look at the stories and dynamics of the entire Smallbone family

No matter where you are in life, Helen shows through her own experiences that what God has done in her life, He will do in yours, too.

©2022 Helen Smallbone, Lisa Stilwell, Rebecca St. James, David Smallbone (P)2022 One Audiobooks

Truly Encouraging Strong Faith Story

Very encouraging and uplifting. I agree with most things Helen Smallbones mentioned in her story Her family’s stories of faith through hard times and their growth in the Lord strongly encourage us to go deeper in JESUS

Inspirational book about family and faith

I enjoyed every word of this book. Helen Small one shares her story in an engaging way. They had joys and sorrows, successes and failures - but handled them through faith in God and al! working together. They also had community that served as a strength for them. We all need the give and take of community as well as family.

Inspiring, hopeful, breath of fresh air

I recently attended a for King and Country concert where Helen's book was brought to my attention. This is not my usual type of book, but looking for something different, decided to give it a listen. What struck me so much during listening is that God is with us in all our moments, our good and our bad. Maybe, we can't see Him when we're in the moment, but when we look back our our life, we can see the handiwork of God. This book is a reflection that truth and an inspiring reminder as well. The Smallbones have lived normal, but extordinary lives. Their faith is an inspiration. A testimony. While listening, be prepared for moments of watery eyes, gratitude for God's handiwork, and the realization that when you give your life to God and lean into His will, extordinary can happen. Blessings to all and I hope the Smallbone's story inspires you as it has me.

Excellent ... loved it! Bought additional copies!

I loved the book so much that I bought extra copies. I even gave one to my wife ... and one to my daughter.

Unshakable faith

What a beautiful, inspiring and moving story and faith witness which made my heart glad. I enjoy the music of Rebecca St James and For King and Country and Ben’s videos. A blessing all around.
Well done Helen (my Mom’s name also) and David.

What a wonderful story

I felt like I was listening to my own life story. I cried like I haven't done since the passing of my baby brother 11 years ago because I was so touched by this story. I definitely recommend this to anyone.

Bravo 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

This was extraordinary!!! The Good Lord has blessed and truly worked and continues to work through this family… Thank you for giving of yourselves to His Glory and giving us all hope… I’ve passed this book on to my sister who made me a proud Aunt to her 7 children. And I will continue to pass it on!
God Bless you guys!!!♥️

Her honesty and vulnerability.

I love her honesty and vulnerability, and I have loved watching this family’s, faith being strengthened, time and time again by walking through challenges. Their honesty has helped me feel less alone during my dark times,and I’m so grateful for the journey/testimony they have shared with all of us‼️

Every Parent should listen/read this book!

Very inspiring, I wish I had heard it when my kids were younger. Very well written, and pleasant to listen too!

Honest examples of True Jesus followers

Enjoy the life and times of the remarkable journey story of the Smallbone family to date.
We just heard a fantastic open air concert by For King + Country after God Almighty stopped the cold rain. It was a remarkable concert by Luke & Joel and their gang. After listening to Helen Smallbone read her book, there is no doubt God is foremost in their lives. They included the entire family in everything, regardless, a lesson today's families could create adhesion to each other is so needed. Her Aussie accent and way of speaking is so much fun. I will read the paper copy in time also.