In a culture where the gauzy clad Britney Spears is adulated as having the aspired look and where Katy Perry educates lassies that it's okay to kiss a girl and like it, what hope is there for our young girls?  Frankly, we live in a parent-less world.  In our world of fractured families, there is a dire dearth of role models for our daughters and sisters.  Who is there to teach young girls about modesty?  About the sacredness of sex?  About what true beauty is?  About relating to God and pursing holiness?  Thank God for 1 Girl Nation (1GN).  1GN is a five girl group committed to let our youngsters know that it is cool to follow Christ. And that it is not freakish to be different from the world.  They are also part of the Secret Keeper Girl movement where parents and their children are brought together where their relationships are nurtured and strengthened.   Released under the imprint of Reunion Records, their eponymous debut record is a sleek and polished pop-dance endeavor that sounds ultra-cool for those who love to groove along with Rihanna, Demi Lovato and Miley Cyrus.  Yet, undergirding the beats are Godly messages that speak about holiness, true beauty and the vitality of living for Jesus Christ.

In a time where female rookie acts are often domesticated to sing about empty-headed lifestyles priming themselves to be toyed by the opposite sex, 1GN has never ceded to such a bimbo channeling. Instead 1GN has taken a firm spiritual and moral ground, expressing their hearts by writing half of the songs here.  With the rest of the songs coming from tried and true Godly Christian writers such as Jason Ingram, Tony Wood, Kipp Williams and others.  Their lead single "While We're Young" calls to mind the admonition from Ecclesiastes 12:1 to remember our Creator in our youth.  To have these young girls chorusing in unison "we are going to risk it all/for one thing and live for Jesus/while we are young" is just refreshing.  But these girls are not just keeping Jesus Christ personal, on the anthemic title cut "1 Girl Nation" they boldly issue a clarion call to all tweens, teens and young adults to stand together to be a formidable team of Kingdom princess witnessing for Christ.

But "1GN" is not just choked with songs about girlish pow wow, they do have much to say to both sexes.  Teaming up with Christian boy band Royal Tailor on "Love Like Crazy," they bring out a masculine presence.  Here Tauren Wells of Royal Tailor trades lines here with the girls on what is essentially one of the catchiest cuts on the album.  1GN really goes hard for the beats on the danceable "Vertical."  Surrounding themselves with a calibrated rhythm and a fresh electronic vibe, they express their dependence on Jesus on what is essentially a prayer set to a dance tune.  If you love to some gorgeous harmonies, listen to "Invade," an electronic European beat ballad about the transforming work of Christ.  

Yet, not all is electronically upbeat; fans of Taylor Swift will dig "Count Your Rainbows."  With a tinge of rootsy country and that Swift cuteness, "Count Your Rainbows" adds color to the record.  And the girls go for the heart with the moving ballad "In the Eyes." While many teenage girls suffer from a starving vision of what self-worth looks like, 1GN comes alongside gently urging us to look to Jesus Christ who loves us regardless of the size of our hips.  We live in a hero-less society where the words "role models" seriously need special nourishment.  But thank God we have Godly ladies like 1GN; they are willing to stand up to be different.  Thus, they give hope, joy and life to many young people who are stunted by the lies and deceptions of our culture.