Robert Pierre Identity

Not many kids hit adolescence with a record deal and huge youth tour?and still keep up their grades. Meet Robert Pierre, an Orlando teen with a big voice and an even bigger heart?a talented basketball player and high school student who has found his Identity, and who's reaching out with the message that students don't need to look to the world to define who they are.

Two years ago, Robert released his debut album, Inside Out, while in the eighth grade. Now 16, Robert's voice and musical style have matured, but his encouraging message remains the same. With his sophomore album Identity hitting exclusive stores this fall, this high school sophomore is on a mission to help kids discover that through Christ, they have value to God.

"A lot of kids are asking, 'Who am I?' and 'How am I important?' " Robert says. "They are finding their identity through friends or sports figures or celebrities or whatever. They don't understand that their identity isn't in that stuff; it's in Christ, because He died on the cross for their sins. It only matters what God thinks. I want kids to know that they are forgiven and set free, and that it doesn't matter what other people think?they are very important to God."

From the first note of the title track, Identity catches the attention of kids and teens with its bouncy hooks, sweeping ballads, clever lyrics and contagious melodies. With award-winning producer Matt Bronlewee (Jars of Clay, Steven Curtis Chapman) at the helm and top-notch songwriters like Matthew West, Scott Krippayne, and Jason Ingram contributing, Identity is set to captivate and present the gospel to a rapidly maturing generation.

True to Robert's heart for missions, the high school sophomore is giving away tracks from Identity at Family Christian Stores with a $10 donation to the James Fund starting in mid-September through December The James Fund is a non-profit organization founded by Family Christian Stores in 2003 to meet the needs of orphans and widows in the communities it serves.

"For generations, my family has been involved with missionaries to build and run Christian orphanages," says Robert. "But it wasn't until I met thousands of kids right here in America who were truly hurting that I felt a calling for ministry. I want kids to understand that it doesn't matter who the world tells them to be, it only matters who God says they are. That's our identity and it's the motivation behind the CD."

This fall, Robert will also be spreading the message of true Identity to tens of thousands of 'tweens (generally accepted as 8-13 year olds) on the iShine Live tour, a high-powered event that also features new trio the Rubyz, Disney actor Luke Benward and speaker Paige Armstrong. It's Robert's follow-up to the successful CIY Believe conferences, where he met thousands of middle schoolers and listened to their stories.

"I met a lot of kids going through really tough times, and I still keep in touch with a lot of them," Robert said. "That's why Identity speaks to me so much, because kids need to know who they are. And sometimes a song can reach them."

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