Our Virtues Series: From Secular to Gospel, Interview with Terri Saffold

Introducing Terri Saffold, as part of Memoirs of a Virtuous Woman's series "Our Virtues" that highlights young women making a difference in the world around them through Christ. Better known as Terri Vee, Terri is an amazing gospel rapper, with a passion for winning souls to to Christ. She

began transitioning into gospel in 2009 after being a secular artist. Since then, there's been  no looking back to please the world. 

Tell readers briefly about your background?

My real name is Terri Vonjeanna Saffold. I was born May 17, 1990 in Tampa Florida at home on the couch with my umbilical cord wrapped around my neck... Yeah, I know. The enemy tried to kill my young... BUT GOD! I'm the baby of 9 and I'm probably the most gifted one lol. My musical career started young. My mom put me in the youth choir at our local church and soon after that I was singing everywhere I could.

Was becoming a Christian rapper what you always desired? Or did you have an itch to branch onto the secular scene?

 I NEVER thought I'll be a Christian Rapper.... At age six I discovered my gifting in rap and writing my own music. It was never anything negative until age 16. At age 19 I gave my life to Christ and I kind of put an end to rap. I grew up under a strict ministry so I felt like Christian Rap would have been inappropriate so my main focus was my singing career! Until one day I was on a fast and the Lord gave me a rap verse to write. I was shocked! I shared it with my sister and she told me that it was awesome. She shared with me other gospel rap artist and I was floored. I was floored because I never knew gospel rap existed. So from then on... I made up my mind that I wouldn't allow my gift to die. Whew! It's crazy how fast God elevated me since!

When did you accept Christ in your life? How has your life changed since then? 

My mom was dying from cancer in 2009 so that pushed me to rededicate my life to God. I have no regrets on what happened in my past, I believe my past made me strong, smart, and saved! I experienced so much at such a young age but Im yet grateful because God gave me a powerful testimony. As of today I am living for Jesus and I strive daily to be more like Christ. I will be a liar if I tell you that EVERYTHING is perfect because it's not but this walk has taught me that although I'm not perfect I serve a perfect God that per-fects EVERYTHING concerning me!

Some people have a negative outlook on Christian rap. Why do you think so? Why is it positive?

I believe people have a negative outlook on Christian Rap because they really haven't learned how to LIVE yet. Some people are seriously bond to religion and honestly that's who I was. I was that person that got save and felt as though Christian Rap was not of God simply because of the ministry that I was under. I never really tried to get an understanding of it for MYSELF until the Lord gave me a powerful verse that has changed many lives! I mean let's get real... how can it NOT be of God?? Christian rappers give out a positive message... We share our testimony, we rap about LIFE, we share scriptures, we give clarity, and it also edify's not just the body of Christ but unbelievers as well.
"Respect my bars/
I'm not rapping about "stealing cars or cigars"/
I'm leading souls to CHRIST I'm not leading them behind bars/
I'm a good example I am something like "BIZARRE" /
Not tryna be a star but for Christ Ima go far!/

Many young women are dealing with insecurities. What would you tell someone that's filled with doubt and doesn't believe in their dreams? 

Well, here's a few bars I wrote to encourage myself! So as you read this just DECLARE it over YOUR life!

"I promise Ima get it I promise that ima live it/
I won't stop til I fulfill it, I promise that I'm the realest/
Dream chasing... Won't take my dreams to the grave/
I can do all that I want cause I am no longer a slave/
Im no longer a babe I put away my childish ways/
Nomore should ofs, could ofs, would ofs I aint got time to play/
So, Ima do my thing cause I got CHRIST  on my team/
Ima do it with no shame ima fulfill ALL my dreams/
I'm chasing all my dreams no matter how crazy it seems/
I got my FULL trust in God and I'm crushing satan schemes/
If nobody believe in me "I BELIEVE IN ME"/
And that's really all I need to keep going and to succeed/
So ima take the lead even if I gotta blead/
Even if I gotta cry, gotta sweat, gotta scream/
Ima fall down on my knees and ima pray until I get it/
I promise ima live it I won't stop til I fulfil it!/

What do you think is the biggest thing plaguing  young ladies today? 

The biggest thing that's tormenting us is ourselves. We are our biggest enemy...! I believe once we get delivered from "self" we'll be able to fully walk into our God ordained destinies! We give ourselves the hardest time... Life is so awesome man if only we just learn to "live" we'll start to understand our true purpose!

Where can readers find your music and connect with you?

Google me lol. No but seriously! Google "Terri Vee" and everything that you need to know will pop up. Also please go to your app store on your phone and download "Bangin Gospel" app. That's an app my manager created. You'll be able to hear the latest music as well as some good ole preaching!

For more from Terri, visit www.terrivee.com or as she mentioned, simply Google her. 

Stay encouraged ladies!