A familiar face to Christian concert goers, Terrian joined TobyMac’s Diverse City band in 2017. In 2023 she released the Top 20 Billboard hit song “Big God” before releasing her debut full length album Give It Time earlier this year. She will be on tour this fall on the Awakening Tour with Casting Crowns, We the Kingdom, Mac Powell, Katy Nichole & David Leonard. On Our Story Our Song Terrian takes us back to the basics — a quiet Chapel, a keyboard and a walk through the woods.
We had a beautiful conversation with Terrian while filming Our Story Our Song and because we can’t fit it all inside one episode we’re taking you behind-the-scenes. The powerful and eclectic energy that Terrain radiates in her music and in her performances conveys a passionate and loving relationship with God through music and her life. A proud Memphis, Tennessee native, Terrain recalls growing up in her grandfather’s church and learning to express a love for Jesus alongside her family.
“The first time I shared a song and I poured everything I had into it, was probably in my grandfather’s church. I grew up in my granddad’s church. My dad was his assistant pastor. And I think there’s the safety of family around you because it’s also a family church, and being able to just express your love of Jesus.” Woods recounts sharing her love for Christ through song at an early age.
As a young teenager, Woods became involved with a Memphis ministry called AngelStreet, a nonprofit organization and mentorship program for young girls in the community. The organization started as a choir that would meet once weekly but now is a full-scale mentoring program that involves enriching musical programs and events. In addition, they also offer their participants the opportunity to learn about the world around them through opportunities like college tours and learning to navigate the challenges of life with the assistance of mentors.
Terrain on set in nature for Our Story Our Song. Image: Jessica Patterson
“If there is something deep within you that you feel like you are created to do, we (AngelStreet) wanna help you get there,” says Terrian, who is still active in the ministry. “Like the next season of my life of wanting to be an artist, I was there and experiencing just the women around me and their lives being amongst the mentors and the women that were a part of Angel Street, I got to see things that I hadn’t seen before. And that was even more encouraging for the journey ahead.”
In her early 20’s,Terrian joined CCM artist TobyMac’s Diverse City on tour as a backing vocalist and has been touring with them for seven and a half years. Terrian recalls the members of the tour being like family to her and expresses gratitude for the things she learned on the journey.
“I’ve grown and developed as a young woman. I’ve been able to observe Toby and his leadership and learn how to take that over to my team as well. So I just feel supported. And truly cared for by all of those guys,” says Terrian, describing it as one of the greatest experiences of her life.
In her songwriting, Woods connects creating music to the Creator. To have an authentic time of worship, she aims to recall who God is, drawn by His goodness.
“I experience God when I create by remembering that He is first and foremost the Creator. And so He’s allowed us to share in His creativity,” Terrian shares.
Like many of us, Terrian experienced the vulnerability of the world around her in 2020. This is when she wrote her hit song “Honestly, We Just Need Jesus,” as a powerful response and anthem of hope as the answer to what was happening in life around her. The message came to her while writing and she kept coming back to the powerful phrase “honestly, we just need Jesus”.
In the midst of trials and hard times, Woods’ song “Big God” serves as a reminder that God is bigger than all of that and to not let the enemy steal your faith, joy, and hope. “Man, God is big. Don’t let the enemy ever convince you otherwise,” says Terrian.
When it comes to the Creator and creativity, Woods talks reverently about the gift of nature and creation. While she might not have a lot of experience in nature, she recognizes the gift that it is and what that means to her. Being able to step away from the chaos and busyness of life into nature brings a kind of peace and stillness.
“I just look at it as a gift that we should use and embrace just as much as we can. I even find myself just going ‘I just need to stand in the sun for like five minutes’ and I immediately feel recharged.” says Terrian.
In getting to experience the wonder of nature and of the Creator, Terrian sees how small she is in comparison, but for her, every detail in creation points back to the Creator.
In this season of Our Story Our Song, Terrian takes us on a musical journey, sharing stories and lessons in the lush expansion of nature and invites us to consider the vastness and wonder of being honest and vulnerable with the Creator. She performs live under radiant light breaking through the stained glass windows of a charming chapel and takes to the serenity of nature to talk about her life, faith, and music. Subscribe, like, and comment for more behind the scenes exclusives.
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