Victoria Loren Kelly AKA Tory Kelly is an American singer, songwriter, record producer and actress who slowly gained recognition after starting to post videos on YouTube at the age of 14. The now Grammy-nominated singer Tori Kelly is sharing her faith in Christ, revealing that her relationship with God is what keeps her grounded in an industry where temptation has a way of getting the best of people.
In a recent interview with Life Church’s online youth ministry, “Switch,” Tori opens up about her faith journey as a musician, and how it continues to shape her career.
Her all-too-relatable testimony rings true of so many Christians today in that she grew up in the church but didn’t become serious about her faith until she got older.
“You kind of get to a point where your faith really becomes your own and it’s not about what your parents say or what they believe, but it’s really like, ‘No, this is real to me.’ I’ve really experienced the presence of God and I know that this is my own faith,” she says.
Tori Kelly on Facing Battles
In an industry that’s saturated with sin, it’s no surprise that Tori often faces a battle in making career decisions based on the industry, and making decisions that stay true to her faith.
Still, she’s able to recognize that both Jesus and music have always been a part of her. It serves as a daily reminder to focus on what’s really important underneath it all.
“Jesus is number one,” she says. “There’s that conviction. Certain opportunities will come up and I’ll just have to say no.”
For Tori, the most difficult challenge isn’t keeping her faith, but rather doing what she’s passionate about in a way that goes against the grain of the music industry.
“In my line of work, it’s kind of built up to be all about me.” But as a Christian, she knows that just isn’t the case. Tori makes intentional efforts to keep her eye on the One this life is really about, saying, “My faith is everything to me.”
And while Tori’s career as a singer-songwriter has come with an impressive list of accolades, she says it’s still always about Jesus.
“I can’t rely on these accomplishments, these goals and these dreams, which are great and good things…but even good things can be idols.”
Check out the entire interview below:
What would happen if millions of people worked together to express their faith online, every day, by sharing the most cause-driven, faith-based and inspirational stories with their friends? God is awesome. Let’s share that knowledge with the world—one story at a time. You in?
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