On the heels of releasing her second EP, Faithful, worship artist Teresa Peterson spoke with us about her latest release and how her Catholic faith influences her music. 

Growing up, were you a fan of contemporary Christian music? What artists most influenced you, both as a listener and as a musician? 

I was! I grew up with Christian and Country music. My Dad is very musical too, so he would lead worship in the house which was really special. I was really drawn to Amy Grant, especially her crossover album Heart in Motion. I really liked that she wrote and sang her own songs and could release such a positive record with mass appeal.
When you realized your call to music, what drew you to pursue the Contemporary Christian Music scene as opposed to other musical paths?

I was 16 years old on a weekend youth retreat when during a time of worship God spoke to me (in my heart) telling me that he wanted me to sing for Him and for His people. That moment changed my whole life trajectory, although at the time I didn't realize He literally meant sing and lead worship! That took 10 years of pursuing secular music to find that out. I lived in Nashville and wrote country-pop music and took time to find my voice and really learn how to write songs. I did that until I got burnt out and thought my musical days were behind me. It's so beautiful how God wastes nothing and when He started to bring music back, but in a Christian setting, I knew I'd found my home creatively. I love singing for God and leading others in worship! It's such a privilege.

I think it's no understatement to say that the number of Catholics in Contemporary Christian Music continues to border on nonexistent. What has your experience been entering a musical scene that has been almost exclusively driven by artists from a "Protestant" background?

We are definitely the minority for sure! But in my experience, it's amazing. Actually, most of my creative team is Protestant. It's based on friendship and trust. We simply love coming together to make the most compelling art we can that proclaims the gospel--it's a vision we can all get behind. It's beautiful and so fun! I believe there's a real universality when it comes to worship. It brings us all together as sons and daughters worshiping our Father with open arms and hearts. The unity I've experienced has felt very holy to me.

As a Catholic artist, have there ever been times where you found it difficult to express a message that relates to all denominations of Christians without it feeling like you're trying to hide your own personal religious background? 

What a lovely question! You know, it hasn't come up that much because my audiences have been mostly Catholic up until now. When it's been interdenominational--like on my creative team--there's always been a groundwork of friendship, trust, and respect, so that really hasn't been an issue either. I think honor, respect, and love can go a long way. I'm going out to Bethel's Worship School in July and am so excited to learn as much as I can. I just can't wait to love on all of them!  And I think when you lead with love, beautiful things happen.
 
Is there any advice you'd give to aspiring Catholic musicians and artists who may feel forced between either aiming for an exclusively Catholic audience or taking an entirely secular approach altogether? 

This is a constant topic of conversation in Christian creative circles! The tension between religious art or art that speaks universal truth. Those on either side will swear up and down how their perspective is the right one. I think if anyone were to ask my advice, I would encourage them to pray, create and see what speaks to people. For a time, it really spoke to my soul to write secular music. I needed that. Now, I'm writing in the Christian genre and I've stumbled across my specific purpose and calling. To me, I've found my niche and feel boundless in it. It's empowering finding where you fit. It's ok to try on a few different hats until you find your place. Great art comes with great risk. Simply create and let the art speak for itself.

For that matter, what would be your message to potential listeners who are from a non-Catholic background, especially those who may have a more adversarial view of Catholic artists? 

I think the beauty of worship itself is unifying. Love is disarming. My music is the Gospel, which tends to be ecumenical in nature, so I would say let's first praise and worship God as brothers and sisters and be surprised by how much we have in common. 

For your new EP, Faithful, was there a specific unifying theme you aimed to capture across the 5 new tracks?

I take a lot of inspiration from my own prayer when I write songs. When I started writing for Faithful, I found myself spiritually and personally walking in the promises of God, but not yet living in the fulfillment of those promises. As my faith was being stretched, I knew I wanted to write an upbeat record, but also I wanted Faithful to speak life into all of our barren circumstances. To write a record that rejoices in the breakthrough that is yet to come. I know I need constant encouragement to believe in who God says He is and not limit His goodness to my current circumstances. It's my hope that when you listen to these songs, you're able to roll the windows down, sing along and be uplifted by the truth that God is faithful.

Which of your new songs are you most excited to share with your fans? What was the inspiration behind this song?

Oohhh, this one is tough! "Faithful" is my all-around favorite. I love everything about that song: the production, the lyrics, the guitar tone, tempo, everything.  But the one I'm most excited to share with my fans is probably "One and Only." Perhaps because it's the most powerful worship song I've written to date (aaaaaannnd I get to really belt out the bridge, haha). I got to write this song with my producer, Jake Jones and hit songwriter, Leo Ahlstrom and it came together so quickly! I was down in Nashville running on grace and caffeine and I stopped into a chapel for 20 minutes to pray. I remember just soaking in His presence and lifting up the upcoming co-write and that His name be glorified no matter what came out of it. As the co-write started, we prayed and began to write and in less than two days later, "One and Only" existed! I love how every line truly glorifies who God is. My secret favorite line? "Who is like you, God?" I call it the St. Michael line.

If, when all is said and done, you're remembered for only one of your songs, a "legacy song" so to speak, which song would you choose and why? 

"Safe Harbor." It's on my 2015 EP Freely Fully and it was the first song I ever wrote. That song is so sacred to me. I wrote that song only months after moving to Nashville and remember sitting at my piano begging God to help me write a song. Any song. I should've picked up on the hint that the first song He helped me write was a song about Him. I'm not sure if it will be a legacy song to many, but it is to me.