How It All Began. . .

Growing up in a country church in Raeford, NC, Terry was introduced to Gospel music for the first time. Although the church was rather small, the God given talent that resonated therein was enormous. This anointed atmosphere was the catalyst that sparked Terry’s desire to serve the Lord through music. At the age of sixteen, Terry would frequently travel on weekends with a Lay Witness Mission Team. The team held mini revivals throughout the state, giving him further opportunity to experience ministry through spoken word and song. During this period of time, Terry began teaching himself to play guitar and piano. This enabled him to take a more active roll in praise and worship services, thus creating a deeper passion for serving Christ through music.

At the age of sixteen, Terry began travelling on weekends with a Lay Witness Mission Team. The team held mini revivals throughout the state, giving him further opportunity to experience ministry through spoken word and song. During this period of time, Terry began teaching himself to play guitar and piano. This enabled him to take a more active roll in praise and worship services, thus creating a deeper passion for serving Christ through music. Terry continued to serve the Lord with his talents on weekends and summer breaks. He performed solo concerts and participated in various youth ministries such as Life Corps International, where he toured with the group Daystar. As his desire to follow Christ grew, so did the calling on his life. While attending High Point University, Terry took Bible classes at nearby John Wesley College. There he sang with the John Wesley College Singers, a group devoted to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ through song. The time spent at John Wesley College helped to further prepare Terry for God’s future plan in several ways. One particular summer, the Dean of Students recommended him for the position of Youth Director at a local church. Between his class schedule and his involvement with church, Terry still found the time to perform an occasional concert. It was at one of these performances that God opened a door that would change his life forever.

The "Tour"

Terry was approached by a gentleman who had been involved with a group from South Dakota known as the "Reach Out Singers". After hearing Terry sing, he encouraged him to audition for their upcoming tour. The Reach Out Singers were a group similar to Upwith People and the Continental Singers, allowing Christian musicians and vocalists the opportunity to expand their ministry both at home and abroad. Upon acceptance into the group, Terry flew to South Dakota to begin preparation for an extensive tour of the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The nine months spent with the Reach Out Singers elevated Terry’s spiritual growth and proved to be an invaluable learning experience. It was during this tour that Terry accepted God’s call into full time ministry.

After leaving the Reach Out Singers, Terry pursued a solo career. In the beginning he was determined to save the world with his enthusiasm and passion for God’s calling. The burden that Terry carried for lost souls was sometimes so overpowering that he lost sight of that original goal. It was incomprehensible to him that the altars weren’t filled to capacity with people giving their hearts to the Lord after listening to his message. Terry quickly became discouraged, doubting the decision to go into the ministry. He began to question his musical abilities wondering if he was indeed talented enough to be doing this full time. He even went as far as to wonder if his own Spiritual life was in such dismal shape, that the Lord wouldn’t be able to use him. In 1988 the seeds of doubt that Terry had allowed Satan to plant in his thoughts caused him to leave the ministry. In turn, he had not just walked away from God’s calling; he had walked away from God.

Running From God

Terry returned to school to pursue a career in business. It was during this time that his relationship with God began to falter, leaving an unquenchable void in his life. A relentless search for worldly happiness followed, which created only emptiness and despair. For the next several years he lived a rather careless and selfish existence. His search for the peace that he was once familiar with led him down a self-destructive path of dead end roads.  Terry would continue to use his once anointed talent by playing in piano bars and rock-n-roll bands, but the joy he once had was no where to be found.  There was no bottle deep enough to quench the emptiness in his heart.  Terry knew that something had to change. There was no "life flashing before my eyes" experience, that caused Terry to realize that an immediate change was necessary, as he puts it, "I just woke up, it’s as simple as that". God’s will had proved to be stronger and more enduring than the lure of earthly pleasure and gain. The change that occurred in him that day affected more than his lifestyle, it affected his heart.

The Road Back Home

In 1998, Terry rededicated his life to the Lord and to His calling. Once again, he focused his energies to the ministry using Gospel music as his vehicle. Terry re-examined his previous role in the ministry to try and figure out where he went wrong. The Lord helped him to realize that his Spiritual goals, although valid, were somewhat selfish in nature. In essence, Terry couldn’t see the forest for the trees, or in this case, the mission for the mission field. He was made to realize that people attend Gospel concerts to receive a blessing from God, and that a majority of the audience probably already knew the Lord as their personal Savior. Through this examination the Lord helped Terry to re-focus on what God’s calling was for his life. It became clear to him that it wasn’t about the music or his testimony, it was about a ministry; God’s ministry. A ministry that doesn’t just involve Terry Dooley, but a ministry that involves all believers. While the burden Terry has for lost souls remains unchanged, his passion for encouraging Christians to seek a closer and more intimate relationship with God grows stronger. Only by becoming more Christ-like, can we reach out to the lost souls in need. This realization has influenced Terry’s own personal growth. The time that Terry has spent in "growing up" has given him a closer and more meaningful walk with the Lord, and a deeper passion for seeking His will.

Bill Gaither

In 2001, Terry once again began to doubt "his calling."  He knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that he was called to serve God, but he was unsure in which direction.  God was certainly blessing Terry's concerts, and more and more ministry opportunities were coming his way, but the bookings and the audience attendance were a little less in frequency and number than what Terry thought they should be.  It was at this time that a friend called Terry to tell him about an opening in a little Gospel group called the Gaither Vocal Band.  Terry called someone at Gaither headquarters to inquire about this position, but was quickly disheartened to find out that they were receiving tons of demo tapes a day. As always, the  insecurities and low self esteem that had so often prevented him from taking "first steps" forced Terry to put the idea of auditioning aside.  

Terry was deeper in the Word than he had ever been, and it was the power of the Word that had changed his life.  One Wednesday evening after hearing a sermon on Joshua, Terry began to realize that his insecurities and low self esteem were a hindrance in God's service.  Terry knew that it was his time to be "strong and courageous" and to trust God a little more.  The next day, Terry put together a home made demo tape and sent it over night to Gaither headquarters in Alexandria, Indiana.  Approximately 24 hours later, Terry received a telephone call, "Hello Terry,  this is Bill Gaither..."  Three days later, Terry was in a studio in Nashville, Tennessee with Bill Gaither, Guy Penrod, David Phelps and Anthony Berger.  To date, Terry considers that to be one of the most exciting experiences of his life. 

“Just being asked by Mr. Gaither to come to Nashville to try out for this part, was in a way an a affirmation from the Lord that I was doing His Will.  I had honestly began to believe that music wasn't where the Lord wanted me. I had gotten so frustrated because the concert offers  weren't coming as fast as I thought they should have.  As funny as it may seem, not being select for the Gaither Vocal Band made me appreciate the simple fact that God was allowing me to minister for Him even on a small basis. Instead of being discouraged, this was the biggest encouragement ever.  Once again, God found a way to bring my calling back into focus."

Till Death Do Us Part...

September 6, 2003 was the MOST memorable day in Terry's life. He was married to his best friend Cheri. Cheri sings and plays the piano, and loves being an active part in Terry's career and ministry. Terry and Cheri both believe that this partnership was ordained by God. Their commitment to following God’s will strengthens everyday. "Always and all ways", acknowledging Him as Lord and Savior of their life. (Proverbs 3:5-6)