Tori Gay shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Tori, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Definitely integrity! Your intelligence and energy don’t define you, but your integrity plays an important role in who you are as a person.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Tori Gay, and I’m a Gospel singer/songwriter/comedienne/actress. 2025 is my 20th year in ministry, and it’s a story that points straight to God and how He’s orchestrated everything. In 2023, I quit my job to pursue ministry full-time, but less than a week later, the door to be in the cast at the Biblical Times Dinner Theater in Pigeon Forge opened, and I was there from August of that year until January 4th of this year. After that last show, I stepped back into my traveling music ministry, and that’s what I’ve done, all year. I also have two “friends” who join me for the program, unless the event only brings me in to sing. Lula Bell is the comedic relief who talks about being Southern, old, and Christian, and Visa gives a nod to Elvis, but in a different way than you might expect.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
My relationship with Jesus.
I’ve been a Christian almost as long as I’ve been alive. I grew up in church and around Christian people. I’ve never understood why, but it took me 20 years after getting saved to really start growing in my walk with the Lord. But when I did, it affected every part of my life, including how I saw myself. I began to get clarity on what my purpose in life was and what I should do to live it out. The recovery process of being a people-pleaser was a HUGE thing that changed my self-perspective. As I got a better grasp on how God saw me, I gradually cared less about how other people looked at me…it’s a wonderful kind of freedom!
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
My first response to this question is laughter! There were MULTIPLE times I almost gave up!!
Ask anybody who’s been in ministry for at least a month, lol, and they will tell you that it can be one of the hardest and most discouraging paths. You find yourself in situations that you didn’t think you’d encounter when you were just trying to spread the Gospel, but if you’ve got the call on your life, you keep going, regardless. The Lord has used so many different ways to encourage me – the right song at the right time, hearing somebody’s similar story, random words from random people, words in the Bible, and thoughts He puts directly in my mind. I’m forever grateful that He’s kept me going, because I would’ve missed out on so much! And when I look back, it just amazes me where He has allowed me to get to on this ministry journey!
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely. I value realness in people, the ones who stand on a platform and the ones who don’t. There is already too much fakeness in this world, and I have no desire to add to it. Besides, from a ministry standpoint, I want to connect with people, and most of the time, people can tell if you’re not real. There are occasions when friends come to a program, and I know that when they’re talking to someone that I don’t know, personally, the things my friends might say about me will probably align with the impression I’ve made on that audience member.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
Technically, both, lol. I’m doing what the Lord made me to do, and He’s also the one who told me to do it!
My greatest source of happiness is to use the gifts of singing, songwriting, comedy, and acting to bring a bright spot to someone’s day! My programs are always Christ-centered, but even way back in the high school drama club days, I still loved being able to get people out of their worry-filled lives for a while!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://torigay.com
- Instagram: @tori_gay_
- Facebook: @torigaymin
- Youtube: @torigayministries
- Other: TikTok – @torigaymin
My friend, Lula Bell, can be found on FB, IG, and TT – @lulabellsoc.
Image Credits
Sharon McDowell
Tom Estes
Ron Jordan
Pat Hutchings
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
