Dawn Fung catches up with Terry Phillips, singer, pastor and missionary, for Part 2 of this interview (see December 2010′s issue for Part 1). Terry is based in Singapore with his wife, Rose. They are with FCF.org.

Dawn:  Something grabbed me in the line “hanging out with “beatniks” in a coffee house outside Boston, Massachusetts, singing protest songs and reciting poetry” because I’m an ardent fan of folk music during the 60s. How did people view Jesus then, and why aren’t these (protest songs and poetry) part of the church culture today?

Terry: In one sense this culture did eventually permeate the church. I see the correlation of “protest” coffee shops and the early Jesus movement of the 70s. Jesus was seen more as a man, a deliverer from the oppression felt by the youth of the day. Remember, the 70s was characterized by “free love” and flower power. Jesus represented the ultimate Love Story. So there was a “bleed” of modern culture into the church.

The early music of the Jesus movement was some of the first crossover music from secular into Christian. The way that impacted me was to sing secular songs with Christian lyrics. Many were dead set against that intrusion but historically not much different from the Wesley brothers taking popular tunes from the pubs and adding Christian lyrics.

Dawn: Your conversion story made me laugh and moved. Moving on, how did Jesus bring you and Rose together, and how have you influenced each other in the arts?

Terry: Actually, music brought us together! I heard Rose, her older sister and another girl sing in a trio at a church camp. I was enamoured but misdirected to the wrong person. I tried to “woo” Rose’s older sister. (I was always attracted to older women.) That didn’t last too long.

Two years later I was running from the Lord’s call but somehow ended up at a Christian College. Rose’s sister was there. By this time she was engaged to a senior. Through a series of interesting circumstances I ended up rooming with him in the senior dorm. Eventually, I left the college under a cloud. Months later I surrendered to the Lord and His Call.

Rose came to visit the college several months later. Her sister asked that I “host” her for these few days. I was immediately smitten. However, she was totally uninterested. That summer we each sang a solo at the sister’s wedding. In the fall she came to the college and we began to date.

Even in the early days of our relationship we saw music as a platform for ministry. In the early years of ministry music was an integral part of our lives. The television studio was not too keen for women to be involved. We did co-host a show or two but so after a few months they only asked for me for solo guest slots. Also, the large church we served in seemed to have the same attitude. That’s why the albums were solo.

Rose developed a strong ministry and following as a worship leader in an international women’s organization. I encouraged her development and ministry. In fact, on her first visit to Indonesia she was invited to minister to minister in Jakarta for that same organization. (Today, she still provides training and vocal coaching for churches and individuals in Singapore.)

Dawn: I’m going to play a few tracks from your album you passed me. Wonderful archive in my collection. Could you share some history behind this work?

Terry: Perhaps one of the most interesting stories is about the motivation and studio work.

I really had a heart for my music to be ministry, NOT entertainment. That’s why I moved to recording. I didn’t just want to be a Christian entertainer to Christian audiences. I really had a desire for my music to make a difference.

My first studio experience started as a disaster. I wanted it to be musically perfect and I came across and cold and formal. My producer was a true southern gentleman. He brought me into the control room and talked about why I wanted to make this album. After hearing my heart he suggested we cut the studio lights and had me imagine a specific individual I wanted to minister to with each song. EVERYTHING changed. Suddenly, I was full of emotion and sang from a different place. Since the release of the albums years ago I have had dozens of people share how they were touched by specific songs.

One interesting story, a number of years ago a Lady in Indonesia was given one of my cassettes (antique already). She played for her husband and a particular song ministered to a need in his life at that moment. A few years later, I was invited to do a series of meetings on the island Sumbawa in Indonesia. We were amazed how easily the doors opened and opportunities were available, including a special visit with the Governor and his wife. (They happened to be the aforementioned couple.)

You can contact Terry at coach.terry.phillips@gmail.com

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