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10 Questions with ... Moriah Peters
July 14, 2014
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Discography:
- 2012 I Choose Jesus
- 2014 Brave
1. Brief history/synopsis
I was born in Pomona, California and spent most of my childhood in Ontario and Chino, CA. I was home schooled until third grade with my older sister and little brother, I think my parents were trying to protect us from the "hood." (; I used to be a math tutor and guitar teacher - Algebra is my favorite! I now live in Nashville, TN but I'm in denial about it...I really miss the beach.
2. What does a normal day at home look like for you?
It's 7:45 AM and I wake up to my old school alarm clock (I try to "unplug" properly by keeping my iPhone in a separate room at night) and head straight to brush my teeth - that wakes me up more than anything else. My sweet husband cooks eggs, turkey bacon and english muffins with Vegemite (Aussie spread) while I boil tea. We read "Devotions For A Sacred Marriage" and pray together and we say our goodbyes as he goes into the studio while I head to my label for meetings and spend the day preparing for upcoming shows. After spending a few hours on the computer doing social media, emails and homework, I meet up with my husband and brothers-in-law for an ultimate frisbee match. My team wins. We head home and I do my best to act confidently in the kitchen. Dinner is average at best but Joel eats and smiles anyways. I clean up because that's what I'm really good at. We wind up our old school clocks and try to get more than 7 hours of sleep!
3. What's the song that you just can't get out of your head right now?
"O" by Coldplay. We just took a 20 hour round-trip drive to St. Augustine, FL and had their new album on repeat the whole time. There was this serendipitous moment when I peered out the car window as we passed a placid lake with birds flying overhead at sundown and Chris Martin sang, "Fly on, ride through. Maybe one day I'll fly next to you." My heart was so full.
4. How much do you travel, what are the challenges? How do you juggle life on the road with wanting to be home?
Between July and December of 2015, my female band and I will only have around 30 days at home. It's can be a very emotional thing, you end up living out of a suitcase and feeling a bit like a nomad. But that's why we cherish one another. Every day, we have fun pranking one another and having adventures in new cities. Every night, we believe in what we're singing about and make it our mission to love and connect with audiences.
5. What's the biggest "God moment" that you've ever experienced, personal or professional?
I was so afraid of love. I cherished my purity at best and let it define me at worst. After dating Joel for 3 years, God finally gave me the guts to say the words, "I love you." We were standing at the edge of a cliff on the coast of San Diego and a flock of birds flew over the ocean. I knew God was telling me, "Don't be afraid. My love is as infinite as these waters. That's the same love you have to give to others." On our wedding day, we said our vows on a cliff in southern California. As the song "Amazing Grace" played in the background, a familiar flock of birds flew over the ocean. That's remained a beautiful reminder that God has this infinite love for me so I can constantly love others.
6. What's the last book you read?
"A Voice In The Wind" by Francine Rivers was a recent one that really challenged me. The main character Hadassah is a young Jewess who stands up for her faith and is consequently sent to the Roman arena as a martyr. If you look at my album packaging or merchandise, you'll see a lioness silhouette. It was inspired by the last chapter of this book, when Hadassah faces her fears and sings songs of praise just before hungry lions are released on her. Sorry for the morbid picture but that was the reality many early Christians were faced with...and that's what moves me.
7. How & when did you become a believer. What caused you to want to serve God in full time ministry?
I experienced and understood the Spiritual aspects of God in my early teens but in high school, I realized my faith was built on fleeting emotions. I grew doubtful because I couldn't comprehend Him. That's what I was experiencing during the writing of my first record - it was all about making a choice to follow and seek God even if it didn't make sense to me all at once. I never dreamt I'd be doing what I am doing now but I've always wanted to tell people about Christ's love for them. An ex-gang member approached me after church when I was 14 with tears in his eyes and said, "That song you sang, it really touched my heart." I realized in that moment that music was how I could accomplish the ultimate goal of sharing Jesus' love.
8. Tell us about your latest project, BRAVE. What's the story behind the current single, "You Carry Me"?
I retreated to a cabin in the mountains near my hometown in California for a few days to pray about what God wanted me to say with my sophomore album. After 3 days of silence, just hours before leaving, God gave me one word..."BRAVE." Since then, I've been exploring what that word means in my life and what scripture says about it. Every song on the record approaches the themes of fear, boldness, strength and bravery in its own unique way. I've struggled with anxiety for as long as I can remember so writing this record was a very vulnerable way for me to face that issue in my life head on. "You Carry Me" celebrates those moments where I was able to overcome my fears as God held my hand the whole way through. He never leaves us which is why he asks us to "never fear!"
9. What organization/service group are you affiliated with?
I'm a supporter of my church here in Franklin, TN. We impact the lives of people both within and without the congregation. Over a year ago, a girl in my "Village" (a small group of members from the church) shared that she didn't have a job or a car. 3 days later, my church gave her a car and a job. That's amazing but that's what churches are supposed to do. I love my church. My sister and I are also working on our own philanthropic business. Stay tuned (:
10. Person you'd most like to have a discussion with, living or dead.....Deities are excused from this question
Haha, I like the specification. I'd love to talk to a young woman who lived in the Roman era named, Perpetua. She was the same age as me when she was martyred for her faith.
Bonus Questions
1. Favorite Bible Verse....life verse?
I recite Josh. 1:9 probably twelve times a day because I'm so scared so often.
2. Funniest or most embarrassing moment on the road?
Mike Donehey from Tenth Avenue North came out and told an audience to refrain from clapping for or with me when I came out to sing. I finished my first song and they were dead silent. Thankfully, I caught on pretty quickly and yelled into the mic, "This is the worst prank ever!" and stormed off the stage. The crowd and I burst into laughter and they became the noisiest bunch of people I'd ever played for!
3. What artist or pastor has had the greatest impact on you?
Joyce Meyer. I call her Momma Joyce and pretend like I know her, but that's just because I feel like she knows me. All of her devotionals and books have helped me overcome the fear and stress that I try to fight every day. Thanks, Momma Joyce.
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