"With the gifts you bestowed upon me, Lord, I return them to you with gratitude."
Terris J. Gamble hails from Salters, South Carolina, and is the son of Mack Gamble Sr. and Jaqulyn Bennett-Gamble. He is also the brother of Subrena Gamble-Bull and Lance Gamble. From a young age, Terris was inspired and shaped by his father, who performed with the quartet group "The Mighty Jubilees." Terris began his ministry alongside his father and started directing choirs at the age of twelve. He had the honor of directing the St. Mary A.M.E. Church Youth Choir, the St. Mary A.M.E. Church Mass Choir, and the Williamsburg Economical Mass Chorale.
While in high school, Terris was elected president of the concert choir. After completing his education at C. E. Murray High School in Greeleyville, SC, in 1991, he enrolled at Benedict College in Columbia, SC. In 1994, he received a divine vision to establish a community group, leading to the formation of Terris Gamble and the New Inspirational Mass Choir, which ministered for over 26 years. Terris began attending Zion Mill Creek Baptist Church in Columbia, SC, under the guidance of Bishop Wendell B. Sumter, where he was appointed as the director of the Mass Choir. During his time at Benedict College, he served as the assistant director of the gospel choir under Mr. Larry Postley and Mr. Darryl Jones. Additionally, Terris received vocal and directing training at Benedict College from Dr. Linda Kershaw and was a dedicated member of the Concert Choir.
After graduating from college, Terris joined the U.S. Navy, which stationed him in Portsmouth, VA, in January 1998. In 2001, he earned the nickname "TJ" during his service. While aboard the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) in 2001, he was appointed as the Director of the "Big E" Gospel Choir, performing concerts both locally and internationally. The choir made an appearance on the ABC Network's Good Morning America in 2001. Throughout his 13 years of military service, Terris had the privilege of singing the National Anthem at numerous commissioning and retirement ceremonies for military officers.
In 2002, Terris joined Galilee Baptist Church in Newport News, VA, under the leadership of Pastor James Jones. There, he took on the role of director for the church's Inspirational Choir. In September 2004, he was blessed to lead his inaugural Virginia community choir, The Fellowship of Hampton Roads. This experience culminated in the establishment of The Living Testimony Community Singers in July 2007, which now ministers throughout the Hampton Roads area and beyond.
In 2007, Terris felt called to join Gethsemane Community Fellowship Baptist Church, where the esteemed Kirk T. Houston, Sr. serves as pastor. He had the honor of directing the Mass Choir and Men’s Chorus for four years.
Currently, Terris is involved in worship leadership with the Miracle of Faith Baptist Church in Portsmouth, VA, serving as the assistant overseer of the Praise Team under Pastor Antonio Bishop, Sr. in Musical Ministry since 2015.
Throughout his music ministry, Terris has collaborated with renowned Gospel Music figures such as Ricky Dillard, Pastor Kervy Brown, Rev. Darryl Coley, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Pastor John P. Kee, Clifton Davis, Jester Hairston from the Amen Television Series, Kevin Lemons & Higher Calling, Malcolm Williams, Ron Bigelow & the Interdenominational Mass Choir, Eric Waddell & The Abundant Life Singers, Patrick Riddick & D’Vyne Worship, Trevonne Perry & Divine Purpose, Victor Thompson, Lejuene Thompson, Joshua Rogers, and Donald Lawrence, as well as the South Eastern GMWA Chapter and Earl Bynum, among others in the Hampton Roads Alliance of Gospel Music Professionals.
Terris earned a BS in Social Work and a BA in Religion. He is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Theology at Saint Leo University. December 2026 marked 39 years of ministry for this singer and director, and he believes the best is yet to come. Terris eagerly anticipates many more years of musical ministry.
His favorite scripture is: “O LORD YOU ARE MY GOD; I WILL EXALT YOU AND PRAISE YOUR NAME, FOR IN PERFECT FAITHFULNESS YOU HAVE DONE MARVELOUS THINGS, THINGS PLANNED LONG AGO.” — Isaiah 25:1
