What if the most important part of worship happens long before Sunday morning?

In Episode 178 of The Walk: Faith in the Real World, Bella Taylor Smith shares her remarkable journey from a teenager with no church background to becoming one of Christian music's most compelling voices.

After winning The Voice Australia in 2021, Bella's life changed dramatically. What began as a simple prompting from the Holy Spirit during the COVID lockdowns eventually led her from Sydney, Australia, to Nashville, Tennessee, where she now records music, leads worship, and serves the global Church through her songs. But behind the success story is a much deeper testimony of God's faithfulness.

Bella opens up about coming to faith at age fifteen after a year of attending youth group, the worship moment that changed her life forever, and the people who faithfully showed her Jesus before she was ready to fully surrender her life to Him. She also shares why private devotion fuels public ministry, how worship extends far beyond music, and what she's learning about obedience, surrender, and the fruit of the Spirit in this season.

The conversation also explores her new EP, for the home, a companion project to FOR THE HOUSE, designed to help believers encounter God in everyday moments—from devotional time to family life and everything in between.

Whether you're a worship leader, songwriter, creative, or simply someone who wants a deeper relationship with Jesus, this episode offers practical encouragement for cultivating a faith that lasts.

Guest Bio

Bella Taylor Smith first rose to prominence after winning The Voice Australia in 2021. Since then, she has amassed more than 50 million career streams and performed alongside artists including Chris Tomlin, Jeremy Camp, Darlene Zschech, Pentatonix, and Benjamin William Hastings. Originally from Sydney, Australia, Bella began her musical journey as a worship leader at Hillsong Church. She now lives in Franklin, Tennessee, with her husband and producer Josh Cole and continues to write music that serves both the Church and individual believers through worship and discipleship.

Episode Highlights

• How a simple invitation to youth group changed Bella's life

• The worship moment that led her to surrender her life to Christ

• Why private devotion fuels public ministry

• What winning The Voice Australia taught her about obedience

• The story behind her move from Australia to Nashville

• Why worship is more than music

• The heart behind her new EP, for the home

• What it means to live from the overflow of your relationship with God

Pull Quote

"We can't invite people somewhere we've never been ourselves."

Sponsor

This episode is brought to you by Planning Center: the all-in-one software that helps churches schedule volunteers, plan services, and stay organized. Try it today at https://www.planningcenter.com/?utm_source=wlm&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=thewalk

What if the most important part of worship happens long before Sunday morning?
In Episode 178 of The Walk: Faith in the Real World, Bella Taylor Smith shares her remarkable journey from a teenager with no church background to becoming one of Christian music's most compelling voices.
After winning The Voice Australia in 2021, Bella's life changed dramatically. What began as a simple prompting from the Holy Spirit during the COVID lockdowns eventually led her from Sydney, Australia, to Nashville, Tennessee, where she now records music, leads worship, and serves the global Church through her songs. But behind the success story is a much deeper testimony of God's faithfulness.
Bella opens up about coming to faith at age fifteen after a year of attending youth group, the worship moment that changed her life forever, and the people who faithfully showed her Jesus before she was ready to fully surrender her life to Him. She also shares why private devotion fuels public ministry, how worship extends far beyond music, and what she's learning about obedience, surrender, and the fruit of the Spirit in this season.
The conversation also explores her new EP, for the home, a companion project to FOR THE HOUSE, designed to help believers encounter God in everyday moments&mdash;from devotional time to family life and everything in between.
Whether you're a worship leader, songwriter, creative, or simply someone who wants a deeper relationship with Jesus, this episode offers practical encouragement for cultivating a faith that lasts.
Guest Bio
Bella Taylor Smith first rose to prominence after winning The Voice Australia in 2021. Since then, she has amassed more than 50 million career streams and performed alongside artists including Chris Tomlin, Jeremy Camp, Darlene Zschech, Pentatonix, and Benjamin William Hastings. Originally from Sydney, Australia, Bella began her musical journey as a worship leader at Hillsong Church. She now lives in Franklin, Tennessee, with her husband and producer Josh Cole and continues to write music that serves both the Church and individual believers through worship and discipleship.
Episode Highlights
&bull; How a simple invitation to youth group changed Bella's life
&bull; The worship moment that led her to surrender her life to Christ
&bull; Why private devotion fuels public ministry
&bull; What winning The Voice Australia taught her about obedience
&bull; The story behind her move from Australia to Nashville
&bull; Why worship is more than music
&bull; The heart behind her new EP, for the home
&bull; What it means to live from the overflow of your relationship with God
Pull Quote
"We can't invite people somewhere we've never been ourselves."
Sponsor
This episode is brought to you by Planning Center: the all-in-one software that helps churches schedule volunteers, plan services, and stay organized. Try it today at <a href="https://www.planningcenter.com/?utm_source=wlm&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=thewalk">https://www.planningcenter.com/?utm_source=wlm&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=thewalk</a>

Part of the Worship Leader Magazine Podcast Network, The Walk is a weekly devotional podcast where faith meets story in powerful, personal ways.

Each episode features a first-person devotional from a worship leader, pastor, artist, or creative—believers who don’t just lead worship, but live it. These aren’t interviews; they’re heartfelt testimonies about walking with God in the highs and lows, the mundane and miraculous.

Produced by Worship Leader Magazine, a trusted resource in worship ministry for over 30 years, The Walk equips and encourages worshipers to cultivate a lifestyle of Spirit-led worship beyond the platform.

Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just beginning your journey, these stories will help you walk closer with Jesus.

Explore every episode:worshipleader.com/podcasts

Part of the Worship Leader Magazine Podcast Network, The Walk is a weekly devotional podcast where faith meets story in powerful, personal ways.
Each episode features a first-person devotional from a worship leader, pastor, artist, or creative&mdash;believers who don&rsquo;t just lead worship, but live it. These aren&rsquo;t interviews; they&rsquo;re heartfelt testimonies about walking with God in the highs and lows, the mundane and miraculous.
Produced by Worship Leader Magazine, a trusted resource in worship ministry for over 30 years, The Walk equips and encourages worshipers to cultivate a lifestyle of Spirit-led worship beyond the platform.
Whether you&rsquo;re a seasoned leader or just beginning your journey, these stories will help you walk closer with Jesus.
Explore every episode: <a href="https://worshipleader.com/podcasts/" data-start="1072" data-end="1137">worshipleader.com/podcasts</a>

Worship Leaders are more than just musicians and performers. These leaders and creatives walk with God daily and can bring a good word to the Body of Christ.

The Walk: A Devotional Podcast from Worship Leader Magazine

The Walk Podcast shares real conversations with worshippers—moments when faith was tested, obedience cost something, and God showed up.

You’ll hear the struggle.
You’ll hear the choice.
You’ll hear what God did.

Because faith isn’t just a moment—it’s a walk. And you don’t have to walk it alone.

Hosted by Bay Turner
Part of the Worship Leader Magazine Podcast Network

Explore every episode: worshipleader.com/podcasts
Learn more: worshipleader.com/podcast/the-walk
Subscribe on your favorite platform: pod.link/1631583177

The Walk Podcast shares real conversations with worshippers&mdash;moments when faith was tested, obedience cost something, and God showed up.
You&rsquo;ll hear the struggle. You&rsquo;ll hear the choice. You&rsquo;ll hear what God did.
Because faith isn&rsquo;t just a moment&mdash;it&rsquo;s a walk. And you don&rsquo;t have to walk it alone.
Hosted by <a href="https://www.bayturner.com/">Bay Turner</a> Part of the <a href="https://worshipleader.com/podcasts/">Worship Leader Magazine Podcast Network</a>
Explore every episode: <a href="https://www.worshipleader.com/podcasts" data-start="773" data-end="841">worshipleader.com/podcasts</a> Learn more: <a href="https://worshipleader.com/podcast/the-walk" data-start="856" data-end="936">worshipleader.com/podcast/the-walk</a> Subscribe on your favorite platform: <a href="https://pod.link/1631583177" data-start="976" data-end="1026">pod.link/1631583177</a>

The Walk Podcast: Faith in the Real World

Bella Taylor Smith: You Can't Lead People Where You've Never Been

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/e0c988aa-ac4b-4e9b-bf34-b465012c05e7/transcript