Zach Williams Says ‘People Are Gonna Hate You for Loving God’ But That’s OK
Michael Foust
Audio By Carbonatix
By Michael Foust, Crosswalk.com
It's been three years since Zach Williams released his last album, and he says he has much to share with fans about what has been on his heart regarding the love of Christ.
Jesus Loves will release Sept. 19, offering fans 12 new tracks, including the title song -- a personal reminder that the gospel is for the "renegades, the rebels and the runaways" -- and another popular one, Friend in High Places, a gospel-centric tune that testifies to the Savior who redeemed a "twisted, broken" man.
Next year will mark the 10-year anniversary of Williams' entry into Christian music with his breakout song and album, Chain Breaker. (He says he's still surprised it went viral.) He began his music career in mainstream rock.
"Every time I go out and play, I hear stories [from fans] -- and they just all remind me of myself 10 years ago," Williams told Crosswalk Headlines.
Williams hopes his new album and his music in general appeals to listeners beyond the church -- those drawn to his unique mix of country, rock and bluegrass, and who are looking for a grittier sound that doesn't fit neatly into the worship mold. The Good News is for everyone -- "no matter what you've done in your life, no matter where you've been, what you're going through," he said.
Jesus Loves is one of his most personal albums yet -- both an outreach to the lost and a reminder to the church of what the gospel truly is. That latter theme is perhaps best summarized on the track Hate, which declares in the chorus, "Being loved by the world is overrated -- I think I'd rather be hated for lovin' You." Keeping God's commands, it says, isn't popular. Casey Beathard and Jonathan Smith wrote it.
"And as soon as I heard it, I was floored. And I was like, 'Dude, please -- I want to record that song.' And they were kind of like, 'Well, that's what we were hoping for.'"
The song "hit me in the gut," Williams said.
"Man, so many of us can relate to that -- trying to please the world, and straddling the fence, basically. … People are gonna hate you for loving God."
Williams cited John 15:18, in which Jesus said, "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first."
"You may have friends in your life that turn from you whenever you change your life," Williams said. "And I saw that happen. I've seen it happen -- there's those people that, you know, they don't get it, and that's fine.
"I don't want to try to please the world," Williams said. "... I would rather be hated by everybody, for the love that I have for Jesus, because He's changed my life. He's given me everything that I have."
The album, he said, is an "invitation for the misfits, the church kids, and the prodigals and is a reminder that no matter your story, you're already loved."
"You don't have to be anything for Him to love you," he said. "He's already -- it's done. And so I think that's the message of the songs on this record."
Williams is going out on tour Oct. 1 alongside We The Kingdom, Ben Fuller, and Leanna Crawford.
Photo Credit: ©Essential Records
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.
