By Michaela Gordoni
Zach Williams has a compelling new theme for his new album — it’s all about the love of God and not caring what the world thinks.
His album, Jesus Loves, will come out on Sept. 19. It features 12 tracks, including one called “Friend in High Places” about his testimony, Crosswalk reported on Sept. 5.
Williams has worked on this album for over two years, he said last Wednesday.
He entered the Christian music scene nine years ago with his album and song, “Chain breaker.”
“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.
Related: Zach Williams Says Life Is ‘So Much Better’ After Reconnecting With His Faith
He hopes he attracts listeners who like his style of rock, country and bluegrass that isn’t like mainstream worship and says God’s love and the gospel is for every person. “No matter what you’ve done in your life, no matter where you’ve been, what you’re going through,” he said.
One of his new tracks, “Hate,” written by Jonathon Smith and Casey Beathard, talks about being “hated” for being a Christian.
“Being loved by the world is overrated — I think I’d rather be hated for lovin’ You,” some of the lyrics read.
“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.'”
“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 said. He referenced John 15:18, where Jesus says, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.”
He said people have turned away from him when Jesus changed his life, but that’s okay.
“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 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.”
The artist will take his new tracks on tour starting Oct. 1 with Leanna Crawford, Ben Fuller and We The Kingdom.
Williams shared at a concert in Canada this month: “When you get to hear that God is using a song in the way that you hoped when you wrote it, that’s better than any award you can get.”
His new album is sure to do just that.
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