Zach Williams Declares Faith Over Fame with Bold New Album Jesus Loves

Zach Williams is stepping back into the spotlight with a powerful message: it’s better to be hated for loving God than praised by the world. After three years without a full-length release, the Grammy-winning artist will drop his highly anticipated album Jesus Loves on September 19. The record offers 12 new tracks, including the title song—a gritty anthem proclaiming that Christ’s love is for “renegades, rebels, and runaways”—and Friend in High Places, a gospel-driven testimony of redemption. With raw honesty and a blend of country, rock, and bluegrass influences, Williams’ latest project refuses to sugarcoat truth, instead pointing listeners to the Savior who already loves them.

Marking a decade since his breakout hit Chain Breaker, Williams reflected on how fan stories continually remind him of his own past. “Every time I go out and play, I hear stories from fans—and they just all remind me of myself 10 years ago,” he shared in an interview with Crosswalk Headlines. Once a mainstream rock artist, Williams has built his Christian music career on authenticity, vulnerability, and songs that reach people inside and outside the church walls. His hope is that Jesus Loves will resonate not only with churchgoers but also with seekers who are searching for something real in a world of empty promises.

One of the album’s most striking tracks, Hate, cuts to the heart of Williams’ mission. Written by Casey Beathard and Jonathan Smith, the song proclaims in its chorus, “Being loved by the world is overrated—I think I’d rather be hated for lovin’ You.” For Williams, the message is simple but urgent: following God’s commands isn’t popular, but it’s worth everything. With Jesus Loves, he extends an invitation to the broken, the searching, and the faithful alike—reminding them that no matter their past, God’s love is constant, transformative, and always enough.