In a powerful, on-stage moment in Jully of 2023, country music singer Baily Zimmerman, an up-and-coming star in the industry, spoke out about his Christian faith to the audience, describing how he sees God as having helped him in his career and quoting from Scripture while doing so. The video of his faith-filled speech to the crowd quickly took off on social media.
Zimmerman’s faith speech came when he, then 23-years-old, was opening for country music powerhouse Morgan Wallen during a concert in Detroit around the beginning of July. As the audience cheered, he described how anything is possible through God, something evidenced by his own meteoric rise.
He said, quoting the Gospel, “Mark 23:9 says, ‘Anything is possible for him who believes,’ and let me tell you why you should believe in that. Two years ago I started writing songs in my grandpa’s shop, and now we out here on the One Night At A Time World Tour with Morgan Wallen.”
Posting about his amazing speech on X, podcast host Graham Allen said, “This is incredible!!! Bailey Zimmerman EXPRESSED his faith TO OUR LORD AND SAVIOR during a concert filled with THOUSANDS of people. GOD IS SO GOOD!!! SEEK HIM!!!”
Agreeing, commenters said things like, “Thank you for using your platform to praise God!! I am elated♥️,” GOD IS THE GREATEST☝🏼 We make him proud Bro 🤜🏼🤛🏼,” “Never heard of this kid, but thankful he is using his platform to spread the love of Jesus!” and “I am so proud of him! For his Faith and music! God bless you, Bailey! I am also a new fan! Hugs Be well and safe.”
Another commenter expressed doubt, however, writing, “NEED MORE! Quoting 1 Bible verse likely out of context, does not make a Christian.Neither are real Christians rock stars!..Matt 7:21 ‘Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.’”
Watch him here:
In 2022, the year before the powerful Detroit speech, Zimmerman released his hit single “Rock and a Hard Place.” It took off, turning him from an aspiring singer into an up-and-comer, even reaching the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. Then, in 2023, he released an album, Religiously. It featured songs about Christianity and his relationship with God.
Speaking about the headspace he was in when writing the “Religiously” album, he said, “It’s back when I was really sad every day and crying every day. That’s why there’s tears on the album cover. Because honestly, when I went through what I went through, I was crying a bunch because I couldn’t believe how much love I gave, and then that happened in return. And that may not be the thing to say, but I did. I remember crying a lot. That’s crazy how somebody you thought really loved you can turn like that and do something so whack.”
Featured image credit: screengrab from the embedded video