ZOEgirl’s Alisa Childers Calls ‘Testify to Love’ Controversy a ‘Wake-Up Call’ for Christian Artists

Alisa Childers, founding member of the Christian pop group ZOEgirl, is weighing in on the growing controversy surrounding the rerelease of Avalon's iconic hit "Testify to Love," describing the situation as a significant "wake-up call" for Christian artists and songwriters.

Speaking on a recent episode of her podcast alongside author Anne Kennedy, Childers reflected on her personal connection to Avalon and the song, which dominated Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) radio during the late 1990s. Childers toured extensively with Avalon during the height of the song's popularity and developed close friendships with several members of the group.

"Testify to Love was the biggest song in Christian music at the time," Childers recalled. "I was on tour with Avalon while it was everywhere. I knew and loved the people in that group."

The discussion comes after former Avalon member Michael Passons, alongside former Avalon vocalist Melissa Greene and country artist Ty Herndon, released a new version of the song that has been embraced by many within the LGBTQ community. The rerelease has sparked widespread debate across Christian music circles regarding the interpretation and legacy of one of CCM's most beloved anthems.

Childers acknowledged the personal difficulty of commenting on the issue because of her longstanding friendships with both Passons and Greene. "Michael and Melissa are lovely people, and I love them," she said. "That makes conversations like this very hard."

During the podcast, Childers reflected on Greene's spiritual journey, noting that she had witnessed her move from a more traditional Christian framework toward progressive theological perspectives. Greene has publicly written about leaving the institutional church and is currently working on a memoir titled Testify to Love: Why I Left the Church and Keep Choosing Curiosity Over Fear.

For Childers, however, the controversy raises larger questions about the relationship between Christian artists, theology, and the songs they create. She pointed to comments made by one of the song's writers suggesting that the rerelease may reflect the meaning he always intended the song to convey. Such developments, she argued, should encourage Christian artists to think carefully about the theological foundations of their work and the ways songs can be interpreted long after their release.

Childers suggested that the debate surrounding "Testify to Love" illustrates how songs can take on new meanings as cultural and theological perspectives shift over time. While expressing affection for those involved, she emphasized the importance of grounding Christian music in clear biblical convictions.

The discussion has become one of the most talked-about conversations in Christian music this year, highlighting ongoing tensions within the CCM industry regarding theology, sexuality, and the enduring influence of songs that have shaped generations of worshippers.

As the conversation continues, Childers believes the controversy serves as an important reminder that Christian artists are not merely creating music for a moment but contributing to a theological legacy that can be interpreted and reinterpreted for decades to come.