Michael Passons, a founding member of the legendary Christian group Avalon and one of the voices behind the iconic hit "Testify to Love," is sharing his story with unprecedented honesty-and the response has been extraordinary.
Appearing on Lauren Lanzaretta's You Can Be Both Podcast, Passons reflected on his journey from Christian music stardom to being forced out of one of the genre's most successful groups after his sexuality became known. More than two decades later, however, he finds himself back in the spotlight as a newly reimagined version of "Testify to Love" is reaching listeners around the world and sparking conversations about faith, authenticity, and inclusion.
Passons was part of Avalon's original lineup when the group launched in 1995. The quartet quickly became one of the biggest acts in contemporary Christian music, propelled by hits including "Testify to Love," a song that would become synonymous with the group's legacy. During the podcast interview, Passons recalled the whirlwind success that followed, explaining that Avalon's schedule was packed with tours, recordings, radio appearances, and television performances.
Yet behind the success was a personal struggle. Raised in a conservative Baptist environment in rural Mississippi, Passons said he wrestled for years with his sexuality while pursuing a career in Christian music. He described praying for change, undergoing conversion therapy in the early 1990s, and attempting to reconcile his faith with his identity.
According to Passons, tensions escalated after industry leaders became aware of rumors regarding his sexuality. He said he was eventually required to attend conversion therapy as a condition for remaining in Avalon. After declining to continue with the process, he was temporarily removed from touring before later returning to the group. The situation ultimately came to a head in 2003 when he was informed by fellow members that he was no longer part of Avalon.
"It was devastating," Passons said, describing the loss of his career, community, and support network. He explained that Christian music had been his life, and leaving Avalon meant losing not only his job but also the world he had built around it.
Despite the pain of that chapter, Passons now views the experience through a different lens. He believes the setbacks eventually positioned him for a new purpose-one that has emerged through the unexpected resurgence of "Testify to Love."
The catalyst came when Passons performed the song at country artist Ty Herndon's annual Love and Acceptance event in Nashville. The performance resonated deeply with attendees, prompting discussions about re-recording the classic. Herndon, an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ inclusion, later invited Passons to revisit the song as a duet.
The resulting version features Passons, Herndon, and former Avalon member Melissa Greene. Rather than simply recreating the original, the artists intentionally framed the song as a message of affirmation and belonging for LGBTQ listeners and others who have felt excluded from faith communities.
Passons admitted he never anticipated the response. What began as a passion project quickly gained momentum online, with listeners sharing personal stories about how the song impacted their lives. Many described reconnecting with a piece of Christian music that had once been meaningful to them but had become complicated because of painful church experiences.
The singer said he has spent recent weeks reading messages from fans who found comfort, healing, and renewed hope through the song. Some recounted difficult experiences involving church rejection, while others shared stories of personal struggle and resilience. Passons said those testimonies have been among the most meaningful aspects of the project.
The revival of "Testify to Love" has also reunited Passons with people from his past. One particularly significant relationship is with Melissa Greene, who joined Avalon shortly before his departure from the group. While their paths diverged for many years, Passons said they eventually reconnected and today count each other among their closest friends.
Throughout the interview, Passons repeatedly emphasized themes of authenticity, compassion, and love. While acknowledging ongoing disagreements within the broader Christian community, he expressed hope that conversations can move beyond division and toward greater understanding.
For Passons, the song's renewed popularity represents more than a chart achievement. It symbolizes a second chance-an opportunity to revisit a defining piece of his musical legacy while embracing the person he has become.
More than 20 years after losing the platform that made him famous, Michael Passons is once again singing the song that helped define an era of Christian music. This time, however, he says he is singing it without fear.
And for countless listeners rediscovering "Testify to Love," that may be the most powerful testimony of all.
Related Article:
Original 'Testify to Love' Songwriters Say Hit Christian Anthem Was Always About Inclusivity
