Rescue Story: Faith, Freedom, and Finding My Way Home

by Robert Noland

From a hard-rocking life fueled by substance abuse to a hope-filled life of freedom and joy--this is music star Zach Williams's bold and vulnerable story of faith and redemption.

Before two-time GRAMMY Award winner Zach Williams penned heartfelt, faith-filled ballads like "Chain Breaker," "There Was Jesus (featuring Dolly Parton)," and "Fear Is a Liar," there was darkness. A rock-and-roll singer who thought he had all he ever wanted to make him happy, Zach instead felt empty. The drugs, alcohol, and late-night gigs played around the world couldn't satisfy the longing in his heart for a place to belong. He was desperate for change.

It came while on tour in Spain with his band, and in this powerful and poignant memoir, Zach shares in vivid detail his personal Rescue Story. He reflects on his childhood and the prophecy that kept his parents from giving up hope, his descent into the substance abuse that held him captive for so long, and ultimately the rescue he didn't think was possible but embraced with open arms.

A compelling, honest story of God's unconditional love, grace, and redemption, Rescue Story shares the intimate journey of a beloved music artist and challenges you to seek resilient hope in the trials of your own life--because Jesus offers real freedom and joy, despite the mistakes of your past.

Genres: Christian, Biography, Nonfiction, Memoir, Audiobook, Faith, Autobiography

235 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 27, 2024

Reviews

[Addi Newby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christian books aren’t always my thing to read. This book kept me entertained and didn’t leave anything out of the story because of embarrassment, it was all there. He was sharing his story so that the people could understand to be a Christian doesn’t mean that you’re perfect or that you go to a church every Sunday morning and night, but it means that you know God as your personal savior and understand that your going to make mistakes no matter how hard you try not to and it may be a big mistake but it may also be a little mistake. This book is perfect for anyone Christian or not.

[Mary Jackson _TheMaryReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't even know how to write this review. This is going to be eye opening for so many people. It will make people stop and think as well as change lives.
I am so happy that I read it.

[Cathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zach’s testimony is beautiful and inspiring. His songs have helped in my healing. I didn’t know much about his past, but I found him relatable. God is so faithful!

[LAMONT D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first saw Zach Williams in concert and when he sang the song "Fear Is A Liar" I thought that was and still is one of the best songs I have ever heard. But I did not know of his story until he won the K-Love Fan Awards book of the year in 2024. What an amazing story of parents that never stopped praying and believing and of God's immeasurable grace pursuing His child to do His work through Zach and his wife's testimony and his songwriting/music. Should be read by anybody that knows of a person that is struggling with addiction and/or finding God's purpose in their life.

[Jennifer Fluegge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t resist a story of the amazing grace of God in the lives of people, and this one did not disappoint. Thankful that God is still at work today drawing men to Himself!

Listened to on Libby thanks to my local public library.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the things I like about this book is how it sheds light on personal issues and not so much on traumas in childhood. Zach shared how a lot of his baggage was from within and not necessarily from family dysfunction. He shares a lot of wisdom and I love how his wife talks about the incidents from her point of view.

[Tammy Hendren · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a prodigal, if you love a prodigal, or if you are trying to find your way to God, this is the book for you.
I love Zach’s music but hearing the story behind the words makes me love them more

God can use any of us best when we remain in the mysterious balance of living out at our healing while remembering our brokenness
Zach Williams

[Sonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very honest story of Zach Williams' personal life journey from what is vividly described as a chaotic lifestyle to a faith led resuce, this is certainly a powerful testimony of the saving grace of God and Jesus Christ in Zach and Crystal's lives. Together with the voices of those accompanying Zach's journey, especially his wife's Crystal makes the story feel even more real and interesting, I particularly enjoyed learning different viewpoints of a situation they experienced, their story encourages on different levels and strongly reassures that struggles can be overcome with God and that his grace is immense. A testimonial story of hope that truly inspires.

[Brian Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always liked Zach Williams’ music, but now it will hit different knowing where it came from. This is the powerful and inspirational testimony of Zach Williams that I had no idea about. Few had, as it was stuff he had kept to family and close friends until recently. Amazing! The prodigal son comes back home at age 33.

I still remember where I was the first time I heard his song There Was Jesus.

Every time I tried to make it on my own
Every time I tried to stand and start to fall
And all those lonely roads that I have travelled on
There was Jesus

When the life I built came crashing to the ground
When the friends I had were nowhere to be found
I couldn't see it then but I can see it now
There was Jesus

In the waiting, in the searching
In the healing and the hurting
Like a blessing buried in the broken pieces
Every minute, every moment
Where I've been and where I'm going
Even when I didn't know it or couldn't see it
There was Jesus

For this man who needs amazing kind of grace (mm)
For forgiveness at a price I couldn't pay (mm)
I'm not perfect so I thank God every day
There was Jesus (there was Jesus)

In the waiting, in the searching
In the healing and the hurting
Like a blessing buried in the broken pieces
Every minute, every moment
Where I've been and where I'm going
Even when I didn't know it or couldn't see it
There was Jesus

On the mountain, in the valleys (there was Jesus)
In the shadows of the alleys (there was Jesus)
In the fire, in the flood (there was Jesus)
Always is and always was
No, I never walk alone (never walk alone)
You are always there

In the waiting, in the searching
In the healing and the hurting
Like a blessing buried in the broken pieces
Every minute (Every minute), every moment (every moment)
Where I've been and where I'm going
Even when I didn't know it or couldn't see it
There was Jesus

There was Jesus
There was Jesus
There was Jesus

[Jill Hurt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I loved this book. I have seen Zach Williams in concert a couple of times and his story is so amazing and to hear the entire story was phenomenal and the prophecy the minister shared with his father early on. SOOOO incredible. I love how Zach told part of his story and intertwined it with the Scripture....just awesome. So many times we hear a testimony/story and we give God the Glory, but when trying to reach the lost and non-believers they are looking for where in Scripture does it matter about that part of the testimony....in Rescue Story Zach Williams shares exactly where Scripture was part of his testimony. I loved how he talked about the Big Daddy Weave song that brought him to his knees. I wish he would've talked about what it was like having the opportunity to sing with Big Daddy Weave after God used that song to bring Zach to him finally...once and for all. Zach was with Big Daddy Weave the first time we saw him in concert. I also loved hearing his wife's part of his testimony. Just a good good book!!! I hope he writes another one.

[Ryan Eaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an amazing read! It’s so amazing at his life turn around and how God seemed to have always been there with him

[Lisa Mattingly · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an awesome story! Just another reminder that God will find you where you are and He loves us so much!

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zach and his wife Crystal open up about their struggles and finding their way to Christ.

I really enjoyed this in audio form. Listening to them tell their stories really caught me.

[Amy Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! I highly recommend this book. And while it was especially meaningful and relatable to me personally, I don’t know of anyone who wouldn’t benefit from reading it.

[Brittany Witt · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, so good!

[Mikayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic story of redemption and God’s grace! Loved the audio version, narrated by Zach Williams. Highly recommend!

[Alicia Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really enjoyed this autobiography and getting to learn more about the artist such as how Gods touched his life.

[Lāsma Ašme · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daudzas no viņa dziesmām ir man ļoti tuvas. Tāpēc gribēju izlasīt viņa biogrāfiju un dzirdēt viņa stāstu. Ak...tagad viņa dziesmas klausīšos pavisam citādāk. Klausījos kā audiogrāmatu. Ļoti emocionāli, apraudājos vairākkārt. Dievs glābj pilnīgā bezcerībā, važās saistītos...tas ir brīnumaini kā Viņš izrauj no pilnīgas tumsas - patiesā gaismā un izmanto Savam godam tik iedarbīgā veidā.

[CHRISTAL · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard this in audiobook form and it was like I was watching a movie. I really appreciate the vulnerability of Zach and Crystal. And I’d like to share some excerpts from the book that will give you an understanding of what this book is about and something that stuck with me.
~ All the times that I worked hard because I believed
That life could have meaning through things I've achieved
You knew... I was looking for You
Every time I thought romance might fill up the hole
That incomplete feeling still ached in my soul
Oh, You knew... I was looking for You

~After the yes God works everything out

~God chose you do this that’s enough -Crystal

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Authentic and Touching

I’ve been a fan since I first heard Chainbreaker. I love how honest and raw Zach’s songs are. As I read his story, I felt like I was there with him because he shared the intimate details of all of his struggles. We’ve all been there though our struggles are different the truth is that Jesus is there with us, just waiting. I am so glad that Zach answered his calling. His music touches my heart every time at just the right time. As I finished this book, Fear Is a Liar was playing on the radio. That’s no coincidence. We have nothing to fear. In all that we go through and will go through, there was and is Jesus.

[Jay Heubner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zack’s testimony as a prodigal child. A rock-and-roll singer who thought he had all he ever wanted to make him happy, Zach instead felt empty. The drugs, alcohol, and late-night gigs played around the world couldn't satisfy the longing in his heart for a place to belong. He was desperate for change. His parent’s steadfast love and prayer for him, holding on to a childhood prophecy that God had something great in store for Zack, led his conversion to Christian music and his success as a two-time Grammy award winner with faith-filled ballads like "Chain Breaker," "There Was Jesus (featuring Dolly Parton), "Fear Is a Liar” and “The Heart of God”. An inspiring read!

[Donald Kirby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Facts not spoilers please read

Several years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Zack, a musician who performed at my former church, which is visible from the intersection where you can access 75 in Dayton, Ohio. After the show, he stayed and engaged in conversations with the audience. I have been aware of the challenges Zack has faced while pursuing his musical career. Although I have not had the opportunity to attend his shows more than five times, I cannot recall the exact number.
On October 15th, I finished reading this book, which I completed in approximately four hours. I promptly turned off my television and opened the Kindle application on my computer, knowing exactly what to read. Contrary to my initial intention, I did not read the book when I purchased it. To be honest, I am uncertain about the reason behind this delay. However, I can confidently assert that this day was meant for this reading. I have been grappling with my own spiritual journey and struggling to maintain my walk with Christ.
When we embrace Christ through baptism, we are called to shed our old selves and surrender to His will. However, as Zack’s narrative illustrates, we all possess vices that we must confront and overcome. I extend my sincere gratitude to Zack for sharing his personal story.
Please note that I utilized speech-to-text technology to assist with the transcription of this text. Consequently, there may be occasional grammar errors or inconsistencies, particularly in spelling names.
P.S. I aspire to share my own life story in the future.

[Lauren Henson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’ve been walking the same old road for miles and miles…. This is the book to read. My dear friend that I met about 4 years ago told me all about how Zach Williams brought out the fire in her soul when she saw him in concert. I’ll never forget her telling me that. We were at a Casting Crowns concert and she was sharing her “Rescue Story”. That night, I listened to “old church choir”, “fear is a liar”, and “chainbreaker” on the way home. Something truly spoke to me.

Flash forward to a couple months ago. I heard this book was being released and thought, I HAVE TO READ THAT. I didn’t really know what to expect.

I was surprised to find that Zach had REALLY gone through it. He had the most supportive family that was trying to help him walk with Jesus, but he fought it through drugs, alcohol, and rock and roll for over a decade. He had failure, after failure, but kept persisting!

This book was a really big eye opener to realize that just because it’s a bad day, doesn’t mean it’s a bad life. It also means that everything happens in His timing, not ours.

My favorite thing about this book was when, about halfway through, we started to get snippets from Crystal (his wife). Hearing her perspective on Zach’s problems really made me understand what a partner sees when the other is “falling off the deep end”.

All in all. If I could give this 10 stars I would.

I can’t wait to hear some of his testimony in person when I see him in the fall.

[Ken Heard · Rating 4 out of 5]

About 10 years ago, I went with a friend to a service at Central Baptist in Jonesboro, Ark. We went to a smaller section of the church complex called the Refuge and we watched as a really tall, bearded guy got on stage and began singing.

I was blown away by the talent; his husky, smokey, blues voice carried through the small auditorium and people were amazed. It's probably not appropriate, but hearing his voice made me want to pop open a Bud Light and light a cigarette, and I don't even drink or smoke. He was that good.

It was Zach Williams. I went back to that church several times after just to hear him sing.

I had heard some of his story, of his rough ways early on and his transformation into a Christian singer. So it was with interest that I picked up Rescue Story to learn more.

This is not a preachy book, nor does it appoint blame elsewhere, like at his parents for any dysfunctions. Instead, his folks gave him tons of grace and forgiveness, much, he learned later, as God does to his followers.

The only downside of this was the book was too short. I wanted to see more details about his rise to stardom and his work. I felt he glossed over how he went from playing in Jonesboro to being a Nashville star. The point of the book, though, and probably the reason for the shortness, was more of his reformation from his drug and alcohol life to his success through understanding grace and forgiveness.

[Hilary Swiers · Rating 5 out of 5]

And now where would I be without You?
Where would I be, Jesus?
You were the voice in the desert
Calling me out in the dead of night
Fighting my battles for me
You are my rescue story
Lifted me up from the ashes
Carried my soul from death to life
Bringing me from glory to glory
You are my rescue story

Zach Williams is one of my favorite contemporary Christian singers. In his memoir, he tells his story of being an exceptional high school basketball player, his decent into drugs and alcohol and eventually dropping out of school. He descended further into drugs and alcohol when he joined a music band. Through all of his trials, he still had people faithfully praying for him.

One night, Zach cried out to God. “God, I can’t do this. I can’t do this alone. I can’t do this without You. I need your help. Please help me.” He went in to quit his band and live his life for Jesus.

This was the beginning of his transformation and submission to God.

Zach Williams ends his book with this quote, “coming out of my past, I don’t want to forget where I’ve been. That helps keep me humble, because I never want to go back to my old life. I want God to take the brokenness and use it for His good. His grace will always be hard for us to understand, especially when we remember that we don’t deserve it.”

[Jessica Foraker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A down to earth testimony of coming to Christ after struggling with drugs and alcohol from adolescence into adulthood/marriage. This book was an encouraging reminder that God uses our poor choices and pain for good in our lives. He can mercifully change even the most broken and lost life if one simply calls on his name and truly desires to know Jesus.
In this story, Zach Williams quite literally comes to the end of himself and surrenders to the Lord. God shows up in his life in miraculous ways. God picks him up by his bootstraps and turns his whole life around. Zach also shares about his experience with being judged in church for his mistakes. He wasn’t welcomed in, nurtured or guided in the right direction. As a result he was no longer interested in attending church but God redeems this too.

You get to hear from his wife and his parents perspectives which felt like an added bonus.
His wife gives her life to God around the same time as Zach but for completely different promptings.

Zach’s writing style is simple and honest which I appreciated.

[Katey Hite · Rating 4 out of 5]

To piggy back off another person who started their review this way, I have to think about what to write here. Before reading this, I didn’t know much about Zach Williams other than that I enjoy the music of his I’ve heard. It took some time to read through his autobiography because nonfiction is harder for me to get through, but his was entertaining. However, his entertainment did not down play the hard road he walked or make you want to think higher or lesser of him. He was real and open about his and his wife’s struggles. At the end, I was a little disappointed in how his testimony changed people only because I’ve read books like that before and you think, well I’m not like him so I can’t be as good as him. However, he gave a very humbling turn around and the afterward also left something to think on. It’s a good read to know people struggle in life and how those struggles can be used.

[Lacey Mubanga · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea of Zach Williams’ past, but as a casual fan of his music, I knew I had to read it when I saw that he’d released this book. He left it all out on the table, which I appreciated. He didn’t shy away from past mistakes or try to make excuses for them. His wife also had a few chapters scattered throughout with her perspective on specific events, such as their journey through addiction and recovery, their struggles with faith, and their experiences with fame. I thought that was an excellent addition. I find new meaning in his music, knowing what he went through and recognizing that he, like the rest of us, is a flawed individual just trying to spread the word of God using his talents. He’s not the best audiobook narrator (in my humble opinion), so he should probably stick to his day job. 😊 Overall, it is an insightful book that I would recommend to interested individuals.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well said, well written, and relatable. I have always enjoyed Zach's music and having the Lord speak to me through it. Reading about his life and how he came to know God has been inspirational.

"It's fascinating how small, seemingly insignificant moments forever lock into our minds as vivid memories."
"In the fallen world, running often wins out over resting, and hiding over healing."
"...yet another time the Lord had protected me to live another day for still another shot at His rescue."
"The very people who most need the message of the church cannot be the same people judged and rejected when they walk in."
"...many churches have worked to act like the dirty side of sin doesn't exist, that approach has never and will never work to reach unbelievers."

Rating: substance use and abuse
Language: clean read
Recommend: yes

[Candace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was first introduced to Zach Williams through his Christian music. Fear is a Liar is one of my favorite songs by him. This book is a memoir of his journey from rock-and-roll star to a faith-based life. He and his wife, Crystal, tell his story from different points-of-view. In other words, it is the telling of the same situations from different prospectives. Learning about Zach's journey enlightens my understanding behind some of his Christian songs. Zach pulls no punches about his life's journey. I can say this memoir is a brutally honest. It is also a hope-filled inspirational true-life story. It kept my attention throughout the reading of it. I look forward to listening to more of Zach Williams' Christian music.