The Christian singer explains why he won’t accept trophies for “from Jesus, for Jesus” music — and why making money from worship doesn’t erase his faith.
Forrest Frank is breaking the silence.
After country star Jelly Roll publicly questioned Frank’s decision to refuse Christian music awards while still earning money from worship songs, the Christian artist took to Instagram to explain his thinking — and to extend an olive branch.
Frank told followers he initially hesitated to respond because he didn’t want unnecessary drama. But as news outlets picked up the exchange, he felt he needed to clarify his heart. “All I’m going to say to you, Jelly, is, ‘I love this question,’” he said in the Instagram video. “This is the question that kept me from making Christian music for so many years, because I didn’t want to make a business out of worship music. I didn’t want to make a business out of Jesus.”
The public spat began after Frank announced he would no longer accept awards for music he considers “from Jesus and for Jesus.” He had made the same point earlier this year, saying he wanted to take a “stance of non-participation” after struggling with the idea of turning worship into competition. Frank had previously received recognition in the Christian music community but decided not to attend future ceremonies or accept trophies tied to faith-based projects.
Jelly Roll, who has previously been recognized at Christian award shows himself, didn’t shy away from the topic. He jumped into the comment section of Frank’s post, writing, “Won’t receive trophy for something from Jesus for Jesus but will take the profits from something from Jesus for Jesus. Maybe I’m missing something here lol.”
The comment quickly went viral, sparking debate among fans and other artists. Some saw Jelly Roll’s point — questioning how one could reject accolades but still earn profits — while others backed Frank’s conviction as a genuine personal boundary.
Frank addressed that tension head-on. He said he had avoided Christian music for years because he didn’t want to turn it into a business. But after feeling a spiritual calling to share songs like “Quiet Time”, which he wrote and produced himself, he decided to obey that prompting.
On the issue of money, Frank was transparent: legally, revenue from his music comes to him — but what he does with it afterward is a matter of faith. “Your left hand isn’t supposed to know what your right hand is doing,” he said. “I might give 90% of my money away, I might give 10% of my money away, somewhere in between, but y’all are never going to know that because that’s my relationship with Jesus.”
The industry has seen divided reactions. Some musicians praised Frank for setting a faith-driven example, while others — including members of the Christian rock band Sanctus Real — suggested that artists who truly wish to avoid awards can simply refrain from submitting their work in the first place. Critics also pointed to the high prices of Frank’s merchandise, saying it contradicted his anti-commercial stance.
But Frank made it clear that his goal wasn’t to judge others or make headlines. Instead, he wanted to encourage dialogue among believers. “I love these questions & I don’t think we should ever shy away from them as believers,” he wrote in his caption.
He ended his video on a compassionate note, revealing that he and Jelly Roll had spoken privately to clear the air. “@jellyroll615 & I got to hop on the phone recently and we are GOOD,” he wrote. “Actually, in my head we were never not good. I love these questions, and I don’t think we should ever shy away from them as believers.”
Whether fans agree with Frank’s approach or not, the conversation has opened a deeper question in the Christian music world — how artists can stay true to their faith in an industry built on recognition and profit.
