In two previous posts (facebook.com/rickileebrooks), I discussed the fallout stemming from a major investigative report regarding multiple personal testimonies alleging serious moral failure on the part of The Newsboys lead singer, Michael Tait…some pointing at predatory behavior. Subsequent to the release of that report from TheRoysReport.com, Michael Tait released a highly confessional letter on his Instagram profile. To his credit, he confessed much. He admitted to drug abuse issues as well as predatory sexual sins. He confirmed that accusations were true, that he had been living a double life for years, and he had no one to blame but himself. Needless to say, heartache over all this is running very high. No doubt it’s off the charts at the epicenter of Michael’s circle of family, friends, and, most pointedly, his victims, but also throughout the Church as the ripple effect grows.
However, this is not the whole story of Michael Tait and the Newsboys. Their Christian pop-music stories reach back to the the mid 1980’s when Michael was a cofounder of a different Christian band, D.C.Talk, and The Newsboys had co-lead vocals, John James and Peter Furler. Both bands were very popular. Both were seen at Christian concerts and evangelistic events from coast to coast and beyond. Together they had a signicant impact in spreading the life-changing message of the Savior. And both bands have suffered the consequences of Michael’s betrayal, but Michael is not alone. He’s not alone regarding history and he’s not alone regarding The Newsboys.
In 1997, The Newsboys suffered a similar hurt. John James lost both his wife and his membership with The Newsboys. You see, while fronting for The Newsboys, his popularity expanded rapidly, but his wife and child quietly suffered. John’s double life, singing of God’s glory to thousands upon thousands while indulging addictions to alcohol and other drugs in private, led his wife, along with their daughter, to leave him, and The Newsboys to dismiss him. Like Michael, he hurt many…as well as himself and his testimony for the Lord.
So, is the problem just their self indulgences that brought so much pain to so very many? No, it’s much bigger. There is a second aspect at play. It is the double-mindedness (duplicity, deception, fraud, deceit, and lying) that adds insult to injury. It is an offense to God and a devastation to those who love and/or admire and respect them.
This too is not the whole of their stories. Back in that wonderful heyday of “contemporary” Christian music, myself and thousands of youth pastors utilized the music of The Newsboys, DC Talk, O.C. Supertones, Geoff Moore and the Distance, Audio Adrenaline, and others extensively in our ministries. Not much earlier than John’s exit from the The Newsboys, myself and a team of youth evangelists, lead by my good friend Chris Clark, hosted a large event in the greater Seattle, Washington area. We called it Big Splash. We occupied the entirety of a large Theme and Water Park. Thousands of teens in the Northwest were invited through local churches to come. The day was spent on the giant slides, etc. in the water park and fantastic rides in the theme park. When 5:30 rolled around, they would join their leaders and groups to fill a very big hillside facing a large stage. Every year, we invited a gifted youth speaker to join a great lineup of bands for an evening of music and a message all centered on the main thing, Jesus. Beginning with the opening bands, the evening would eventually lead to the headlining band and the speaker. Unusual for these kind of events, we tactically interrupted the headliner’s set to introduce our speaker. The speaker’s role was the same as Billy Graham’s. When he came to the altar call we followed the very same method we’d all learned from the Billy Graham crusades. Young people were asked to come forward if they wanted to receive Jesus. Waiting for them at the bottom of the hill was a large team of volunteer “counselors” to answer their questions, pray with them, and start the follow-up ministry in their lives. While all this took place at the foot of the hill, we asked all the others to stay in place praying or talking quietly while they rejoiced and waited the headline band to come back on stage.
And here’s the rest of the story. During the event in which The Newsboys headlined for the concert, hundreds of young people came forward after our speaker’s message and invitation. Our team, along with the thousands of other Christ-followers in that amphitheater, rejoiced. In due time, we brought The Newsboys back to the stage welcomed by the eardrum breaking thunderous applause and screams of the crowd. John and the Newsboys did not disappoint. It was glorious. Yet, good things come to a close, right? So, John introduced the final song. It was fantastic. And then…then this happened. The song finished. The crowd went wild with appreciation…but John, the one living a hurtful, double-minded life, was moved. He motioned to the crowd…he talked softly, he began to share about Jesus. We didn’t ask him to do it. In fact, it had never happened before. He just felt like he should. The young people fell silent. They listened to every word. He told them of the wonder and glory of the Savior. He told them also about the brokenness of the human heart and mind apart from the Savior. And then he said these words, “I, I, well, I feel sorry for you if you still don’t know Jesus.” And they came again… another crowd…hungry to hear more. Our team leapt into action. Once again, they met the kids to pray and answer their questions. Yet, that wasn’t enough. Chris Clark sensed it. He asked someone to bring up a tall step-ladder we used in setting up the stage. It was quickly placed left of the stage, and the kids saw and gathered around it. Chris whispered into John’s ear, “Climb that ladder and tell them more about Jesus.” Once again, the amphitheater was quiet. We watched with awe and joy. So, did the heavenly host. So did God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We smiled. We wept. John quietly told that eager crowd of young people about the Savior’s love, his grace, his death, his resurrection, and his offer. They bowed their heads…and entered God’s kingdom.
John is now recovered. He lives at home in Australia. His whole life is dedicated to helping people know Jesus. This can be Michael’s future. Let’s pray for him.
This is the story. No, not Michael’s or John’s. His story. The Savior’s story. If you know, you know. We’re all double-minded. We all have baggage. We all sin. We all need new birth. We all need what only God has. And once we receive him, it’s sometimes slow going. For just a moment, lay aside why it’s slow going. Also, for now, lay aside why some stumble hard, real hard, while others not so much. Just focus on the fact that God alone can produce holiness…if we want him to do so.
Ricki Lee Brooks 