In January, singer Michael Tait left the Christian rock band Newsboys after 15 years. Then, simply final week, allegations of grooming, sexual assault, and substance abuse emerged in a prolonged article on The Roys Report following a two-and-a-half-year investigation.
The incidents allegedly occurred between 2004 and 2014 and occurred whereas Tait — who was additionally within the band DC Discuss — was on tour or at dwelling. The publication spoke to over 50 sources, with three accusing him of grooming and sexual assault.
The three remaining members of Newsboys issued a assertion final week, saying “our hearts have been shattered after we learn the information alleging drug abuse and inappropriate sexual actions by our former lead singer, Michael Tait. Whereas Michael has not addressed these allegations, we’re devastated even by the implications.”
“When he left the band in January, Michael confessed to us and our administration that he ‘had been dwelling a double-life’ however we by no means imagined that it might be this unhealthy,” they added.
Tait launched his assertion right this moment on social media, titling it “My Confession,” writing that he “would possibly dispute sure particulars within the accusations in opposition to me, I don’t dispute the substance of them.” Right here’s what he wrote in full:
Current stories of my reckless and harmful habits, together with drug and alcohol abuse and sexual exercise are sadly, largely true. For some twenty years I used and abused cocaine, consumed far an excessive amount of alcohol, and, at instances, touched males in an undesirable sensual approach. I’m ashamed of my life selections and actions, and make no excuses for them. I’ll merely name it what God calls it-sin. I don’t blame anybody or something however myself. Whereas I’d dispute sure particulars within the accusations in opposition to me, I don’t dispute the substance of them.
Once I abruptly left Newsboys in January I did so to get assist. I used to be not wholesome, bodily or spiritually, and was bored with main a double life. I spent six weeks at a therapy middle in Utah, receiving assist which will have saved my life from final destruction. I’ve been clear and sober since, although I nonetheless have a lot of arduous work forward of me.
I’m ashamed to confess that for years I’ve lied and deceived my household, mates, followers, and even misled my bandmates about points of my life. I used to be, for essentially the most half, dwelling two distinctly totally different lives. I used to be not the identical particular person on stage Sunday evening that I used to be at dwelling on Monday. I used to be violating all the pieces I used to be raised to imagine by my God-fearing Dad and Mother, about strolling with Jesus and was grieving the very God I beloved and sang about for many of my life. By His grace, I can say that for the previous six months, I’ve lived a singular life-one of utter brokenness and whole dependance on a loving and merciful God.
I’ve harm so many individuals in so some ways, and I’ll stay with that shameful actuality the remainder of my life. I can solely dream and pray for human forgiveness, as a result of I definitely don’t deserve it. I’ve even accepted the thought that God would be the solely One who in the end and fully forgives me. Nonetheless, I need to say I’m sorry to everybody I’ve harm. I’m actually sorry. It’s my hope and prayer that every one these I’ve harm will obtain therapeutic, mercy, and hope from the Merciful Healer and Hope-Giver.
Even earlier than this current information grew to become public, I had began on a path to well being, therapeutic, and wholeness, because of a small circle of scientific well being professionals, loving household, caring mates, and smart counselors -all of whom noticed my brokenness and surrounded me with love, grace, and prayer. Sin is a horrible factor, taking us the place we don’t need to go; holding us longer than we need to keep; and costing us greater than we need to pay. I settle for the results of my sin and am dedicated to persevering with the arduous work of repentance and healing-work I’ll do quietly and privately, away from the stage and the highlight.
To the extent my sinful habits has brought about anybody to lose respect or religion or belief in me, I perceive, deserve, and settle for that. Nevertheless it crushes me to assume that somebody would lose or select to not pursue religion and belief in Jesus as a result of I’ve been a horrible consultant of Him-for He alone is in the end the one hope for any of us.
King David’s prayer of repentance in Psalm 51 has been my prayer this 12 months: “Have mercy upon me, O God, in keeping with Your lovingkindness…Blot out my transgressions. Wash me totally from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is at all times earlier than me… Create in me a brand new coronary heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit inside me.”
In case you or somebody you already know is present process sexual abuse, please go to rainn.org or contact the Nationwide Sexual Assault Helpline at 1-800-656-4673.
