I, like many other young Gen Xers and older Millennials, remember Michael Tait as one of the three members of DC Talk and who later went on to be the lead singer for Newsboys. The allegations look bad. I don't want to quote the parts of the article that discuss the allegations because they are graphic.

https://julieroys.com/former-newsboys-frontman-michael-tait-accused-sexual-assault-grooming-substance-abuse-dating-back-to-2004/

It made me think of the DC Talk song, My Friend (So Long).

PabloSerna said:

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There's a Newsboys song about this, "Truth and Consequences". Praying for him and the people he harmed.

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Amen. Prayers.

DC Talk was my absolute favorite music group growing up. Kevin Max came out as non-religious a few years ago and now this.

Tait released a statement admitting that the reports are true. He admitted to doing a lot of cocaine, overindulging in alcohol, and making unwanted sexual advances toward men including physical contact.

The Roys report though, is a freaking awesome newsletter and podcast. Julie Roys has exposed so much hypocrisy in the church and shed light on so much. Ultimately the sunlight is the best of disinfectants. This one stings though.

Wow. This one hits pretty hard. I don't visit this board much at all anymore, so just stumbled across the news on social media last night and wasn't aware what had happened.

I have been a fan of Michael Tait for probably close to 40 years. I have always been more of a rock fan and DC Talk was the first real Christian Rock band that actually produced good music. Had several of their tapes/ CDs as a kid and have followed him ever since.

Saw him in concert in College Station with 3rd Day when he was just Tait and he jumped in and sang on 'God of Wonders' with 3rd Day and it was awesome.

Then we have taken our kids to 2-3 Newsboys concerts when they were little and the kids were just in awe.

I agree with NoahAg that it just shows you can't put your faith in ANYONE. They will almost always let you down.

I just thought he was on the real great Christian musicians who really did it for the love of the Lord.

So disappointing to hear about the sexual allegations, but then on top of it the drug use, excessive alcohol on the tour buses, etc. Then if you read the story by the Roys Report, it sounds as if drugs, smoking, and drinking in excess is common across Christian music bands.

Really makes you think these guys are just doing the Christian music scene for an easier path to stardom and are just playing a role. Do they even believe what they sing about?

And I agree how do the rest of Newsboys not go down with the ship?

He joined in 2009, no way they didn't know or hear about it when at least 3 cases of sexual stuff as reported, and likely 10+ that aren't reported as he was targeting young men that would not be believed. At a minimum, they knew about heavy alcohol use and were complicit, and had to be aware of the drug use as it is not that easy to hide if you are with him daily.

Most CCM is garbage, but I did like some Newsboys songs. Tait's repentance seems genuine and sincere, and I'm grateful for the redemption God offers to all who humbly confess their sin and seek refuge in the finished work of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

I'm confused. He doesn't look like a drag queen?

We grew up (SBC) listening to DC Talk, Newsboys, Caedmon's Call, Ray Boltz, ect.

The Newsboys came to our church in the early 2000's for a youth concert. There were underlying issues even back then. This concert was a big deal at our church with a a lot of pre-planning since we were expecting a crowd around 2500 to attend. My daughters were teenagers at the time, so I volunteered for the security crew.

There were certain expectations from the group that were not met. The band was suppose to meet privately with our youth group a couple of hours before the concert for a meet and greet. Our youth was excited and really looking forward to it. The Newsboys traveled (at least at that time) with a trailer full of dirt bikes, and decided on the morning of the concert to travel 70 miles to a location so they could ride their bikes. They didn't pay attend to how long they were out and arrived back into town just before the concert. The youth group waited around, had meal planned for them, and they didn't show up to meet with them. Our staff told them that the autograph session with the audience after the concert was being cancelled, and they needed to pack and leave. It didn't end on a good note.

I also remember talking to a friend later that had volunteered to drive the Newsboys support staff around town for things they needed that day (mainly shopping). She was very shocked and disappointed in their conduct and entitled attitudes. By the way, this concert was a few years prior to Michael Tait joining the band.

I have since been leery of a lot of "Christian" bands such as these. They seem to emphasize entertainment over focusing on the gospel. They may throw a few spiritual tidbits to the audience, but their lifestyle doesn't always back their talk. Of course, nobody is perfect and we all fail, but after reading about Michael Tait's story, he had been purposely living a compromised life of sin for many years.

I long suspected Tait might be gay

Chris Rice was credibly accused a few years ago. Not sure of others.

Redstone said:

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We grew up (SBC) listening to DC Talk, Newsboys, Caedmon's Call, Ray Boltz, ect.

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Ray Boltz came out of the closet a few years ago.

Was thinking about this again today.

God took him from us at the age of 41. Only He knows why.



It seems like over the last 28 years CCM could have used more people like him around. Up front about his struggles. No one in modern CCM would tell audience about late-night hotel room movies and wanting to walk through the Red Light District. He cautioned people against looking up to him. Repeatedly told audiences to only look at him for entertainment but to embrace the Church for spiritual nourishment. Was part of the industry but was not of it. It was bad at the time he was alive but one can only imagine what he would say about what has become of CCM.

One of the issues we have in contemporary Church culture is that so many hide sin and temptation to put on a facade. I hope to see a Christian community in which someone like Tait could have been open early on about his temptations, struggles, and sins with some of those close to him and those people not only holding him accountable but also loving him through it. Tait likely never felt he could be open with his sin because of what he stood to lose and instead fell deeper into it.