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 residence. 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 had been shattered once 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 may very well be this dangerous,” they added.
Tait launched his assertion at the moment on social media, titling it “My Confession,” writing that he “may dispute sure particulars within the accusations towards me, I don’t dispute the substance of them.” Right here’s what he wrote in full:
Latest stories of my reckless and damaging conduct, 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 occasions, touched males in an undesirable sensual manner. I’m ashamed of my life decisions 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 would dispute sure particulars within the accusations towards me, I don’t dispute the substance of them.
After I abruptly left Newsboys in January I did so to get assist. I used to be not wholesome, bodily or spiritually, and was uninterested in main a double life. I spent six weeks at a therapy middle in Utah, receiving assist that will have saved my life from final destruction. I’ve been clear and sober since, although I nonetheless have numerous arduous work forward of me.
I’m ashamed to confess that for years I’ve lied and deceived my household, buddies, followers, and even misled my bandmates about features of my life. I used to be, for probably the most half, dwelling two distinctly completely different lives. I used to be not the identical individual on stage Sunday night time that I used to be at residence on Monday. I used to be violating every little thing I used to be raised to consider by my God-fearing Dad and Mother, about strolling with Jesus and was grieving the very God I cherished 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 complete dependance on a loving and merciful God.
I’ve damage 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 actually don’t deserve it. I’ve even accepted the thought that God will be the solely One who in the end and fully forgives me. Nonetheless, I need to say I’m sorry to everybody I’ve damage. I’m actually sorry. It’s my hope and prayer that every one these I’ve damage will obtain therapeutic, mercy, and hope from the Merciful Healer and Hope-Giver.
Even earlier than this latest 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 buddies, 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; conserving 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 conduct has precipitated anybody to lose respect or religion or belief in me, I perceive, deserve, and settle for that. Nevertheless it crushes me to suppose 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 response to Your lovingkindness…Blot out my transgressions. Wash me completely from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is all the time 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 is present process sexual abuse, please go to rainn.org or contact the Nationwide Sexual Assault Helpline at 1-800-656-4673.