Michael Tait, former lead singer of Newsboys, dropped a shocker of an Instagram post today, admitting to abusing cocaine and forcing himself sexually on other men.
Tait, 59, also said the real reason he abruptly left the Newsboys in January was to receive professional help at a treatment center in Utah.
In a statement posted to his Instagram account on June 10 titled “My Confession,” he broke his silence following allegations made by The Roys Report (TRR) on June 4, alleging he had sexually assaulted three men between the years of 2004-2014.
“For two decades I used and abused cocaine, consumed far too much alcohol, and at times touched men in an unwanted, sensual way,” Tait admitted. “I am ashamed of my life choices and actions and make no excuses for them.”
Saying that he may dispute certain details in the stories published by TRR, he conceded that he did not dispute their substance. He called his actions, “sin,” saying he left the Newsboys because he was “tired of living a double life.”
Your tax-deductible gift supports our mission of reporting the truth and restoring the church. Donate $50 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you can elect to receive “Primal Fire: Reigniting the Church with the Five Gifts of Jesus” by Neil Cole, click here.
“When I abruptly left Newsboys in January I did so to get help,” he wrote. “I was not healthy, physically or spiritually.”
Tait stepped down Jan. 16, one day after Tik Tok influencer Azariah Southworth alleged that Tait was gay. (Southworth provided no evidence for his claim and Tik Tok later removed the video).
Tait said he spent six weeks at the treatment facility and has been clean and sober since.
He conceded, “(I was) receiving help that may have saved my life from ultimate destruction.” He says he is recovering thanks to “a small circle of clinical health professionals, loving family, caring friends and wise counselors . . .”
Tait expressed that he had deceived his family, friends and fans, and even band mates, about aspects of his life, in that he was, “for the most part living two distinctly different lives.”
Additionally, “I have hurt so many people in so many ways and I will live with that shameful reality the rest of my life,” he said. In a broad plea for forgiveness, he admitted, “I certainly don’t deserve it.”
“(I) am committed to continuing the hard work of repentance and healing,” he added, “work I will do quietly and privately, away from stage and the spotlight.”
As he closed, Tait said he would be “crushed” if anyone chose not to follow Jesus due to his actions. Calling himself a “horrible representation” of Christ, he referred to Christ as the “only hope for any of us.”
After TRR’s story, his former band mates, in particular new front man Adam Agee, admitted they had heard rumors of Tait’s peccadillos, but were never able to nail down specifics. Tait, Agee said on social media, would always deny it.
Meanwhile Christian radio stations across the country, including monolith network K-LOVE, have pulled or rested Newsboys from airplay. The group is slated to start a national tour June 22 in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Jessica Morris is a music journalist, podcaster and author based in Melbourne, Australia.
English 
Spanish
34 Responses
This news is heartbreaking, especially for the victims whose lives have been impacted by Michael Tait’s actions. Their courage in coming forward deserves our full attention and support. The Christian community must prioritize listening to and caring for those who have suffered, ensuring they receive justice, compassion, and the resources needed for healing.
While Tait’s apology is well-crafted, it’s hard to ignore that it only surfaced after the investigative article was published. True accountability would have meant coming forward before being confronted by public exposure. The timing makes it difficult to see the apology as fully genuine, and it underscores the importance of transparency from leaders before media pressure forces their hand.
Our focus should remain on the survivors—their stories, their pain, and their need for real change. Churches and ministries must do better in protecting the vulnerable and creating environments where abuse cannot be hidden or excused. No reputation or platform should ever come before the safety and dignity of individuals.
Let’s stand with the victims, push for meaningful reforms, and make sure that the church is a place of refuge and truth, not secrecy and damage control.
While I agree with much of what you said, I think we need to be careful of questioning the sincerity based on the timeline. If the timeline is the litmus test, would that not cast doubt on David’s confession and repentance in Scripture? David only confessed and repented after being exposed. As humans, there is no question that it is difficult to restore trust after learning of someone’s duplicity. Only God truly knows his heart. Yes, restoration and healing is needed and deserved by all of those impacted, and every effort to prevent such things in the future needs to be made. Tait acknowledges his sin and his culpability, even though it may seem too late for our liking. As devastating as it is, we can only pray that God truly has his heart and will keep him on the path he has begun. God is a God of healing and restoration – for Tait as well as for the rest of us.
But David didn’t drug young men and take them to bed and molest them. There’s a huge difference. And yes, all those involved in hurting these young men need to come forward and be accountable for what they knew because you know people knew how could they not and Michael needs to turn himself in And he needs to be on the sex offenders registration list if people like a person that I really know really well is already in prison for being involved with the person under age. he went to prison, for that .then Michael Tait should also be accountable and serve time.
The sin of Michael Tait is not worse than King David’s. They may be equal and on the same level of severity, but you say that there is a huge difference between Tait drugging and molesting young men vs David sexually molesting a woman who could not say no and who was married and then sending her husband to be killed. And both where caught before they repented. One of the reassuring things about the story of David is as horrendous as his sin was — and there were severe consequences — he lost a son — there is absolute forgiveness with God when we do fully repent.
DAvid, in our society, could have been put away for life- Murder is murder, Premeditated , adultery Premeditated,
I would be careful about diminishing the apology because of the timing. If you have ever been involved in recovery you would know disclosure/confession too early is often incomplete and damaging to the victims. This appears to be real and heartfelt. He doesn’t minimize his actions or try to blame others. Your skeptical response is why many are reluctant to be as public as Michael.
Any many abusers confess to what they know they can no longer hide from in an attempt to protect themselves and continue to manipulate others. You are actually blaming bystanders for predators continuing to predate. I think that you need to take a hard look at what you are saying.
The honest truth is that if someone was truly repentant, and saw their sin as awful as it is, they would respond to skepticism over their repentance with humility and an awareness that they deserved far, far worse, take it in stride, and keep on living in repentance.
King David only came forward when God sent Nathan to confront front him. Praying his repentance is genuine, time will tell. We are all equal at the foot of the cross. Praying for all victims involved. May we be as merciful as the Lord.
An excellent response here. I could not have said it better. I will again highlight what Jesus said about Sheep and Goats. It is not a parable. It is direct instruction with symbolic names because we are the sheep of His pasture and God never calls goats His. To know Jesus results in not living a double life according to Jesus. According to Jesus, Tait does not know Him, but possibly could if he stops the narcissistic lust for fame and follows through on actual repentance, making knowing Jesus personally the priority and not the spotlight. And speaking of goats, I had a real experience in hell and saw a room reserved for a goat. It was very sobering and the most real experience I have ever had. Click on my name if you want to hear it…
Please do NOT play God, and state as fact that God does not “know MICHAEL TATE”. The entire point with David, (and many other great SAVED SINNERS” ) . Over and over since the fall that particular sin is so highly suggestive that is what happened to him , the stats on girls, “being touched” by some “uncle Joe” is mind blowing. It seems to get out of childhood “never to have a kreeper is getting rare”
Well said, brother. Victims first always.
I am sadden that as Christians sometimes we want to look like the world but this is what happens when you strive to be a worldly Christian. I think the biggest mistake the Church has made is to try to make the church so worldly so non- Christians will feel welcome. So we gave away our place that Jesus gave us to sharpen our swords and grow in our faith. I remember when church was church and we saw people saved every week. God doesn’t need us with strobe lights and music so loud you can’t hear the small still voice, when your so busy being emotional about the music, skits and all the things we do in church now that don’t matter. The good news of Jesus and he can do the rest. Yes, I liked the music of the band but never once when I looked at Michael did I feel the love he kept spouting come from him. I never went to a concert because I was conflicted by how my spirit felt when he came on the stage on the TV let alone in person. We will see more of this as God calls his people to be holy and set apart.
While I agree with you in principle, there is a case that his public apology prior to the news surfacing may have had an unintended effect of bringing unwanted attention to victims. I’m not arguing either way, just an observation. Regardless, the enemy wants to steal, kill, and destroy, and sadly the victims suffered that, as has Mr. Tait. Praying that Christ will be made known.
Him publicly confessing to details before the investigative report made things known may have also prematurely prompted a bunch of “me too” claims.
It is not our place to judge the sincerity of his repentance or apology.
The actions that follow will prove or disprove this.
I will say he could have chosen two other paths: denial (very common) or disappearance (very easy).
Since he did not choose these, I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt until or if proven otherwise.
God decided it was time for this to come into the light, Not Mr. Tait. I pray he will stay in the light.
Certainly more courage than Mike Bickle.
I certainly cannot disagree with the reference to Bickle
Absolutely.
No spin. No lambasting the “accusers of the brethren.” No denials of “it wasn’t as bad as people are making it out to be.” No talk of a prospective “restoration to ministry.”
Much better than Bickle, Zacharias, Brown, Morris, et al.
And Dr. Michael Brown.
“As he closed, Tait said he would be ‘crushed’ if anyone chose not to follow Jesus due to his actions. Calling himself a ‘horrible representation’ of Christ, he referred to Christ as the ‘only hope for any of us.'”
Brown apparently showed no remorse for the damage he did to one woman’s relationship with God. She said his words and actions while she was young resulted in her turning away from God.
No idea if Tait’s apology is genuine or not, although I’m leaning a bit towards thinking it is. The issue now though isn’t just whether he is getting support, it’s what support the men whom he affected are getting.
If his concern is genuine, he needs to offer some kind of meaningful compensation for their therapy and recovery, specifically how it affected their relationship with God, but also in any other ways, too.
Nice apology. Now demonstrate the sincerity of your repentance with works meet for repentance, which in this case means going away. You are unfit to be a Christian band singer.
We have heard this speech before. As a matter of fact, many of us could recite it before he even said anything. The “I am going to rehab and counseling”. He can do all of that. But he should make a trip to his local police department with a list of names of all the men he hurt. That way, they can get justice. He is not sorry. Only sorry he got caught. We are not going to continue to put up with these fake crafted PR stunts to save face. God is real.
True, that the apology only surfaced after the story was reported but he left the band in January bc he felt the need to surrender and knew he needed help so maybe given the time in rehab to get sober and healthy in mind and spirit, which he was obviously desiring and working on, he may have come out with an apology and request for forgiveness. I choose to offer grace, not that I’m not heartbroken for the victims, the fans, the minisry, etc. It’s all so sad but I think he wanted to be “good” but I think when you don’t fit the Christian mold, especially if you’re attracted to the same sex, you have a battle in your heart and mind and you know you’re on the wrong side and will be hated and treated horribly and considered an abomination. We can sit in judgment all day but when you’re a Christian but carrying that struggle and don’t know what to do or how to break it or handle it, I can’t even imagine the mental anguish. I’m not making excuses but I do feel sad for him and others who don’t know what to do with that.
So he admits sexual assault? Well then he should be be arrested and dealt with in a criminal court and receive the legal punishment due to him. Surely?!
Not sure how it works in America, but that’s what would happen over here in the UK.
Absolutely awfoas this horrendous and sad news is one thing I will say at least THIS Michael admitted it still disgusting BUT !
Tait’s was a far better repentance than anything we’ve heard from the many ministers accused of similar sins. Time will tell whether it’s legitimate. In the meantime, both Tait and his victims need our prayers.
Let this serve as a cautionary tale for those getting involved in the Christian music industry and a warning to those already engaged in the sex and drugs lifestyle so prevalent in the secular music industry.
Your word ‘forced’ is not in his statement. Nor implied. ‘Unwanted’ advances is not correctly interpreted as ‘forced’. I think you should be more careful in that embellishment.
Praise God folks, this right here is the gospel of Jesus in real time. Humility, brokeness, forgiveness, restitution, and freedom.
This exposure is certainly disappointing. Jonathan, you wrote a thoughtful reply. It would have been improved by not throwing shade at Michael’s apology. Regardless of how he was outed, it is a healthy apology. It is one thing to throw stones at those who fail to give a quality apology. To keep throwing stones when a person gives a transparent apology, without excuses, is mean spirited. Minus that, your thoughtful article is well received.
Did the rest of the band know about M. Tait’s double life? How could they not, they toured with him and knew him very well. Every week we find more and more sin is exposed in popular Christian culture, truly disturbing. Young people trying to rub shoulders with high powered Christians in order to become famous themselves need to take notice. Reminds me of the Diddy victims, young talent wanting to become famous are taken advantage of by the famous…sad, worse than sad.
I concur with the absolute necessity of the entire band o to turn themselves in for Criminal Neglect. And, of course, Mr. Tait turning himself in within ALL the jurisdictions where he committed these crimes.
But everyone else who knew, but allowed it to continue, have earned thrmselves criminal charges in all those jurisdictions, as well!
In the 1990’s, our sons and friends had weekly radio show on our local station, featuring CCM music. DC Talk was a favorite. A favorite song, “What if I Stumble? It begins with a verbal statement:
The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today
Is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips
Then walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle.
That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.
Then follows the song (first verses below:
What if I stumble, what if I fall.
Is this one for the people?
Is this one for the Lord?
Or do I simply serenade
The things I must afford?
You can jumble them together
My conflict still remains
Holiness is calling
in the midst of courting fame
Cause I see the trust in their eyes
though the sky is falling
They need your love in their life
Compromise is calling
What if I stumble
What if I fall?
What if I lose my step
And I make fools of us all?
Will the love continue
When my walk becomes a crawl?
What if I stumble
And what if I fall?
Michael Tait’s recent confession was disappointing and deeply self-centred. While it may appear on the surface like he was coming clean, the truth is that his statement was overwhelmingly focused on himself—his guilt, his struggle, his journey—while the people most harmed by his actions were barely acknowledged. He mentioned the victims only in passing, and then, in the very next sentence, cast doubt on their experiences by attempting to justify or diminish what happened. That’s not accountability—that’s damage control.
What’s most disturbing is how this type of response continues a harmful pattern where those in positions of power or celebrity prioritize their own redemption story over the real pain of the people they’ve hurt. True repentance doesn’t minimize, disrupt, or redirect attention from the voices of the victims. It centers them. It listens. It doesn’t rush to protect a reputation or career.
Because of this, I can no longer support Newsboys. I’ve removed their music from my playlist entirely. No play = no pay. As a fan who once found inspiration in their songs, this decision wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. I won’t be complicit in financially or publicly supporting someone who mishandles confession and retraumatizes victims with half-hearted statements.
I stand with the victims. They deserve full accountability, not selective apologies wrapped in self-preservation. Until we as listeners and supporters draw a firm line and demand better from the people we platform, this cycle of shallow apologies and continued harm will never end.
To the survivors: your voice matters. I believe you. And I stand with you.
Michael Tait’s recent confession was disappointing and deeply self-centred. While it may appear on the surface like he was coming clean, the truth is that his statement was overwhelmingly focused on himself—his guilt, his struggle, his journey—while the people most harmed by his actions were barely acknowledged. He mentioned the victims only in passing, and then, in the very next sentence, cast doubt on their experiences by attempting to justify or diminish what happened. That’s not accountability—that’s damage control.
What’s most disturbing is how this type of response continues a harmful pattern where those in positions of power or celebrity prioritize their own redemption story over the real pain of the people they’ve hurt. True repentance doesn’t minimize, disrupt, or redirect attention from the voices of the victims. It centers them. It listens. It doesn’t rush to protect a reputation or career.
To the survivors: your voice matters. I believe you. And I stand with you.
Overall, I was pleased with the repentance that Michael Tait gave. It hits all the major points. He doesn’t blame shift in any way but fully accepts that what he did was sin. The only real issue I have with his letter is that in all the sources of help that he mentions –family, friends, health professionals and counsellors — all good — he doesn’t mention the church. It’s the God-given institutions of family and church that will be his biggest help to recovery and accountability to prove his repentance true. It is a very big oversight to miss that I feel. But as far as a letter of repentance goes, it is far more refreshing than most public “repentances.”