The popular Christian Rock Band Newsboys published a statement after an investigation revealed allegations of sexual assault Against the main singer Michael Tait.
Tait, 59 years old, Mysternally, the group in January after 15 years.
Earlier this week, a survey by Christian Media Outlet The Roys report Shared the complaints of three men who said Tait was friends and had sexually assaulted them on tours in 2004, 2010 and 2014.
On Thursday, the group shared a note on Instagram, one day after the report, responding to allegations.
“Last night, our hearts were broken when we read the new alleging drug abuse and the inappropriate sexual actions of our former main singer, Michael Tait,” read the press release, which was shared by the current program of Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips and Adam Agee.
“Although Michael did not address these allegations, we are devastated even by the implications,” continued the group. “We are all four husbands and fathers. Between four, we have fourteen children. Our women and children have made many sacrifices when we have devoted our lives to playing music together that glorifies God. ”
They added: “We are horrified, with a broken and angry heart against this report and in many ways, we have the impression that we and our families have been deceived in the past fifteen years.”
Before leaving the group in January, Tait “confessed to us and our management” that he “had lived a double life”, wrote the members of the group, adding that they “had never imagined that it could be so bad.”
Tait representatives, formerly of the DC Talk group, did not immediately respond to The independentComment request.
Tait had previously announced his departure from journalists on January 16, writing on Instagram that it was a “monumental and sincere decision” which “was a shock for myself”.
“But in the midst of prayer and fasting, I clarified that it is the right decision,” he continued in his announcement.
“My heart remains focused on the dissemination of hope and love in everything I do. Thank you for traveling this trip with me. I am eternally grateful, ”he concluded.
He joined journalists in 2009, taking over from the co-founder of the group and the singer of the time, Peter Furler. Under the stewardship of Tait, the group came out Again born (2010), the album Smash Worship God is not dead (2011), and followers as Restart (2013) and Stay (2021),
Far from music, Tait was opened on his conservative political opinions, first approving Ted Cruz as President in 2016 before supporting Donald Trump, opposing his indictment in 2019 and performing in an evangelical concert for Trump in January 2020.
If you or someone you know have been sexually assaulted, contact the National Hotline of Sexual Assault at 1-800-656-Hope (4673).
If you are in the United Kingdom, Rape Crisis offers support for people affected by rape and sexual abuse. You can call them on 0808 802 9999 in England and Wales, 0808 801 0302 in Scotland and 0800 0246 991 in Northern Ireland, or visit their website to www.rapectrisis.org.uk.
