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Newsboys seek ministry over entertainment

After waiting through two hours of warm-up bands, fans went crazy when the Newsboys finally stepped onto the smoke-filled stage and broke into the first chords of "Not Ashamed." Three huge microphones hung above the stage, reminding the audience that the theme for the Newsboys' tour is "Step up to the Microphone." Video images flashed behind the microphones, showing clips from Newsboys concerts and videos, memory verses and song lyrics.

Below the flash and glamor of the stage, the fans were on their feet, screaming. Some pushed to the front for a better view of the Newsboys. As the band transitioned into "Spirit Thing," many people raised their hands to God. Other fans were more comfortable jumping, clapping and dancing to the music.

Backstage, before their portion of the concert, the Newsboys' bass guitarist, Phillip Joel, sat strumming a guitar. He appeared relaxed and was willing to talk to me. Joel seemed unaware of any controversy surrounding Christian music. He asked me several times of there really are people who don't agree with all the aspects of contemporary Christian music.

Joel did realize fans have various reasons for coming to the show. "I think it's different for different people," he said. "It's more than a single-dimension answer. For a lot of people, tonight will be entertainment. Hopefully, for a lot more people it will be a church service. For others, it will be revelation."

As the concert continued, the diverse attitudes of the fans became evident. While some fans were raising their hands to God in worship, others were jumping up and down in a sweaty frenzy. After playing a couple of songs, the Newsboys stopped to talk to the audience. Only a few seconds passed before several fans began shouting, "Play some music!"

Although the Newsboys themselves are in their 20s and early 30s, they attract people of all ages to their concerts. Children as young as 6 or 7 observed the concert with their parents. Adults in their 40s danced to the music.

The Newsboys' latest album, "Step up to the Microphone," contains alternative-style songs and has less of a pop sound than past albums such as "Going Public."

Throughout the concert, security guards continually reminded fans to keep at least 4 feet away from the stage. Upon request, the audience backed up for a moment, until they could not resist inching forward. Moments later, security guards had to again ask the crowd to back up. A continual tug-of-war ensued between the audience and security guards.

Before the Newsboys came on, a missions group called Teen Mania campaigned from the stage, asking teens to join their summer missions program. The speaker encouraged interested teens to go to the side doors and pick up information during the intermission. I overheard one boy saying, "Good. When they leave, we can push our way up front."

Before playing "Entertaining Angels," Peter Furler, Newsboys' lead singer, told the audience that when one person gives his life to God, there is a huge celebration in heaven. Fans cheered loudly at this reminder. Furler started singing the most popular song off of their new album. "So temporary the things that I have seen," he sang. "I ran so far. Will you take me back again? Entertaining Angels by the light of my TV screen...Twenty-four-seven you wait for me...."

The concert was upbeat and energetic. Most fans were having a good time singing along and dancing. However, at a serious point, Furler played a slower song called "Always" to remind the audience that God is the father of the fatherless. While the band played, the screen behind them displayed Matthew 11:30: "For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

During the concert, a boy tapped me on the shoulder and asked me if I'd been to the center of the stage yet to take pictures. I told him no, and he asked, "Well do you want to go? I'll take you." I looked for a moment at the crowd near center stage. It was not quite a mosh pit, but almost. I agreed to go with the boy, and he started pushing his way through the crowd. I followed him carefully, flashing my press pass at anyone who looked angry at us. Finally, we reached center stage. I had enough time to get one quick photo of Furler before the song started. As soon as he began singing, my chances of getting any pictures were gone. No one was moshing, but with so many people packed into such a small space, and all of them jumping up and down, I worried my camera would receive a sharp elbow. Regretfully, I left center stage.

When the band took a quick break, Furler and drummer Duncan Phillips remained on stage to play the drums, which were set up on a rotating platform. The platform elevated to about 12 feet above the stage and slowly spun around while Furler and Phillips played. The audience cheered. During "Breakfast," Furler put on a bright yellow Cheerios shirt. He wore it for a few seconds, then pulled it back over his head and threw it to a delighted fan. The whole audience sang along with the chorus: "When the toast is burned and all the milk has turned and Captain Crunch is wavin' farewell, when the big one finds you, may this song remind you that they don't serve breakfast in Hell."

At the end, Furler became serious. "I hope that you may truly come to a knowledge and relationship with Jesus Christ, Son of God," he said. "I'm not sure where you're at tonight, and it's not my place to decide. I have a question for you: If you're not in a relationship with Jesus Christ, what is stopping you? "He [Jesus Christ] came down from heaven and lived. God was one of us. He came down and walked this earth ... We can trust him to bring us to the Father." Furler followed this with an informal invitation for people to receive Christ. Some of Furler's final words were, "All this [the concert and the band] means nothing except it being for the glory of God."

Following the Newsboys' exit, the fans demanded an encore by stamping their feet and raising their voices. The band came back on stage to play "Step up to the Microphone" and "Shine." The last portion of the show was a testimony to what Joel said was his favorite part about being in the Newsboys: "Being given the chance to show love because Christ said the only way people will know who we are is when we love one another."

Beth Coleman's favorite song is "landslide" by Fleetwood Mac.



Newsboys' bass guitarist, Phillip Joel, knows he's a Christian role model for fans.

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