Exclusive Newsboys Interview

June 2005

The Ultimate Event at Alton Towers - held on Saturday, 14th May, 2005 – proved to be a historic occasion for popular Australian band, the Newsboys. This was because it was their first concert in the UK in about five years. It was a high energy, passionate performance, so we gave them a couple of weeks to recover before conducting the following email interview with Jeff Frankenstein, the keyboard player. We hope you enjoy the challenging things he had to say to us.

You recently played the Ultimate Event in the UK, and you have obviously played all over the world, including in your home country of Australia. What differences do you see in audiences round the world?

It seems like every part of the world responds differently. We really enjoy playing in the UK and in Europe. It seems as though the fans are very grateful and excited to see you, because we don't get to play there that much. We really felt on our last trip to Europe we were there to encourage our fellow believers. I felt a lot of discouragement on the faces of pastors, youth leaders and Christians in general. It’s a lot harder to be a Christian in the UK and in Europe. It really takes a big commitment, and we really felt like we were there to give them all the encouragement we could. It’s a tough environment. We are trying to make an effort to get overseas more often. The Alton Towers gig was incredible. It was the first time we had played in the UK in about five years. Fans in the UK are very musical and very genuine. They seem like they are watching more intently who is playing what - and the overall feel of the concert - as opposed to the crowds in the States.

I read that you have been involved in a Bible Literacy Program. Can you tell us a little bit about this - why it was started, and how it ties in with your music ministry?

The whole Bible literacy thing really came out of ourselves being challenged. I can speak for myself in saying that after being a Christian for most of my life, I have realised that my knowledge of the Bible has been quite poor. There is definitely an enemy of our souls that doesn't want us to read that thing because there is so much power in it. It’s too easy to be distracted by other things. It amazes me how any Christians have never read the Bible or don't have any knowledge of it, but that is what our beliefs as Christians revolve around. It seems like many Christians lack a biblical foundation. Whenever we are challenged we will crumble unless we are grounded in the word. As hard as it is sometimes to get into that discipline, I’ve found that every time I get into the word I feel refreshed and encouraged, and it seems more relevant to me now than ever.

word-on-the-web helps promote Bible reading amongst young Christians. Can you tell us what part the Bible plays in the music of the Newsboys?

Obviously, the Bible plays a big part in what we do. It is our spiritual food. It keeps us grounded.

You have been going now for some time, and released many albums. Is there anything left for the Newsboys to say?

Definitely. We are just getting started. The Lord has been so gracious with us over the years, even when we didn’t know what the heck we were doing. I think over the last few years we have really felt renewed in our spirits. Musically and spiritually sometimes you just have to start again. I have been going through the most basic Bible study book in the world, and yet it has been the most powerful thing. We really feel we want to encourage other believers to get grounded in the word. It is so important. I am so saddened by Christians that I have seen fall away because they were never grounded and never had people in their life who were grounded who could help them in tough times. We have discovered the true meaning of the church: to encourage and lift each other up. When we start to build good foundations, then we can go out and do the work the Lord has put in all of us without getting blown over. I think being grounded in the word is the key to revival in the world. It’s really not about events and big numbers and “altar calls”. If people don't get into the word and have leaders and mentors to look up to for help they will just fall away. It’s like sending someone off to war without any armour or weapons.

What can we expect next for the Newsboys? Another album? More touring? A DVD?

Oh yes, there is all of that in the works. We are recording this summer, and probably some touring after that. We are doing a lot of international touring this year.

We hope it goes well. Thank you for answering our questions!