Newsboy: My Story of Hope and Second Chances

by John James

Genres: Biography

217 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 23, 2026

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Reviews

[Kristi Drillien]

When John James first stepped down as the Newsboys lead singer in the late 90s, I was in high school. I had no idea what had led to this decision, but the band kept making great music, so I was content enough. Then, I remember very well the Newsboys concert my husband, son, and I attended (it had to have been around 2009-2011, since it was soon into the band's new era), when John James stepped out onto the stage to talk. I'm pretty sure most of the people around us had no idea who he was, but I did. I had been to at least one concert before he left, owned several cassette tapes or CDs of the early Newsboys, and had seen Down Under the Big Top many times (I even had several of his lines memorized from the movie—still do, in fact, and still have the VHS tape). I hadn't seen him in a long time and was excited he was there! He began to tell his story, talking about his addictions and sinful behavior that had led to his departure from the band. He talked about the moment he thought about killing himself, making a joke about it, and the people around us laughed. I didn't find any humor in it, though; my husband and I stood there with mouths agape. I'm pretty sure I was holding back tears. I'm really glad I didn't know about any of that back when I was a teen and the Newsboys was fasting becoming my favorite band (especially since the info circulating at the time was largely worse than the truth), only hearing some of the details after James had allowed Christ's redemptive work to change his heart and his life.

This book expands a lot on what he shared during that concert over 10 years ago, and James is transparent and vulnerable in the text, not hiding or sugarcoating his choices and downward spiral. He starts with his childhood, a foundation that shows that he wasn't just paying lip service to Christian tenets when he first started writing songs and speaking on stage as the frontman of the band. But like all of us who are sinners saved by grace, he made wrong choices, which he then compounded with more wrong choices and the decision to hide those choices from friends and loved ones. He talks of danger points, like disconnecting from a local church and neglecting one's personal time with God, and he ends the book with a very hopeful note. I don't think I'd call it a "happy ending," exactly, because he is still suffering some consequences from how he lived for a while. But the major theme here, which is infused throughout the book, is that God can redeem those that are lost and is waiting to do so, if we'll turn and repent. This book is definitely worth reading for anyone who is a fan of the Newsboys (in any iteration), is interested in stories about the Christian music industry, or is in a position where you believe you've fallen too far to be forgiven by God.

[Jarrett Slusher]

Was super stoked to receive this a month early! It’s great to hear John’s story and see God’s path of restoration in his life. It isn’t easy or smooth, but you can’t spend a minute listening to John and not see God’s work through all the twists and turns.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). It’s easy to think that Christians are perfect and never do or have done anything wrong; but the reality is we are broken people and it takes a mighty God through the sacrifice of His Son to fix us. John’s story reminds us that though we are broken and weak in our own strength, when we rely on God for healing He does more than we could ever imagine to fix and restore us.

Our God is the not only the God of the mountaintops, but also the God of the second (and third, fourth, etc…) chance

[Jodi]

Good to know he repented and has a good relationship with the Lord now. He certainly shows that even though there’s forgiveness, there’s still consequences to our actions (relationships, careers…).

The book was very repetitive. Not sure if it was intended to pad the book or if it’s his natural “verboseness,” but it could’ve been edited in half.

[Brandy Webb]

God wasn't finished with him yet

I really enjoyed this book, I couldn't put it down once I started it. Although this book is about a serious part of his life, he made it enjoyable to read.