RNS Morning Report - Newsboys co-founder sues Julie Roys, World Vision and rival Christian concert promoters

A lawsuit details inner workings of Christian concert business The founder of one of the most popular Christian music groups in recent decades has sued key players in the Christian concert business, along with a pair of journalists and one of the nation’s largest charities, claiming they worked together to ruin his company. Wes Campbell, co-founder of Newsboys and owner of a Christian concert promotion company, argues in his legal complaint that his company and the band’s ministry “have been destroyed" by defendants that include journalists Julie Roys and Jessica Morris, Christian music group MercyMe, the charity World Vision and several concert promotion companies owned by Waterland Private Equity Investments, a firm in the Netherlands. At issue are a pair of articles published by The Roys Report, a Christian investigative media company.   But as RNS national reporter Bob Smietana explains, the recent lawsuit also reveals details of the inner workings of the Christian concert business. Read his full story below. Top Stories Newsboys co-founder sues Julie Roys, World Vision and rival Christian concert promoters (RNS) — In a lawsuit filed in federal court, Wes Campbell, a music promoter and co-founder of the popular Christian band, said rival promoters created false accusations of misconduct for anticompetitive reasons. Rachel Goldberg-Polin on her Jewish faith and her slain son’s spiritual quest (RNS) — In her new book, ‘When We See You Again,’ Rachel Goldberg-Polin explores the Jewish traditions her modern Orthodox family has leaned on in mourning their son, and she paints an endearing portrait of Hersh, a mystic of sorts who was forming his own spiritual journey. A priest vanished two years ago. South Sudan’s churches say he’s not alone. (RNS) — Thousands of people are missing in South Sudan. Church leaders are shining a light on this scourge on the second anniversary of a Catholic priest’s disappearance. Photos of the Week: St. George’s Day, Sudan civil war (RNS) — This week’s photo selection includes St. George's Day, the Sudanese civil war and more. Opinion Rachel Goldberg-Polin, mother of American-Israeli killed by Hamas, is a modern symbol of faith (RNS) — One woman faces the unimaginable with a faith that is equally unimaginable. Former LDS mission president explains what we get wrong about people leaving the church (RNS) — The most devout Latter-day Saints are the most likely to be wrong about how many people are leaving the church and why, a new study shows. ICYMI Evangelical broadcasting group asks FCC to investigate ABC over Jimmy Kimmel joke (RNS) — TV host Jimmy Kimmel joked about the first lady having ‘a glow like an expectant widow,’ during a sketch about the White House Correspondents' Dinner that aired two days before the actual reception. Citing Wexner’s Epstein ties, Jewish leaders direct money to survivors (RNS) — More than 100 alumni of Wexner Foundation fellowships and professional development programs have started a fund to aid survivors of sexual abuse and exploitation. Support Our Work As a nonprofit newsroom that covers all faiths, RNS sits uniquely at the intersection of freedom of the press and freedom of religion. News tips or feedback? Email comments@religionnews.com. Like the Morning Report? Share it with a friend. Forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe here. We rely on reader donations to power our reporting. Donate here. Or send a check to: Religion News Foundation PO Box 1808 Columbia, MO 65205

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