It was 2014. The Newsboys were already in the middle of a massive second act after Michael Tait took over the lead vocals. Then came "We Believe." Honestly, nobody expected a corporate confession of faith to become a radio juggernaut, but it did. It wasn't just a song; it became a literal script for thousands of churches. If you grew up in or around CCM (Contemporary Christian Music) during that era, you couldn't escape it.
The track, officially titled "We Believe," is the cornerstone of the Restart album. While many people search for it using the phrase we believe in god the father newsboys, the lyrics are actually a modern adaptation of the Nicene and Apostles' Creeds. It’s a bold move. Usually, pop songs focus on "me" and "my feelings," but this one shifted the focus to "we" and "our foundation."
It worked. It spent weeks at the top of the Billboard Christian Airplay charts. It defined the God's Not Dead era of Christian pop culture. But why does it still resonate when so many other hits from 2014 have faded into the background of Sunday morning playlists?
The Story Behind the Anthem
Most people assume the band members sat down and wrote this together in a tour bus. Not quite. The song was actually penned by Richie Fike, Matt Hooper, and Travis Ryan. They wanted to create something that wasn't just another "Jesus is my friend" song. They wanted something liturgical but with a stadium-rock pulse.
When the Newsboys heard it, they knew it fit their mission. Michael Tait has mentioned in various interviews that the song serves as a "mandate." In a world that feels increasingly fractured, there is something deeply grounding about a group of people shouting the same core beliefs in unison. It’s tribal in the best way possible.
The production is classic Newsboys—big drums, soaring synth layers, and Tait’s powerhouse vocals that lean into his DC Talk roots while keeping things polished for 21st-century radio. It’s loud. It’s unapologetic. It’s basically the sonic equivalent of a cathedral built out of Marshall amplifiers.
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Why the Lyrics Matter More Than the Melody
Let's talk about the words. The phrases we believe in God the Father and we believe in Jesus Christ aren't just lyrics; they are historical markers. By pulling from the Creeds, the song connects a suburban teenager in a hoodie to a 4th-century monk. That’s a wild level of depth for a three-and-a-half-minute pop song.
- The First Verse: Focuses on the "lost and the broken." It sets the stage by acknowledging that the world is a mess.
- The Chorus: This is the meat. It lists the essentials: the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, the crucifixion, the resurrection, and the second coming.
- The Bridge: This is where the song usually makes people cry in concert. It talks about the "gates of hell not prevailing." It’s a declaration of war against despair.
Interestingly, some critics at the time thought it was "too simple." They argued that a song shouldn't just be a list of doctrines. But they missed the point. Simple is sticky. When life is falling apart, you don't usually want a complex theological dissertation. You want to know what is true. You want a rock to stand on.
The God’s Not Dead Connection
You can't talk about we believe in god the father newsboys without mentioning the film God's Not Dead. The Newsboys became the "house band" for that entire movement. The song "We Believe" was featured in the sequel, God's Not Dead 2, and it perfectly captured the defiant, "here I stand" energy of those movies.
It’s easy to forget how massive those films were for the faith-based market. They weren't just movies; they were cultural rallies. The Newsboys provided the soundtrack for that. This song specifically gave people a way to vocalize their identity in a public square that felt increasingly hostile to their views.
Technical Performance and Legacy
From a technical standpoint, the song is a masterclass in tension and release. It starts with a pulsing, atmospheric intro. It builds. It drops. Then the chorus hits like a freight train. This is why it’s a staple for worship leaders. Even a mediocre band can make this song sound powerful because the structure is so solid.
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The song earned the band a K-LOVE Fan Award for Song of the Year. It also bagged a Dove Award nomination. But the real "award" is the sheer longevity. If you walk into a church today—whether it's a Baptist church in Texas or an Anglican church in London—there’s a high chance you’ll hear these lyrics.
Common Misconceptions About the Song
- "The Newsboys wrote it from scratch." As mentioned, it was a collaboration involving outside writers like Travis Ryan. The Newsboys "interpreted" it for a global audience.
- "It’s just for Evangelicals." Because it uses the Creeds, it has huge crossover appeal with Catholic and Orthodox listeners. It’s one of the few CCM songs that bridges that gap effectively.
- "It was their biggest hit." While huge, "God's Not Dead (Like a Lion)" still holds that crown in terms of pure cultural saturation. However, "We Believe" is arguably the more "sacred" song for the fanbase.
The Cultural Impact of "We Believe"
Why do we still care? Honestly, because the world hasn't gotten any less chaotic since 2014. If anything, it’s more confusing. Music functions as a sort of "internal compass." When the Newsboys sing about the Holy Spirit and the Church being the "light of the world," they are offering an alternative narrative to the evening news.
There is a psychological phenomenon where singing in a group reduces cortisol and increases oxytocin. Now, add to that the weight of 2,000 years of church history. You get a song that doesn't just entertain—it stabilizes. It’s "liturgical pop."
Michael Tait's delivery is also key. He doesn't sing it like a performer; he sings it like a witness. There’s a grit in his voice during the bridge that feels earned. Having been in the industry since the late 80s, Tait has seen trends come and go. His conviction sells the song. Without that authentic "buy-in" from the vocalist, a song this doctrinal could easily feel cold or clinical. Instead, it feels alive.
How to Use This Song Today
If you’re a musician or a content creator looking to engage with this track, there are a few things to keep in mind. The song is highly adaptable.
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- Acoustic Versions: Stripping away the "big" production reveals the strength of the melody. It’s a great exercise for any songwriter to see how a song holds up with just a guitar.
- Theological Study: Use the lyrics as a jumping-off point. Where do these ideas come from? Compare the lyrics to the original Nicene Creed. You'll find they are remarkably faithful to the source material.
- Playlists: It’s the perfect "anchor" song for any faith-based playlist. It transitions well from high-energy tracks into more reflective moments.
The legacy of the Newsboys' "We Believe" isn't found in the charts anymore. It’s found in the fact that kids who weren't even born when it was released are now singing it in youth groups. It has entered the "hymnal" of the modern era.
To get the most out of this song, don't just listen to the radio edit. Look up the live performances from the Restart tour. The energy in the room when the bridge kicks in is something you can't replicate in a studio. It shows the power of shared belief—something that, regardless of your personal stance, is undeniably impressive to witness.
Take a moment to listen to the "We Believe" live version from the Live in Jerusalem recordings. The context of singing those specific words in that specific city adds a layer of weight that most pop songs can never achieve. It moves the track from a "CCM hit" to a global declaration.
If you're looking for the chord charts or sheet music, most major providers like PraiseCharts or Musicnotes still list it as a top-seller. This confirms its status as a foundational piece of modern worship repertoire. Whether you're a long-time fan or just discovering the Newsboys through this track, the message remains the same: some things are worth standing up for.