Phil Joel departs from the Newsboys to devote more time to family

NEW ZEALAND-born bass player and occasional vocalist Phil Joel has left the Newsboys to devote more time to family and personal goals. He finished up with the band on 31st December 2006. "I'll always be a Newsboy, it will remain a strong part of who I am", said Joel. "I've grown up with the guys and they'll always be brothers to me and the past 12 and a half years have been amazing." "We will miss him," said frontman Peter Furler. "We appreciate him and wish he and his family only the best for the future." The band has just completed a successful tour of Singapore and China without Joel as a four-piece.