Award-winning Christian recording artist Steven Curtis Chapman is raising awareness for adoption among Christian families on his 70-city tour around the country, called “All Things New.”
The tour is sponsored by Shaohannah’s Hope, the Chapman family’s adoption foundation, which provides information and assistance to families who desire to adopt but lack the financial resources. The tour has already raised more than 1 million dollars, and hundreds of show attendees have expressed interest in adopting.
With three children of their own, Chapman and his wife, Mary Beth, have doubled the size of their family by adopting three daughters from China. In March 2000, they adopted Shaohannah, who is now 5. Three years later, they brought home Stevey Joy, now 2, and in the summer of 2004, they adopted Maria Sue, age 1.
The Chapmans oldest daughter Emily is a freshman at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. They also have two sons, Caleb (13) and Will (12).
Chapman says that ‘reaching out’ in this way, more than any other in his life, has caused him to ‘reach in.’
“My pastor was recently teaching on the things we do in response to the needs around us,” Chapman said. “In the Bible, James encouraged believers to care for orphans and widows, and Jesus said, ‘As you’ve done these things to the least of these, you’ve done them for me.’ Obeying God in this way changes our lives.
“What’s overwhelming for me is walking through orphanages in China, and knowing that there are 34 million orphans. But my pastor said, ‘If we really believe that there is a day coming when God will make all things new, then what we do — the reason we adopt one child or sponsor a child in this case — is to show the world a picture of the Gospel, to give the world a preview of what is to come.’ We do it in faith and in hope of the day that is coming.”
This tour is being referred to as one of the biggest Christian concerts of the year, as arenas around the country are selling out. Along with Chapman, the tour features special guests Casting Crowns and Chris Tomlin.
“This tour is so special, and the heart behind it is incredible,” Tomlin said. “We’re so honored and blessed to be a part of it. With Steven’s ministry to orphans, Shaohannah’s Hope, that’s just massive.
“Through this tour, we want to challenge people to put their faith into action and to really be about the things that Jesus wanted us to be about… loving people, loving our neighbors as ourselves and loving God.”
At each concert, Mark Hall (lead singer for Casting Crowns) meets with local youth pastors during intermission. Hall is a youth pastor at Eagle’s Landing First Baptist Church in McDonough, Georgia. Casting Crowns began as the student worship band for First Baptist Church of Daytona Beach, Florida.
At the end of the concert, there is an altar call and commitment time.
“Our hope is that people are encouraged from this tour,” Tomlin said. “We want people to know that God cares about them. When people leave the concert, we want them to have a sense that, ‘Wow, I got a glimpse of glory. I got a glimpse of the presence of the Lord.’ Hopefully, people are leaving the concert wanting to know God more.”
Leann Callaway is a Dallas-based freelance writer.
