FameCrawler : christian music

Steven Curtis Chapman "Healing" from Death of Daughter

sweatpantsmom — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 17:05:00 GMT

At Sunday night's Grammy awards, Christian singer Steven Curtis Chapman made his first red carpet appearance since the tragic death of his 5-year-old daughter Maria Sue in April.

Chapman, nominated for best pop/contemporary Gospel album, told People magazine that his family is "beginning to feel some healing taking place."

Walking the the carpet with son Will, 18, who was behind the wheel of the car that accidentally struck and killed Maria, Chapman said, "I think from both of our perspectives, we've kind of in a place where ... there's this hole in our heart and in our soul. That’s going to be there until we see Maria again.

"But we're able to, at least I am, to look at pictures and watch videos of her and it's not as suffocating as it was. It's not just where you can't even breathe. It's getting to where I can have sweet memories.

"There's a lot I can't explain, there's a lot we don't understand. But I really do believe we're proving out everything we believe and God's healing our hearts."

But despite the tragedy Chapman has had some reason to celebrate as well - daughter Emily was married in October, and oldest son Caleb is planning his upcoming nuptials at which Will will serve as best man. "It's going to be a small wedding and a big reception," the elder Chapman says. "They're really excited."

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Amy Grant Teaching Her Kids to Have Manners...How Novel

Karl Erikson — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:39:00 GMT

Amy Grant has been in the music business for a long time. This year is her 30th in show business, in fact. The Queen of Christian Pop is 47 now and married to country superstar Vince Gill, 51, and they have a 7-year-old daughter together. Grant and Gill also have children from their previous marriages.

In her interview with BeliefNet, Amy talks about a great many things, including advice for today's female celbs, depression, and her marriage. One thing that seems really odd in this day and age is her determination to raise her children with this weird little thing called respect.

"It really starts with the older people under the roof to raise the bar and be respectful. You cannot yell at your children and expect them to treat you with respect. That's really the challenge and the blessing of trying to invest good things in your family."

No yelling at children? That leaves smacking them in the mouth, I suppose.

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How We're Dealing With Our Loss: Steven Curtis Chapman

trix — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 19:04:00 GMT

The Chapman family has, over the last couple of months, been dealing with a tragedy that no parent should ever have to deal with, the death of a child. I have two kids myself, and I can't even think about the possibility of something happening to them. I believe that all parents would agree that they feel the same way.

Steven Curtis Chapman visited "Good Morning America" and shared with us how his family is coping and the challenges they face on a day to day basis.

“My son said the other day, ‘We are a family … of great faith. But we’re a family with a lot of questions.’ But that’s what faith is. It’s living with the questions. It doesn’t mean you have the answers,” the Christian singer said on "Good Morning America."

Steve admitted one of his greatest challenges is mourning the loss of his daughter while consoling his remaining five children.

“While we are grieving … there is a hope that we’re anchored to, in the midst of just what sometimes seems unbearable.”

I can't imagine the pain they are going through and the sadness the are feeling. My heart goes out to the family.

Maria will never be forgotten.

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$275,000 Donated In Wake of Maria Sue Chapman's Death

Sassy Smith — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 12:10:00 GMT

Maria Sue, 5, daughter of Christian singer Steven Curtis Chapman, passed away on May 21 after being accidently hit by a SUV driven by her older brother. And in the wake of her passing, people have generously given to Shaohannah's Hope, the non-profit organization founded by the Chapman family to provide adoption assistance to families and children who need it. The Chapmans adopted three daughters from China, including little Maria. The family asked that in lieu of flowers, donations could be sent to Shaohannah's Hope for Maria's Miracle Fund in honor of their daughter.

Executive director Scott Hasenbalg said, “It’s really, obviously, secondary to the mourning that is going on, but we know that this ministry will be a source of healing for the Chapmans as we carry out the mission. The outpouring of support has been incredible and we’re grateful.

“We know it will be put to good use because the stakes are too high not to,” he says.

“We are now rolling up our sleeves and beginning to work hard so we don’t miss out on ensuring that we are good stewards of the money that people have so generously given to us.”

Everyone, including staff of the organization and ministry are grieving.

“We are all just trying to put one foot in front of another. Maria was like a little sister to many of us. We have a culture of family within our ministry. We want to honor her. We want to honor God and we want to honor the Chapman family and really go from success to significance because Maria's life was significant to all of us."

The Chapman family, with the help of the board of directors, will best decide how to spend the donations.

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Statement From Steven Curtis Chapman Family

Funeral For Little Maria Chapman & Pastor Releases Statement

Maria Sue Chapman Fund To Help Orphaned Children

Sassy Smith — Sat, 24 May 2008 21:09:00 GMT

Even in the wake of a family tragedy, Steven Curtis Chapman wants to help others and bring orphaned children to loving families, who are wanting to open their arms to a child in need. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any gifts be donated to the site in his daughter's name - Maria's Miracle Fund.

This story is so heartbreaking, the loss of a sweet 5-year-old girl, yet the Chapman family has a strong faith in God and I'm certain they will pull through and be stronger for it, albeit changed forever.

They are a family, although grieving, who are intent on helping others. For more information on Maria's Miracle Fund, click here. If you would simply like to leave a message of condolence to the Chapmans, you can do so here.

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Statement From Steven Curtis Chapman Family

Funeral For Little Maria Chapman & Pastor Releases Statement

Sassy Smith — Fri, 23 May 2008 18:03:00 GMT

The world doesn't seem right when a child dies. Five year old Maria Chapman, daughter of gospel singer Steven Curtis Chapman, passed away after being struck by a vehicle driven by her older brother. The Chapman's pastor, Scotty Smith told CBN News that the outpouring of love and support for the family is overwhelming and spoke of the grief the family is experiencing. Of the son who hit Maria he said:

"He understandably is just devastated. Their beautiful home has a couple of bends in the road. It just was totally an accident and this young man's heart is crushed."

Mr. Smith has been a friend of the family's for over 20 years. He urges people not to forget Maria's brother in their prayers.

"I encourage all to just redouble their prayers. because we all can predict how the enemy will try and whisper in his heart," he said.

Visitation for Maria will start today, May 23 at the Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville. Her memorial service will be held Saturday, May 24 at 11 a.m.

I hope Maria's brother can forgive himself and know that he has thousands upon thousands of people praying for him.

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Daughter of Steven Curtis Chapman Hit, Killed By Car

Video of Maria Sue Chapman Posted By Family

Statement From Steven Curtis Chapman Family

Sassy Smith — Fri, 23 May 2008 02:33:00 GMT

Steven Curtis Chapman and wife Mary Beth are grieving the loss of their precious daughter, Maria Sue Chapman. Chapman's manager, Jim Houser, has released the following statement on behalf of the family:

“Maria Sue Chapman, adopted and youngest daughter to Mary Beth and Steven Curtis Chapman, was killed in a tragic accident in the family driveway on Wednesday evening. She was LifeFlighted to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital but for only reasons God can explain she went home to Him ... not to Franklin as we all so desperately wanted.

"Your prayers are needed for all in the Chapman family. This is a family who has so generously loved and given to so many. Just hours before this close knit family was celebrating the engagement of the oldest daughter Emily Chapman, and were just hours away from a graduation party marking Caleb Chapman's completion of high school. Now, they are preparing to bury a child who blew out 5 candles on a birthday cake less than 10 days ago. These words are unthinkable to type. And yet we trust in a God who was not surprised by this and because of Jesus I am certain through faith in Him we will see Maria again.”

Rest in peace little Maria.

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Video of Maria Sue Chapman Posted By Family

sweatpantsmom — Fri, 23 May 2008 00:40:00 GMT

A video of Christian star Steven Curtis Chapman's 5-year old daughter Maria was posted by the family on Thursday. Maria Sue Chapman was killed in a tragic car accident on Wednesday after being accidentally hit by an SUV driven by her brother.

I have to admit I had never heard of Chapman before I read this tragic story yesterday. But I don't think anyone can watch this video of a vibrant Maria Sue and her obviously devoted father and not feel incredibly sad.

A blog for condolences for the Chapman family has been created here.

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Daughter of Steven Curtis Chapman Hit, Killed By Car

sweatpantsmom — Thu, 22 May 2008 04:43:00 GMT

The five-year-old daughter of gospel star Steven Curtis Chapman was struck and killed Wednesday by a car driven by her brother, MSNBC is reporting.

The girl, Maria, was struck in the driveway of the family's home Wednesday afternoon by a Toyota Land Cruiser driven by her teenage brother who apparently didn't see the girl. She later died from her injuries at a local hospital.

Several family members witnessed the accident, which occurred in Williamson County, just south of Nashville.

Grammy Award-winning Chapman and his wife were dedicated to promoting international adoption and have three daughters from China, including Maria. The couple also have three biological children.

Our thoughts go out to the Chapman family.

See a moving video of Chapman and his daughter Maria here.