Faith Lifts Chapman In Wake Of Tragedy

Christian Music Star Steven Curtis Chapman Honors His Daughter Who Was Killed In Accident

(CBS)  Christian music star Steven Curtis Chapman has never needed his faith more than now.

Sadly, it was tested when tragedy struck his family last spring.

His daughter, Maria, was accidentally killed by his 17-year-old son, Will, who mistakenly and tragically struck his 5-year-old sister with their SUV.

Early Show co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez spoke with Chapman about his faith, heartache and music.

For a while, it seemed that Chapman's career was in doubt, but he and his family found strength through their faith. He is now channeling his faith and the love of his family through his music.

This May, Chapman and wife Mary Beth joined family and friends at a memorial service for Maria, their youngest child.

"I had no idea what God had in store for us," Chapman said at the memorial service. "Losing a child -- this really is holy ground as I've ever stood on. We know she's in that big amazing house."

Faith has long been the core of the Chapman family.

Chapman, who has written some of Christian music's most popular songs and won numerous awards, finds his best audience to be his family.

When there isn't a crowd at all, the music still plays.

A video was shown of Chapman washing dishes and playing the guitar with Maria, who like her father was quite the performer.

Maria was adopted into the Chapman family from China along with her two older sisters. The Chapmans have three biological children, Emily, Caleb and Will. All of the children have been an inspiration for Chapman's music.

The song "Cinderella" was written for his growing younger daughters and Emily, who will soon be married.

"Cinderella" was moving up the charts and Chapman was experiencing the highlight of his two-decade career when Maria was tragically killed.

Chapman's eldest son, Caleb, recalled the day Maria died at the memorial service when his dad held Maria as she took some of her last breaths.

Caleb also spoke about the importance of holding on to his brother, in the moments after the accident and now as the family continues to mourn and move forward.

Emily, who will be married next month also spoke at the memorial service and talked about how much Maria was looking forward to the wedding.

"Maria cared deeply about how I responded to the proposal. I told her 'I said yes and I need you to be a flower girl on Oct. 4, OK? We've got to start practicing.' And in case you guys haven't heard, she's being buried today in her flower girl dress. She is a flower girl," Emily said.

Although it is still tremendously difficult to relive that moment and watch the footage of the memorial service, Chapman gets through the pain with his faith.

"It's really been a lot of pain, but it's also reliving a lot of the hope that's pulling us together and keeping us breathing as a family, and thanks for including that and letting my family be heard from. Because that's the hard part about being here," Chapman said.

"I'm thankful you got to hear from the whole family. It's been amazing to see how God has given us strength not just from me and my wife, but our whole family together. So many people praying for us and loving us all over the world. So wherever you are, thank you for that. Thank you so much for your prayers and your encouragement," Chapman said.

Chapman has been writing some instrumental music for Emily to walk down the aisle to and his son Caleb is going to sing the song as he does the father-daughter dance.

"It's going to be an amazing day. Obviously there's going to be sadness connected with it. We've working with that Emily and Tanner together, how do we acknowledge and honor the pain and the sadness but the hope. It's going to be a great day of redemption for us. Maria is watching. We're going see Maria again. We're going to dance with Maria again. She's certainly going to be there in spirit. Obviously, our hearts are broken and this is what it looks like to live with broken, but very hope-filled hearts," he said.

The Chapman family established a foundation called
Shaohannah's Hope & Maria's Miracle Fund, which helps families who are looking to adopt to overcome financial barriers.

So far the Chapmans have raised more than $700,000.

Donations can be made to the fund in memory of Maria Chapman by mail and can be sent to Shaohannah's Hope, c/o Maria's Miracle Fund, PO Box 647, Franklin TN, 37065.

[gremchkemica]

Thank you for having Steven Curtis and Caleb Chapman on this morning. This is the first time I have ever watched your show and I was impressed with your willingness to let SCC speak freely about his faith. I have met Steven several times. He''s the real deal. A very humble, gracious and generous man. A beautiful family as well.

[sportgal77]

What a blessing to have another chance to see Steven Curtis Chapman talk about his faith! Thank you for hosting he and Caleb this morning as they shared their sweet family with us.

[iamblessed3]

Thank you for having Steven Curtis and Caleb Chapman on this morning and for the willingness to let him speak freely about his faith.

[psalm981cj]

Thank you for having the Chapman Family today.

I had recently heard about a SCC concert and he had expressed how that song, "Blessed be the Name of the Lord...You Give and Take Away....Blessed Be YOUR NAME." This song together with todays telecast has just blessed me beyond words can say. This family is an example of how strong their faith in God is to keep them together. I have never had the priveldge of going to his concerts but have always loved his music.

Chapman Family, God bless you all and keep you strong in and through HIM!

[leener4]

Thank you for having Steven Curtis Chapman and Caleb appear on your show this morning. I and I''m sure many others out there appreciate how you let them freely express their faith and hope in God and to share this hope with so many people. Your piece was very honouring to this family, to Maria and most importantly to God. Thank you for this great and well thought out segment!

[tjbmom2all]

Thank you so much for having Steven and Caleb on your show today and for allowing Steven to share his faith in dealing with this tragedy. I had heard they would be on but had to work this morning, so I looked your show up on the internet so I could watch the segment. You did a beautiful job and showed great compassion. I also think it was very courageous of Steven to sing that song after all he and his family has been through but I am glad that he did. God bless you.

[lion_king26]

Although our constitution guarantees free speech, it seems that most references to God and Christianity get either watered down or eliminated. THANK YOU for having the courage and the compassion to let this amazing man of God speak and sing today. This is the first time I have ever tuned in to this program, and I was impressed both by the Steven Curtis Chapman interview and by the quality of the work that your newscasters gave. Thank you!

[chyenna-2009]

This is the first time I have seen all comments Pro God and Faith. It saddens me when individuals attack the lord. I''m truly saddened because of the tragedy that struck this family. But it is so awesome to hear how the Chapman family put this tragedy into the Lord''s hands. I wish we all could have their kind of faith and love in God. Love, hope and faith, love being the greates of all. The Chapmans will be in my prayers this morning and I will thank God they shared their story with us. Remember the old song "what the world needs now is love sweet love?" Love from God, Loving God and loving each other. Amen

[barbaraf4]

A remarkable story. A beautiful family. I have loved his music for many years. The gift of adoption funds is a wonderful memorial. I have known people who adopted from China and it runs $50K per child.

God bless you, Steven. May the Lord shine His light on the face of Maria. We know that God and Maria have forgiven Will. Please let Will find the way to forgive himself.

[bflipps]

Great piece on the Chapmans. Even for those who don''t share SCC''s beliefs, the fact that faith has brought them through with hope is encouraging. I hope others in similar situations get as much support as this family has received.

[bolivia00]

I have been listening to SCC''s music for over 15 yeara and have been to many of his concerts. I know first hand that he is as geunine and kind as they come. My heart goes out to this dear family as they handle the grief of losing a child (I too have lost a child). I am so thankful to the Father for the ways that He is using this tragedy to give the Chapmans a platform to speak of His love, peace and comfort. God works all things together for the good of those who love Him who are called according to His purpose.
My prayers are with the Chapmans.

[CaptJBean]

This was a very touching segment. How does one deal with the loss of a child. Especially under the circumstance Maria was loss. And, what a touching song for his daughter for her wedding.

[hop4him]

Thanks for having Steven and Caleb on your show! There are not many networks that would allow him to speak freely about the amazing grace God has given them through this tragedy. Our prayers have been and will continue to be with the Chapman family. He is an incredible witness to what God can do, if we trust in Him! Again, thanks for letting him share his story with your viewers!