My heart is breaking tonight for the Chapmans. Just a few weeks ago I was blessed to meet Steven at GMA Week
as he spoke at our Artist Symposium about his passion for missions and
adoption. I can't say enough good things about him - his love for his
children, his family,
missions, and "the least of these" was so evident and moving. I can't
bear to think of the pain his family is enduring right now.

How do you deal with such a senseless tragedy? In an instant, this whole family's world was changed forever.

I'm reminded of the song by Natalie Grant- "Held".

May
we
"mourn with those who mourn" and lift them up in prayer for comfort and
peace. Please pray for each member of the Chapman family and for those
in community with them - that they would be encouraged and supported
during this difficult time. Pray too that God's name would be made
great even in the midst
of such tragedy.



May God hold each of the Chapmans close in His arms tonight.

By KATE HOWARD and LINDA ZETTLER • Staff Writers

• May 21, 2008

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Steven Curtis Chapman's youngest child died Wednesday afternoon
after being struck by a car driven by her teenage brother in the
driveway of the family's Williamson County home.

Maria, one of
the Christian singer's six children, was taken by LifeFlight to
Vanderbilt Hospital, which confirmed the death, according to Laura
McPherson, a spokeswoman for the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

The 5-year-old was hit by an SUV driven by her teenage brother, she said. Police did not give the driver's name.

The
teen was driving a Toyota Land Cruiser down the driveway of the rural
home at about 5:30 p.m. and several children were playing in the area,
McPherson said. He did not see Maria in the driveway before the vehicle
struck her, she said.

"It appears to be a terrible accident,'' McPherson said.

No
charges are expected, she said. The accident was witnessed by two other
children; the entire family was home at the time, McPherson said.

Singer/songwriter
Chapman, who recently was inducted into Music City Walk of Fame, is one
of contemporary Christian music's most recognizable and most awarded
names.

He and his wife Mary Beth have long been supporters of
international adoption, having brought three girls from China into
their family. Maria was the youngest.

The couple is so active in the cause that they formed an organization, Shaohannah's Hope, to aid families wanting to adopt.

See the full article from The Tennessean here.