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WITH CONTINUED GRATITUDE, FROM SHAOHANNAH’S HOPE
Over $500,000 Is Donated To Maria's Miracle Fund
June 19, 2008 – Nashville, TN – It was recently announced that over $310,000 had been donated in two weeks to Shaohannah’s Hope’s Maria’s Miracle Fund. This fund was set up in honor of Maria Sue Chapman, the 5-year old daughter of Steven and Mary Beth Chapman, who lost her life from a tragic accident at their home on May 21, 2008.
As of this week, over $500,000 has been donated to Maria’s Miracle Fund. There are not enough words to be able to express the deepest gratitude from the Chapman family and the Shaohannah's Hope ministry for these donations. This is an overwhelming and honorable tribute to such a spirit-filled family and a beautiful young girl. Due to the generosity of these donations, this ministry continues to give hope and support to orphans around the world to find forever families.
In the words of Scott Hasenbalg, Executive Director of Shaohannah’s Hope, “For the Maria’s Miracle Fund to surpass a half a million dollars in such a short amount of time is remarkable, especially knowing it wasn’t just one person writing one big check but rather that number represents hundreds of people demonstrating their thoughtfulness and love for the Chapmans and what we do as a ministry. We are extremely aware of the responsibility we have to carry out our mission and be a good stewards of every dollar that comes into our ministry.”
To find out more about Maria and how she became a Chapman, visit ShowHope.org and choose “Remembering Maria.” Most of all, we ask that you continue to keep the Chapman family and the Shaohannah’s Hope ministry and staff in your thoughts and prayers.
+ How you can help +
Visit: www.ShowHope.org <http://www.ShowHope.org/>
Or by mail: Shaohannah's Hope, c/o Maria's Miracle Fund, PO Box 647, Franklin TN, 37065
WITH MUCH GRATITUDE, FROM SHAOHANNAH’S HOPE
Maria’s Miracle Fund
June 10, 2008 – Nashville, TN – Shaohannah’s Hope, the adoption and orphan care ministry founded by Steven and Mary Beth Chapman, would like to extend their deepest gratitude for the generosity of prayers as well as donations offered upon the memory of Maria Sue Chapman. The enormous response has been truly overwhelming, it has not gone unnoticed, and is so graciously appreciated.
Scott Hasenbalg, the ministry’s Executive Director, states, “People have not just been praying for the Chapman family, but crying out to God for them and their healing.”
On behalf of the staff of Shaohannah’s Hope, which is based in Franklin, Tennessee, Hasenbalg continues, “While we don’t comprehend God’s ways all the time, we have a deeper sense of our responsibility to carry out the mission that began more than five years ago. We are committed to working hard together as a team to be a good steward of the support that has been poured into this ministry. We are filled with sadness for this tragedy, but also gratitude to all who has responded with their love, prayers and support.”
As previously reported, the Chapman family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations can be given in memory of Maria to Shaohannah’s Hope Maria's Miracle Fund. In less than two weeks, thousands of you have responded and over $425,000 has been raised in honor of Maria. Thanks to the generosity of these donations, the ministry of Shaohannah’s Hope continues to give hope and support to orphans around the world to find forever families. In the coming days, more information will be announced regarding the donations offered towards Maria’s Miracle Fund. There is much hope during this time of sadness.
Please continue to keep the Chapman family and the Shaohannah’s Hope ministry and staff in your prayers.
+ How to donate +
Visit: www.ShowHope.org
Or by mail: Shaohannah's Hope, c/o Maria's Miracle Fund, PO Box 647, Franklin TN, 37065
A few words from Dan Raines and Jim Houser, managers of Steven Curtis Chapman:
Dear Friends,
It has been a little over a week since the horrible accident that put Maria Chapman in Jesus’ arms. These have been dark and trying days of deep sadness. The Chapman family is struggling with grief and wrestling to come to terms with the new normal. It will be a long road. And yet, we want you to know that we see them holding on to the truth of Gospel, just as we hope we would, just as you expect they might. It is not a false strength, nor a false hope. It is authentic sorrow and true belief simultaneously.
Steven, Mary Beth and the entire Chapman extended family has asked that we thank each of you who have prayed for this family. They are overwhelmed with your good care and an unearthly strength to carry on that they believe is from your prayers sustaining them.
In addition, Scott Hasenbalg, the director of Shaohannah’s Hope, is also deeply moved by your generosity. Scott says that “In so many ways we all lost a little sister and we don’t have the words to describe how we all feel at Shaohannah’s Hope. We are overwhelmed at how many people have generously given to Maria’s Miracle Fund and we have a strong sense of the responsibility we now carry to steward the fund and the calling in a way that would honor God, Maria and the Chapman family.” Donations to Maria’s Miracle Fund already total more than $275,000. Exciting and humbling. Thank you.
Your condolences do comfort and if you’ve not yet had the opportunity to drop a note and “meet Maria” through a short video clip we’ve posted, I’d encourage you to visit the In Memory of Maria at StevenCurtisChapman.com.
In closing, it seems awkward to us that we released an album, “The Cinderella Edition” of THIS MOMENT, just days after the loss of Maria. And yet, as many of you know this edition of the album had been planned for several months, based on the success and impact of the song “Cinderella.” Perhaps, it’s more important than ever that the message of this song reach as many people as possible. May God be Glorified.
Again, we’re so grateful for your support and prayers for the Chapman family,
Dan Raines & Jim Houser
Creative Trust
MARIA SUE CHAPMAN, DAUGHTER OF STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN,
DIES IN ACCIDENT AT FAMILY HOME
NASHVILLE, TN...5/21/08... At approximately 5pm on the afternoon of Wednesday May 21st, Maria Sue Chapman, 5 years old and the youngest daughter to Steven and Mary Beth Chapman was struck in the driveway of the Chapman home in Franklin, TN. Maria was rushed to Vanderbilt Childrens Hospital in Nashville, transported by LifeFlight, but died of her injuries there. Maria is one of the close knit family’s six children and one of their three adopted daughters.
More than five years ago, Chapman and his wife MaryBeth founded The Shaohannah’s Hope Ministry after bringing their first adopted daughter, Shaohannah, home from China. The ministry’s goal is to help families reduce the financial barrier of adoption, and has provided grants to over 1700 families wishing to adopt orphans from around the world. Chapman is a five-time GRAMMY ® winner and 54-time Dove Award winning artist who has sold over 10 million albums and garnered 44 No. 1 singles
SHAOHANNAH’S HOPE PARTNERS WITH JOY FM-ST. LOUIS;
Sharathon Raises $53,904 For Special Needs Orphans In China
Nashville, TN – March 10, 2008 – Shaohannah’s Hope, the orphan care and adoption ministry founded by Steven Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman, recently partnered with JOY-FM Radio/St. Louis, raising close to $54,000 with their Sharathon partnership.
With an amazing 581 calls received from radio listeners, in just 12 hours a total of $53,906.99 was pledged for Shaohannah’s Hope. The money raised is specifically going to help care for special needs orphans in China. These funds will help finance medical expenses and surgical needs for orphans prior to being adopted, or who may never be adopted.
JOY FM-St. Louis, a station that has been making enormous efforts for its community and around the world, knew the partnership with Shaohannah’s Hope would be a perfect fit. The station already holds its own monthly different outreach projects, titled "PROJECT:JOY."
“Some monthly efforts focus on our own community while others get our listeners involved around the world,” explains Sandi Brown, General Manager for JOY FM-St. Louis, a 24- hour listener supported CCM station. “Our listeners are familiar with Steven Curtis Chapman and his passion for adoption, so we decided to focus on orphan care for special needs orphaned children through Shaohannah's Hope. The goal was to help provide care and needed surgeries for children who are often overlooked for adoption. It obviously resonated with our listeners because the phones rang for 12 straight hours!”
With JOY FM’s Sharathon success as well as last month’s concert tour stop in Houston, which raised over $16,000 for the Change For Orphans campaign, there is hope that more local radio stations, restaurants, and other businesses can recognize the success of such efforts and do their part to help make an impact for the world’s orphans.
“Considering Joy FM is a listener supported radio station, for them to give up a full day of airtime for the plight of orphans says a lot about their Christ-like values as a radio station,” comments Scott Hasenbalg, Executive Director of Shaohannah’s Hope. “I believe it delights our Father in heaven when the body of Christ works together for a common cause and we were blessed beyond our imagination.”
What Can YOU Do?
The Shaohannah’s Hope ministry cares for orphans by engaging the church and helping Christian families reduce the financial barrier to adoption. Please consider donating to Shaohannah’s Hope by visiting www.shaohannahshope.org and click the Donate Now button. Thank you!
For more information re: Shaohannah’s Hope, please contact:
Stacie A. Vining, Vining Media Relations
p/f. 615.781.0016 / c. 615.260.4679
e. ViningMedia@comcast.net
www.shaohannahshope.org
| COMPASSIONART HOSTS MULTIPLE GRAMMY, DOVE AWARD WINNING ARTISTS AT INTERNATIONAL
SONGWRITER’S RETREAT JAN. 7 – 11 IN SCOTLAND UK
Songs To Be Forever Donated To Help the Poorest of the Poor
Unprecedented Retreat Features, Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, Chris Tomlin, Darlene Zschech, Matt and Beth Redman, Tim Hughes, Paul Baloche, Israel Houghton, Graham Kendrick, Andy Park, Stu Garrard and Martin Smith from Delirious?
(Littlehampton, England) December 3, 2007 – Compassionart is hosting internationally recognized songwriters Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, Chris Tomlin, Darlene Zschech, Matt and Beth Redman, Tim Hughes, Paul Baloche, Israel Houghton, Graham Kendrick, Andy Park, Martin Smith and Stu Garrard (Delirious?), at a gathering in Perthshire, Scotland Jan. 7 – 11. 2008. The songwriters’ unprecedented goal is to collectively write 10-12 songs that will be given to the world not just to sing, but to raise money for the relief of suffering around the planet. Together these songwriters account for at least 42 million albums sold, 82 No. 1 songs, nine GRAMMY Awards, 110 Dove Awards, two Stellar Awards, two American Music Awards, and 98 current CCLI Top 500 songs sung by millions in churches around the world. Now, for the first time ever, the songwriters offer their time and talents with one voice to make a stand.
One hundred percent of the proceeds derived from the songs written at the Compassionart retreat will go directly to charity. One half of the monies will go to the songwriters’ charity of choice, and the other 50% will go to a charitable project agreed upon by all the songwriters involved.
“Over the last few years I have had the privilege of traveling to some of the poorest parts of the world and seeing first hand the plight of humanity,” says Martin Smith, Delirious? frontman and Compassionart founder who is organizing the retreat along with his wife, Anna. “As a song writer and a person with a microphone I made a promise to try and do something about it. What better than to call on my friends and do something together. To be people that can make a change rather than just singing about it.”
Remarkably, the songwriters, publishers, managers, copyright institutes and agents involved have all waived their rights and are donating their efforts on this project to Compassionart, a charity based in Littlehampton, England and dedicated to seeing works of art generate income for the poorest of the poor. And this is not a one-time offering or marketing ploy, but an ongoing effort for charity derived over the songs’ lifetimes.
“They have all waived their rights to see something historic happen- the music business coming together for something great, greater than any individual could achieve,” continues Smith.
The participating songwriters echo their enthusiasm for Compassionart and what it hopes to accomplish:
“I am so grateful to be a part of Compassionart and extremely optimistic of what will come of it. The motivation of this week and all involved so resonates with my heart in regards to the poor. Isaiah 58 is the passage that I go to now more than any other, knowing that if we feed the poor, satisfy the needs of the oppressed and reach out to the downtrodden, the Lord will indeed make His face shine upon us.”
-- Michael W. Smith
“I’m eagerly anticipating this time! Coming together for this time of writing with the purpose of helping the poor and oppressed is an honor. Whenever I’ve had a chance to be with orphans around the world, what many would call the least of the least, God makes it so clear to me that He has not forgotten them, that He is for them and calls them His dearly loved children. I’m praying that this time and collection of people that Martin and Anna Smith have helped call together will be greatly used by God for His glory. And I’m very hopeful that the songs He gives will draw attention to and help those desperately in need.”
-- Steven Curtis Chapman
“I know that Compassionart is in the heart of God. I am so honored and thrilled to be a part of it. What an amazing gathering of people and songwriters. I sense that God is going to release His heart on new songs.”
-- Chris Tomlin
“Compassionart is definitely here in the timing of God, and there is nothing that stirs His heart like bringing relief to human suffering. Worship and Justice has always been a heaven combination, and Mark and I are completely committed to Martin and Anna and their passion to see the fulfillment of this dream come to pass. So, we enter this season of writing and dreaming with great excitement and a deep sense of responsibility. Put this together with the great bonus of spending a week with some of the people we admire most in the world.... Cannot wait.”
-- Darlene Zschech
“We’ve all talked for years about going deeper in worship - and that though music is such a wonderful expression, we must ultimately go beyond writing songs. This new venture is a great demonstration of that heart. Compassion and art - what a great mix.”
-- Matt Redman
“I’m really excited about this opportunity to come together with gifted and inspired songwriters from around the world. Who knows what God might do as we lay down our agendas and work together to write and create God inspired songs that beat with His heart for justice.”
-- Tim Hughes
“I’m grateful to be part of such a powerful ‘Kingdom’ event. What a beautiful vision to combine art, compassion, and justice in hopes of displaying the heart of God to the world. ‘How good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell [and write songs of worship] together in unity...for there the Lord bestows a blessing.’ (Ps.133) I love the idea of us serving others through song, without seeking anything in return. Let’s be praying that God will bless our efforts as we humbly trust Him for inspiration and favor.”
-- Paul Baloche
“I am excited at the possibilities of this creative collaboration - not only to bring to birth some great songs that make the praises of God audible, but to help birth projects and release resources that make the love of God tangible to those most vulnerable – the children.”
-- Graham Kendrick
“The idea of writing songs that will benefit the needy and broken people of our world really excites me. Gathering with a group of seasoned songwriters to write for the worldwide church and for charity promises to be a great week of fellowship and co-working for the kingdom of God. I’m really looking forward to our time together.”
-- Andy Park
“I think what Martin and Anna are doing with Compassionart is brilliant. I’m honored to be involved and in some small way make a difference by doing something I love.”
-- Stu Garrard
For more information on the Compassionart songwriter’s retreat, go to http://www.compassionart.co.uk/ |
“I’m grateful to be part of such a powerful ‘Kingdom’ event. What a beautiful vision to combine art, compassion, and justice in hopes of displaying the heart of God to the world. ‘How good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell [and write songs of worship] together in unity...for there the Lord bestows a blessing.’ (Ps.133) I love the idea of us serving others through song, without seeking anything in return. Let’s be praying that God will bless our efforts as we humbly trust Him for inspiration and favor.”
-- Paul Baloche
“I am excited at the possibilities of this creative collaboration - not only to bring to birth some great songs that make the praises of God audible, but to help birth projects and release resources that make the love of God tangible to those most vulnerable – the children.”
-- Graham Kendrick
“The idea of writing songs that will benefit the needy and broken people of our world really excites me. Gathering with a group of seasoned songwriters to write for the worldwide church and for charity promises to be a great week of fellowship and co-working for the kingdom of God. I’m really looking forward to our time together.”
-- Andy Park
“I think what Martin and Anna are doing with Compassionart is brilliant. I’m honored to be involved and in some small way make a difference by doing something I love.”
-- Stu Garrard
Remarkably, the songwriters, publishers, managers, copyright institutes and agents involved have all waived their rights and are donating their efforts on this project to Compassionart, a charity based in Littlehampton, England and dedicated to seeing works of art generate income for the poorest of the poor. And this is not a one-time offering or marketing ploy, but an ongoing effort for charity derived over the songs’ lifetimes.
“They have all waived their rights to see something historic happen- the music business coming together for something great, greater than any individual could achieve,” continues Smith.
The participating songwriters echo their enthusiasm for Compassionart and what it hopes to accomplish:
“I am so grateful to be a part of Compassionart and extremely optimistic of what will come of it. The motivation of this week and all involved so resonates with my heart in regards to the poor. Isaiah 58 is the passage that I go to now more than any other, knowing that if we feed the poor, satisfy the needs of the oppressed and reach out to the downtrodden, the Lord will indeed make His face shine upon us.”
-- Michael W. Smith
“I’m eagerly anticipating this time! Coming together for this time of writing with the purpose of helping the poor and oppressed is an honor. Whenever I’ve had a chance to be with orphans around the world, what many would call the least of the least, God makes it so clear to me that He has not forgotten them, that He is for them and calls them His dearly loved children. I’m praying that this time and collection of people that Martin and Anna Smith have helped call together will be greatly used by God for His glory. And I’m very hopeful that the songs He gives will draw attention to and help those desperately in need.”
-- Steven Curtis Chapman
“I know that Compassionart is in the heart of God. I am so honored and thrilled to be a part of it. What an amazing gathering of people and songwriters. I sense that God is going to release His heart on new songs.”
-- Chris Tomlin
“Compassionart is definitely here in the timing of God, and there is nothing that stirs His heart like bringing relief to human suffering. Worship and Justice has always been a heaven combination, and Mark and I are completely committed to Martin and Anna and their passion to see the fulfillment of this dream come to pass. So, we enter this season of writing and dreaming with great excitement and a deep sense of responsibility. Put this together with the great bonus of spending a week with some of the people we admire most in the world.... Cannot wait.”
-- Darlene Zschech
“We’ve all talked for years about going deeper in worship - and that though music is such a wonderful expression, we must ultimately go beyond writing songs. This new venture is a great demonstration of that heart. Compassion and art - what a great mix.”
-- Matt Redman
“I’m really excited about this opportunity to come together with gifted and inspired songwriters from around the world. Who knows what God might do as we lay down our agendas and work together to write and create God inspired songs that beat with His heart for justice.”
-- Tim Hughes
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