By Janet Chismar
As he stood in front of a hushed audience at Christ Community Church in Franklin, Tenn., Sunday night, November 8, 2009, he sung about her "
sweet maple kiss" and the "
dark brown eyes that disappear when she smiles."
Steven Curtis Chapman was, of course, singing about his daughter Maria who was killed tragically on May 21, 2008.
"Heaven is the Face," which is from Chapman's newly released Beauty Will Rise (Sparrow), begins by describing a father's pain in losing a daughter too young, while soaring to a chorus of incredible hope. "In my mind's eye I can see a place where Your glory fills every empty space … and there's no one left in the orphan's bed."
It was an appropriate message for Cry of the Orphan, an event and campaign designed to raise awareness for the world's 140 million orphans. Chapman has long championed the orphan's cause, not only in his own family, but through his organization, Show Hope.
Originally named after the Chapman's first adopted daughter, Shaohannah Hope Chapman, Show Hope has grown far beyond the initial vision. "We have had a front row seat to watch miracle after miracle happen, coming straight from the heart of God, the Father to the fatherless," said Chapman in a pre-concert interview. "It has been an amazing thing to be part of. Show Hope has exploded, and now we get to partner with these guys to do something like tonight."
The "guys" Chapman refers to include Dennis Rainey with Family Life, Jim Daly with Focus on the Family, Jedd Medefind with the Christian Alliance for Orphans, and fellow musician Geoff Moore.
Also an adoptive father, Moore shared that his heart was forever changed after adopting two little girls from China. Although initially reluctant to adopt at the age of 40 and with two teenage sons, God opened his heart through prayer. Now, Moore is one of Show Hope's biggest advocates.
"The call to care for orphans is for everybody," he said. "My hope is that when you as an individual say, ‘God has called me to care for an orphan,' whatever station in life you are in, whatever financial strata, whatever your time, there is an outlet for you. So, go do it, then watch how generous God is to love you back."
Moore's performance, along with that of Chapman and the Children of the World Choir, provided the perfect mix of poignancy, inspiration and joy.
