It’s with great sadness, that TSS brings you the news of the tragic passing of Christian Singer/Songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman’s youngest adopted daughter, Maria.

We won’t be reporting the details, but you can read more about it and learn how you can offer your condolences or support here.

Steven Curtis Chapman was probably one of the most influential Christian artists of my youth. Above and beyond that, his family’s commitment over the years to the cause of world wide orphans has touched me on not only an emotional level, but a personal one as well. I have an incredibly awesome little cousin who wouldn’t be part of my family were it not for Chapman’s Shaohannah’s Hope foundation and the grant they provided to bring him into our country and family. Chapman lives what he preaches about helping the orphaned children of the world. Maria was one of Chapman’s three adopted daughters from China.

At times like this, we often ask ourselves “why?” or “for what purpose was this tragedy?” All I try to remember is that God gives “beauty for ashes, strength for fear, gladness for mourning, and peace for despair.”

Our prayers are with the Chapman family.