Sparrow Records’ artist and five-time GRAMMY® Award winner Steven Curtis Chapman recently returned to the United States after a groundbreaking international tour where he performed for more than 60,000 including six sold-out dates in Australia, New Zealand, China, Philippines, Hong Kong, South Korea and Singapore, which included crowd numbers exceeding capacity at the Singapore Rock Auditorium. Along with the seven-country tour, Chapman performed five concerts for U.S. troops based in South Korea. This historical performance was the first Christian concert for the troops based there.

Chapman and the band members at the Great Wall of China

“In many aspects this tour and visit reminded me of how enormous God is and yet how as believers we truly are a family, a body of Christ working together on the other side of the world even when we do not speak the same language,” expresses Chapman about his recent travels.

Playing for his international fan base, which continues to grow with new fans, thanks to the Top 10 radio single from his new release in Thailand (“The Blessing” No. 1) and in Hong Kong, Chapman’s popularity continues to spread worldwide. The tour was showcased at the Beijing Hard Rock Café as well as a sell-out debut performance at Shanghai Pudong Oriental Arts Center Hall, where his performance was one of the three largest concerts of the spring in Shanghai (one being the Rolling Stones’ who recently performed at Shanghai stadium) and the first public performance by a Gospel recording artist event in the city open to China passport holders.

The showcase at the Hard Rock Café in Beijing

“This was a dream of mine that was born when we adopted Shaoey,” Chapman shares about his performance in China. “Six years ago I knew that someday I wanted to go to China to share my music with this country, and it was a blessing to see God provide this opportunity despite the obstacles that were at hand.”

In addition to the tour, Steven Curtis Chapman and his sons were invited to perform at the Hong Kong Stadium for the Global Day of Prayer where 35,000 Christians gathered on June 4th to engage in prayer with more than 200 countries across the world.

Participating at the Global Day of Prayer in Hong Kong

“This trip had such a sense of eternity to me. Doors that have never been opened were knocked down for artists to pass through for years to come. I really had an amazing sense that God was just beginning something, a whole ‘All Things New’.”

Following the 20-city life-changing tour, Chapman was joined by his wife Mary Beth and their six children in Beijing, where they visited and worked in area orphanages around China. Currently, the Chapmans through their foundation, Shaohannah’s Hope are planning “China Vision Trips” for 2007 to bring key individuals and leaders to see the need first hand. This fall, Chapman will head into the studio to start recording for his 2007 release.

Performing at one of the orphanages

In the meantime, Sparrow Records will be releasing Chapman’s The Early Years on August 15th. This collection will value priced at $9.99 at Christian retailers across Canada.

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