Iconic Christian singer Steven Curtis Chapman, who has long been a fixture in Gospel circles, started his music-making journey as a teenager after encountering powerful messages in the Bible.
“[I] didn’t start writing songs thinking, ‘Hey, maybe I can have a career in this,'” Chapman recently told CBN’s Faithwire. “I started writing songs in high school because I had read some things in the Bible that were really sort of stirring in me, and I thought, ‘I want to process that. I want to talk to somebody about that.'”
Decades later, the singer continues to bring audiences closer to God through powerful performances.
Currently touring America on his “An Evening With Steven Curtis Chapman” concert series, Chapman said his tour dates offer a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with fans who have followed him over his 35-year career.
Watch him discuss his faith, life, and career:
The singer said he is particularly grateful to keep making music that connects people with the Lord.
“The music I am blessed to get to write and share has this incredible forward-remembering of what’s to come, and the promises of God and the hope we need so much right now,” Chapman said. “Never have we needed it more, I feel like, in our world. The pandemic and all the unrest and now war going on in our world.”
Chapman said he’s nowhere near finished despite logging nearly four decades in music. In fact, he’s recording a new album in addition to his touring schedule.
“As long as I’m breathing, I think songs are going to come,” he said. “I’m going to want to have that conversation with people and be able to think, ‘Here’s what I’m thinking, here’s what … I’m being encouraged with.”
While Chapman’s central message has remained unchanged, his reach has undoubtedly intensified. He recalled making his first album 35 years ago and setting out on tour in an old Dodge van he and his dad converted into a tour bus.
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“It took about as much oil as it did gas to get it down the road,” he quipped. “My wife was the sound woman, did all the film … she pressed play on the cassette for my backup music.”
Today, the situation looks a bit different with Chapman traveling with a much larger caravan and playing to bigger crowds. But the focus on Jesus remains unchanged.
As for Chapman’s new music, he admitted he’s a bit insecure about how audiences will react. He wonders if fans simply want to enjoy his older classics — or if people will be open to new messages.
“I’ve had a lot of insecurity … at this point in my journey,” Chapman said. “Are they interested in hearing, ‘Hey, I’ve had a new thought?'”
The singer’s vulnerability and faith were inspiring to explore. Watch our interview with Chapman for more on his faith, life, and music.
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