- PLEASE PRAY -

steven curtis chapman’s youngest child died wednesday evening after being struck by a car driven by her teenage brother in the driveway of the family’s williamson county home - maria, one of the christian singer’s six children, was taken by lifeflight to vanderbilt hospital, which confirmed the death, according to laura mcpherson, a spokeswoman for the tennessee highway patrol - "the 5-year-old was hit by an SUV driven by her teenage brother", she said - police didn't give the driver’s name - "the teen was driving a toyota land cruiser down the driveway of the rural home at about 5:30pm & several children were playing in the area", mcpherson said - "he didn't see maria in the driveway before the vehicle struck her", she said - “it appears to be a terrible accident & no charges are expected", mcpherson said - "the accident was witnessed by two other children & the entire family was home at the time", mcpherson said

`

singer/songwriter chapman, who recently was inducted into music city walk of fame, is one of contemporary christian music’s most recognizable & most awarded names - he & his wife mary beth have long been supporters of international adoption, having brought three girls from china into their family - maria was the youngest - the couple's so active in the cause that they formed an organization, shaohannah’s hope, to aid families wanting to adopt - with his latest music tour, which came through nashville in november, chapman started a campaign called “change for orphans” - he asked audience members at each stop to bring spare change to the concert, where it was counted & given to a local family to aid in their adoption process - “i don’t know of anybody who loves his children more than he does & is so committed to the adoption concept, & to lose one, no matter what the circumstances, is heartbreaking beyond all comprehension”, said john styll, president of the nashville-based gospel music association - “he talks about his kids all the time - that’s his life - his kids are more important to him than music, that’s for sure”

`

the tragedy was announced during wednesday-night services at harpeth hills church of christ, which the family attends - maria had just graduated from the church preschool & word spread throughout the tight-knit christian music community on wednesday evening - styll got the news not long after maria’s death - “i’m confident i can speak for everyone in the community to say we'll do everything we can to support this family, as we'd do at any time, but especially at a time like this”, he said

`

most of the chapman family was at vanderbilt children’s hospital after the accident & couldn't be contacted - the long, gravel driveway leading to the home west of franklin was blocked off by williamson county sheriff’s deputies

(left to right: will franklin, maria, steven, shaoey, mary beth, stevey joy, caleb & emily)