As part of a national adoption awareness campaign, Grammy-award winning Contemporary Christian artist, Steven Curtis Chapman performed a song with a group of children who have been adopted or who are available for adoption at the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center December 17th.
Fifteen children from various counties in Alabama spent time with Mr. Chapman during rehearsal and sound check prior to the concert. The children also visited with Mr. Chapman as he autographed their personal copy of his new Christmas C.D.
The evening was very exciting for all of the children as well as the parents, foster parents, and social workers who accompanied the children to the concert. It was certainly a time that none of those involved will soon forget.
During his Christmas tour with Mercy Me, Mr. Chapman is highlighting the need for more families to adopt both internationally and domestically - particularly through the foster care system. "All I Really Want" is a song from his recently released Christmas C.D. The lyrics of the song certainly convey to the listener a foster child’s desire to have a forever family.
Mr. Chapman and his wife, Mary Beth have adopted three children from China. Because of their own experience with adoption they have formed a foundation, Shaohannah’s Hope. The purpose of the foundation is to build bridges between willing families and waiting children.
At the invitation of Shaohannah’s Hope, the AdoptUsKids’ Recruitment Response Team in Alabama, along with the State DHR Office of Adoption, put together a choir. The choir, comprised of children waiting for adoption as well as children who have recently experienced adoption performed "All I Want for Christmas" with Mr. Chapman, live on stage.
Families interested in learning more about how to become an adoptive or foster parent may call 1-866-4AL-Kids (1-866-425-5437) or visit the Adoption and Waiting Children link from this web site.