SCC Joins Intl Songwriter's Retreat in Scotland

COMPASSIONART HOSTS MULTIPLE GRAMMY, DOVE AWARD WINNING ARTISTS AT INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITER’S RETREAT JAN. 7 â€" 11 IN SCOTLAND UK Songs To Be Forever Donated To Help the Poorest of the Poor
Unprecedented Retreat Features, Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, Chris Tomlin, Darlene Zschech, Matt and Beth Redman, Tim Hughes, Paul Baloche, Israel Houghton, Graham Kendrick, Andy Park, Stu Garrard and Martin Smith from Delirious?

(Littlehampton, England) December 3, 2007 â€" Compassionart is hosting internationally recognized songwriters Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, Chris Tomlin, Darlene Zschech, Matt and Beth Redman, Tim Hughes, Paul Baloche, Israel Houghton, Graham Kendrick, Andy Park, Martin Smith and Stu Garrard (Delirious?), at a gathering in Perthshire, Scotland Jan. 7 â€" 11. 2008. The songwriters’ unprecedented goal is to collectively write 10-12 songs that will be given to the world not just to sing, but to raise money for the relief of suffering around the planet. Together these songwriters account for at least 42 million albums sold, 82 No. 1 songs, nine GRAMMY Awards, 110 Dove Awards, two Stellar Awards, two American Music Awards, and 98 current CCLI Top 500 songs sung by millions in churches around the world. Now, for the first time ever, the songwriters offer their time and talents with one voice to make a stand.

One hundred percent of the proceeds derived from the songs written at the Compassionart retreat will go directly to charity. One half of the monies will go to the songwriters’ charity of choice, and the other 50% will go to a charitable project agreed upon by all the songwriters involved.

“Over the last few years I have had the privilege of traveling to some of the poorest parts of the world and seeing first hand the plight of humanity,” says Martin Smith, Delirious? frontman and Compassionart founder who is organizing the retreat along with his wife, Anna. “As a song writer and a person with a microphone I made a promise to try and do something about it. What better than to call on my friends and do something together. To be people that can make a change rather than just singing about it.”

Remarkably, the songwriters, publishers, managers, copyright institutes and agents involved have all waived their rights and are donating their efforts on this project to Compassionart, a charity based in Littlehampton, England and dedicated to seeing works of art generate income for the poorest of the poor. And this is not a one-time offering or marketing ploy, but an ongoing effort for charity derived over the songs’ lifetimes.

“They have all waived their rights to see something historic happen- the music business coming together for something great, greater than any individual could achieve,” continues Smith.

The participating songwriters echo their enthusiasm for Compassionart and what it hopes to accomplish:

“I am so grateful to be a part of Compassionart and extremely optimistic of what will come of it. The motivation of this week and all involved so resonates with my heart in regards to the poor. Isaiah 58 is the passage that I go to now more than any other, knowing that if we feed the poor, satisfy the needs of the oppressed and reach out to the downtrodden, the Lord will indeed make His face shine upon us.”
-- Michael W. Smith

“I’m eagerly anticipating this time! Coming together for this time of writing with the purpose of helping the poor and oppressed is an honor. Whenever I’ve had a chance to be with orphans around the world, what many would call the least of the least, God makes it so clear to me that He has not forgotten them, that He is for them and calls them His dearly loved children. I’m praying that this time and collection of people that Martin and Anna Smith have helped call together will be greatly used by God for His glory. And I’m very hopeful that the songs He gives will draw attention to and help those desperately in need.”
-- Steven Curtis Chapman

“I know that Compassionart is in the heart of God. I am so honored and thrilled to be a part of it. What an amazing gathering of people and songwriters. I sense that God is going to release His heart on new songs.”
-- Chris Tomlin

“Compassionart is definitely here in the timing of God, and there is nothing that stirs His heart like bringing relief to human suffering. Worship and Justice has always been a heaven combination, and Mark and I are completely committed to Martin and Anna and their passion to see the fulfillment of this dream come to pass. So, we enter this season of writing and dreaming with great excitement and a deep sense of responsibility. Put this together with the great bonus of spending a week with some of the people we admire most in the world.... Cannot wait.”
-- Darlene Zschech

“We’ve all talked for years about going deeper in worship - and that though music is such a wonderful expression, we must ultimately go beyond writing songs. This new venture is a great demonstration of that heart. Compassion and art - what a great mix.”
-- Matt Redman

“I’m really excited about this opportunity to come together with gifted and inspired songwriters from around the world. Who knows what God might do as we lay down our agendas and work together to write and create God inspired songs that beat with His heart for justice.”
-- Tim Hughes

“I’m grateful to be part of such a powerful ‘Kingdom’ event. What a beautiful vision to combine art, compassion, and justice in hopes of displaying the heart of God to the world. ‘How good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell [and write songs of worship] together in unity...for there the Lord bestows a blessing.’ (Ps.133) I love the idea of us serving others through song, without seeking anything in return. Let’s be praying that God will bless our efforts as we humbly trust Him for inspiration and favor.”
-- Paul Baloche

“I am excited at the possibilities of this creative collaboration - not only to bring to birth some great songs that make the praises of God audible, but to help birth projects and release resources that make the love of God tangible to those most vulnerable â€" the children.”
-- Graham Kendrick

“The idea of writing songs that will benefit the needy and broken people of our world really excites me. Gathering with a group of seasoned songwriters to write for the worldwide church and for charity promises to be a great week of fellowship and co-working for the kingdom of God. I’m really looking forward to our time together.”
-- Andy Park

“I think what Martin and Anna are doing with Compassionart is brilliant. I’m honored to be involved and in some small way make a difference by doing something I love.”
-- Stu Garrard

For more information on the Compassionart songwriter’s retreat, go to http://www.compassionart.co.uk/

“I’m grateful to be part of such a powerful ‘Kingdom’ event. What a beautiful vision to combine art, compassion, and justice in hopes of displaying the heart of God to the world. ‘How good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell [and write songs of worship] together in unity...for there the Lord bestows a blessing.’ (Ps.133) I love the idea of us serving others through song, without seeking anything in return. Let’s be praying that God will bless our efforts as we humbly trust Him for inspiration and favor.”
-- Paul Baloche

“I am excited at the possibilities of this creative collaboration - not only to bring to birth some great songs that make the praises of God audible, but to help birth projects and release resources that make the love of God tangible to those most vulnerable â€" the children.”
-- Graham Kendrick

“The idea of writing songs that will benefit the needy and broken people of our world really excites me. Gathering with a group of seasoned songwriters to write for the worldwide church and for charity promises to be a great week of fellowship and co-working for the kingdom of God. I’m really looking forward to our time together.”
-- Andy Park

“I think what Martin and Anna are doing with Compassionart is brilliant. I’m honored to be involved and in some small way make a difference by doing something I love.”
-- Stu Garrard

Remarkably, the songwriters, publishers, managers, copyright institutes and agents involved have all waived their rights and are donating their efforts on this project to Compassionart, a charity based in Littlehampton, England and dedicated to seeing works of art generate income for the poorest of the poor. And this is not a one-time offering or marketing ploy, but an ongoing effort for charity derived over the songs’ lifetimes.

“They have all waived their rights to see something historic happen- the music business coming together for something great, greater than any individual could achieve,” continues Smith.

The participating songwriters echo their enthusiasm for Compassionart and what it hopes to accomplish:

“I am so grateful to be a part of Compassionart and extremely optimistic of what will come of it. The motivation of this week and all involved so resonates with my heart in regards to the poor. Isaiah 58 is the passage that I go to now more than any other, knowing that if we feed the poor, satisfy the needs of the oppressed and reach out to the downtrodden, the Lord will indeed make His face shine upon us.”
-- Michael W. Smith

“I’m eagerly anticipating this time! Coming together for this time of writing with the purpose of helping the poor and oppressed is an honor. Whenever I’ve had a chance to be with orphans around the world, what many would call the least of the least, God makes it so clear to me that He has not forgotten them, that He is for them and calls them His dearly loved children. I’m praying that this time and collection of people that Martin and Anna Smith have helped call together will be greatly used by God for His glory. And I’m very hopeful that the songs He gives will draw attention to and help those desperately in need.”
-- Steven Curtis Chapman

“I know that Compassionart is in the heart of God. I am so honored and thrilled to be a part of it. What an amazing gathering of people and songwriters. I sense that God is going to release His heart on new songs.”
-- Chris Tomlin

“Compassionart is definitely here in the timing of God, and there is nothing that stirs His heart like bringing relief to human suffering. Worship and Justice has always been a heaven combination, and Mark and I are completely committed to Martin and Anna and their passion to see the fulfillment of this dream come to pass. So, we enter this season of writing and dreaming with great excitement and a deep sense of responsibility. Put this together with the great bonus of spending a week with some of the people we admire most in the world.... Cannot wait.”
-- Darlene Zschech

“We’ve all talked for years about going deeper in worship - and that though music is such a wonderful expression, we must ultimately go beyond writing songs. This new venture is a great demonstration of that heart. Compassion and art - what a great mix.”
-- Matt Redman

“I’m really excited about this opportunity to come together with gifted and inspired songwriters from around the world. Who knows what God might do as we lay down our agendas and work together to write and create God inspired songs that beat with His heart for justice.”
-- Tim Hughes

You’ve seen Santa (or his helpers) in your mall’s center court every holiday season, and in many of America’s mall’s last year WorldWide Photography, IPI and SEPIA Photos launched a limited rollout with their mall partners of the “Show Hope” for adoption program. This program allowed Santa Photo mall patrons to give a dollar or more to the Shaohannah’s Hope Foundation, a grant program started by five-time Grammy award winner, Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife Mary Beth. 100% of every dollar received was given to the foundation that gives grant to families who want to adopt and need financial assistance.

After an overwhelming response last year, in funds raised and in testimonies from the parents who received the children into their homes, this initiative has been renewed and developed further for 2007.

There are now two donor levels, as last year, donors who provide $1 will receive a personalized letter from Santa sent to their children via email on Christmas morning through www.myownsantaletter.com.

Additionally this year, these friends who partner will also receive a Show Hope button. And new for 2007, donors who provide $5 or more will receive the personalized letter from Santa and a Show Hope memory bracelet. 100% of the donations collected will be gifted to the foundation again this year. On set and cash register signage will remind the patrons of this worthy effort, and we h0pe you’ll consider being a part.

SCC 2006 News

In 2006, Chapman went on tour to several Asian countries. His web site claims his concert for U.S. troops serving in South Korea was the first Christian concert ever performed for the troops in that country, and a concert in Shanghai, China was "the first public performance by a Gospel recording artist event in the city open to China passport holders" and the third-largest concert in Shanghai that spring.[10] The tour also took the artist to Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Singapore. During the same period, his song "The Blessing" reached number one on Thailand radio charts. His number one hit was Dive.

SCC 2007 News.

In 2007, Chapman co-headlined Newsong's annual Winter Jam tour with Jeremy Camp. For the tour, he brought his sons' band - The Following - out on tour to play as his backing band along with longtime keyboardist Scott Sheriff. Also, Chapman released his most recent album, This Moment, in October 2007. He continues to tour with his sons, Caleb and Will Franklin for the Live In This Moment Tour. At each stop during the tour, spare change and monetary donations are collected to help grant a local family a financial gift needed to complete an adoption.