Steven Curtis Chapman returns to hometown to honour three girls shot at prayer gathering

NASHVILLE ARTIST/songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman performed at the funeral of three schoolgirls who were killed in a shooting in his hometown of Paducah. Kayce Steger, Jessica James and Nicole Hadley were shot dead at a prayer gathering in Heath High School on Monday, 1st December. A number of other teenage students were also shot and hospitalised. The funeral on Friday, 5th December was televised live across the USA.

Chapman returned to Paducah, where his parents still reside, on the day of the shootings to attend prayer services. "I know that God can and will make good out of what is intended for evil - this is promised in the Scriptures. I pray that people will remember: the same lips that were silenced by these killings were lips in prayer earlier that morning, and their friends continued in prayer and forgiveness even after. Today, a poster hangs in front of the school declaring, 'We forgive you because he forgave us.' That should be the legacy of this tragic event."

The gospel was clearly proclaimed in the funeral, live on national television. After singing Chapman commented, "Having heard testimony after testimony about the hearts of these young ladies, it was clear that their desire was to see others come into the Kingdom. I was so touched by the diary readings of Jessica as she wrote about being ready to go home to her Lord. When I sang 'Not Home Yet' I sensed a peace about that being the right song for the moment. Kayce, Jessica and Nicole had acknowledged that they knew they weren't home yet. And, now they are."