Steven Curtis Chapman and family perform Oct. 15

Top-charting Christian singer and songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman is used to performing with his sons. But on his current tour - which comes to Savannah Civic Center Oct. 15 - he'll also be joined on stage by his wife, Mary Beth Chapman.

Mary Beth Chapman plans to speak at each tour stop discussing her recently released memoir "Choosing to SEE: A Journey of Struggle and Hope" (Revell). She'll address the heart-shattering death of their 5-year-old daughter, Maria Sue, who was killed in a vehicle accident involving her brother in 2008.

The message of the concert will be about how God's love helped the Chapmans through their struggles. Steven Chapman said he draws particular strength from a quote from Holocaust survivor Corrie ten Boom: "There is no pit so deep, that God's love is not deeper still."

"God brought hope and healing back to us,"' said Chapman. "We have and are surviving by the grace of God, because of the strength and comfort that God alone can give."

The younger Chapmans - Caleb, 20, a guitarist - and Will Franklin, 19, a drummer - will open with their own band called Caleb. Chapman will offer selections from his extensive music catalog and focus on material from his latest disc, 2009's "Beauty Will Rise" created during what Chapman calls his "walk through darkness" following the loss of their daughter.

Fans can place requests of songs to be performed by visiting www.stevencurtischapman.com.

Grammy-award-winning Chapman, 47, of Franklin, Tenn. said he's proud of his family, including his sons and their new venture.

"They've walked through so much and struggled so much with God's plan for them," Chapman said. "They have something profound to say for their generation."

Chapman said his wife is putting aside her public speaking fears to share her story. He said there are three things she told God she would never do: homeschool, adopt and speak in public. Now she's done all three.

In addition to having three biological children, the Chapmans adopted three daughters from China: Shaohannah Hope (10), Stevie Joy (7) and Maria Sue. The Chapmans founded Show Hope, an adoption awareness and orphan care ministry that exists to care for orphans around the world.

Last summer, Show Hope opened Maria's Big House of Hope in China, a medical facility for orphans with special needs. It's named in loving memory of the Chapmans' deceased daughter.

If you go

What: A Night with The Chapmans featuring Steven Curtis Chapman with guest/wife Mary Beth Chapman and introducing the band "Caleb."

When: 7 p.m. Oct. 15

Where: Johnny Mercer Theater at Savannah Civic Center, 301 W. Oglethorpe Ave.

Tickets: 866-440-7880 or www.hisradio.com

Tickets: $50 VIP, $35 Gold Circle, $23 General admission