|PIC1|As an artist that has cultivated his passionate artistry in the hearts of listeners for two decades, Steven Curtis Chapman prepares to release his sixteenth studio album and first new project in more than three years on 23 October.

The studio release from the five-time Grammy Award recipient and record-holding Dove Award winner is titled This Moment. Throughout the album, Chapman captures the vital importance of embracing the "miracle of the moment", which is the title of the first single and opening track that went for ads at Adult Contemporary radio in the US on 20 July.

Co-produced by Steven Curtis Chapman and Matt Bronleewe (TobyMac, Chris Tomlin, Leeland, Michael W Smith, Jars of Clay), This Moment was tracked in Los Angeles with a solid studio band whose combined credits include Sting, Paul McCartney and Sheryl Crow.

Sharing the thematic foundation for This Moment, Chapman expressed, "I want to remind people that God is more concerned with our day-to-day than we might think.

"He is not just in the valley or on the mountaintop. He's on the straight open road, too. I hope we can begin to really experience what He's doing in this moment.

"After our first trip to China, my wife and I knew our lives were changing-our eyes and hearts were opening to how big God really is, and we have wanted to experience more of that," said Chapman.

He and his wife spent month long stretches in 2006 and 2007 working at Chinese orphanages. "We've really wondered whether or not we should just go to China and stay there. But I don't think so. I believe God is saying, 'I want you to go, get your heart broken, your eyes opened, and then take this story back to the church in America and around the world.'"

In support of the October 23rd release, Chapman will be hitting the road in the US for his 50 city "Live in This Moment" tour kicking off 20 September.

In his iconic musical career, Chapman has won five Grammy Awards, most recently at the 2005 awards for his release All Things New, and sold over ten million records including two RIAA certified platinum albums and seven RIAA certified gold albums.

Along with his Dove and Grammy Awards, Chapman has won an American Music Award, has recorded 44 No 1 US radio hits as well as receiving numerous other honours.

Since his recording career began in 1987, Chapman has also been awarded 51 Dove Awards, more than any other artist to date.