Steven Curtis Chapman is one of those Christian pop superstars whose shows are not so much concerts as they are worship events.

Perhaps Chapman said it best himself; he wrote in his concert program notes that “I pray that I will simply be the `lead worshipper’ as we gather together in the presence of an Awesome God to dance, sing and celebrate His grace and love.”

That’s exactly what the reigning Gospel Music Association Male Vocalist of the Year did Thursday night at Stephens Auditorium.

For nearly three hours, he led a packed house in musical praise and worship.

Throughout the show, Chapman interlaced music with humorous anecdotes, testimonies of faith and periods of prayer and video presentations, alternately bringing fans to their feet and bringing them to tears.

Although he is usually lumped in with the adult-contemporary crowd, Chapman’s enduring cross-generational appeal was apparent in both the wide range of ages present in the audience and in the range of songs he pulled from his expansive oeuvre.

Chapman started the show with a version of his current radio single “Live Out Loud,” then launched into the crowd-pleasing hit “Let Us Pray.”

He then invited the audience to pray.

“If you allow your heart to be open,” he said, “I truly believe that you can be changed forever as a result of this experience tonight.”

One unexpected treat of the night was when Chapman’s band joined him in an a capella version of “Fingerprints of God” near the start of the first set.

While some of his songs felt more deserving of the adult-contemporary label, they took on an undeniable power and sincerity in live performance, an effect which was aided by the simultaneous showing of videos – about adoption in the first set and missionaries in the second.

The musical highlight of the night came in the second set – the driving, fervent “Lord of the Dance,” which showcased the raw energy and lyrical creativity that sets Chapman apart from his peers in the Christian music scene.

The only song that truly matched that song’s ardent zeal was the exceedingly danceable encore song “Dive.” Hands filled the air throughout Stephens as Chapman jumped about on stage.

After “Dive,” Chapman called opener Nichole Nordeman back to the stage to join him and the audience in the worship anthem “I Surrender All.”

Nordeman’s five-song set might have surprised even those who had heard her music on the radio.

From the first note she sang, it was clear that her recordings – which are staples on local Christian radio – do no justice to either her talent or the power of her lyrics.

Her goosebump-inducing final song “Every Season,” performed alone at her keyboard, was a beautiful, unpretentious testimony to God’s faithfulness through hard times.

When the evening finally drew to a close, Chapman asked the audience, “Is it just me, or have you sensed the power of God here tonight?”

From the roar the question elicited from the crowd, the answer was yes.

Sarah Fackrell is a junior in art and design and pre-journalism and mass communication from Clive.