Hospital Chaplain Explores Grace and Redemption in New Collaboration with Phil Keaggy

Inspired by years of accompanying patients and families through suffering, Rick Lee James’ new song, Heaven Is Full of Criminals, reflects on the Christian hope that no one is beyond God’s mercy.

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — For most people, a hospital hallway is a place of uncertainty. For healthcare chaplain and singer-songwriter Rick Lee James, it has become a place where questions about faith, suffering, forgiveness, and hope are voiced every day.

Those conversations inspired Heaven Is Full of Criminals , James’ new single featuring acclaimed guitarist Phil Keaggy, released today on all major streaming platforms. Rather than focusing on crime, the song reflects on one of Christianity’s oldest themes: that God’s kingdom has always been populated by people whose lives were transformed by grace rather than earned by merit.

“As a hospital chaplain, I’ve had the privilege of sitting with people during some of the most difficult moments of their lives,” James said. “No matter how unique our different circumstances, many people ask common questions: ‘Could God still love me? Have I gone too far?’ This song grew out of those conversations.”

The song’s title intentionally invites…