Celebrity matchups are a staple of the recording and touring industries.

For fans of contemporary Christian music, the pairing of Michael W. Smith and Steven Curtis Chapman seems like a musical marriage made in heaven.

Smith and Chapman are two of the biggest stars in the gospel firmament. Blessed with abundant charisma, diverse musical gifts and enough sex appeal to generate adoration (but hopefully not lust), both made their debuts during the 1980s, a time when Christian pop and rock finally started achieving mainstream popularity.

As solo artists, they have combined to sell more than 20 million copies of three dozen albums, recorded more than 75 singles that reached No. 1 on Christian charts, and have earned nearly 100 Dove Awards from Nashville-based Gospel Music Association.

Now they are teaming up for “The United Tour,” which arrives at the Pikes Peak Center on Tuesday.

“As far as the tour goes, I think it’s long overdue,” says Jay Swartzendruber, former editor of Christian-music magazine CCM. “Fans have been dreaming of this combination for years.”

Smith, 52, first hit the big time in 1982, playing in Christian-music pioneer Amy Grant’s band.

His debut 1983 album included the song “Friends,” which ranked No. 3 in “100 Greatest Songs in Christian Music,” a book created by CCM magazine in 2006.

Famous for catchy, crossover pop hits and named one of People magazine’s Most Beautiful People, Smith began focusing on the growing worship market in 2001.

Smith is also one of the most productive musical ambassadors for Springs-based Compassion International.

Over the years, his first-person endorsements at his concerts and print solicitations included in his recordings have persuaded thousands of people to sponsor a child through Compassion, which helps more than a million children in 25 countries.

Chapman, 47, started out as a songwriter, releasing his first solo album in 1987.

He has since earned 54 Dove Awards, more than any other artist.

With hit songs including “The Great Adventure,” which ranked No. 8 in “100 Greatest Songs in Christian Music,” Chapman has built a large and loyal audience. He has also used his celebrity to support adoption, founding Shaohannah’s Hope, which has provided grants to more than 1,700 families wishing to adopt orphans from around the world.

The two artists collaborated on the Compassionart project, a venture organized by Martin Smith of British band Delirious, who wanted to bring together top Christian artists to write songs that would raise awareness and funds for poor people around the world. The project is not related to Compassion International.

The decision by Chapman and Michael W. Smith to tour together has pleased their fans, as blogger Douglas Howe testified in a post on Beliefnet.

“The loyal audience gave them a standing ovation before they even started, and these guys paid tribute to each other by singing each other’s songs together and at times even covering the other’s songs in solo numbers.

“If you love great music that’s inspiring, clean and family friendly, then this tour is for you.

“And if you think this is only for older types, your kids will love seeing both Smith’s and Chapman’s sons as part of the band.”

The pairing has been so successful that some are speculating about further collaborations.

“One has to wonder how long we’ll have to wait for them to collaborate on an entire duo album,” Swartzendruber says.

MICHAEL W. SMITH AND STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN

When: 7 p.m. TuesdayWhere: Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave.Tickets: $45 to $75 at World Arena, Pikes Peak Center, King Soopers, online at ticketswest.com, or by phone at 1-800-861-3531.

The first performance of “The Thorn” Wednesday, April 1, 2009, at New Life Church. Photo by (Christian Murdock/The Gazette)