For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves because of Jesus. – 2 Corinthians 4:5
How do we want to be remembered? Something one ponders as we get older, but better to live each day in a different sort of way. Not to be remembered, necessarily, but to be “known as” of “known for”.
Here is a brief story taken up in song of how one man is known. Michael Catt, previously a pastor from Oklahoma, came to Albany, Georgia, in 1989, as the new lead pastor for Sherwood Baptist Church. Albany, Georgia is a town deep in the Bible Belt of South Georgia, with dozens of churches from which to choose.
What Michael Catt accomplished (credit of which he gives all to the Lord) is phenomenal. He and this great church, empowered by God, take the Gospel seriously and personally.
“Michael served as pastor of Sherwood from 1989 through 2021, when he retired to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. In his over 31 years at Sherwood, the church grew into a multi-generational congregation with members from more than 20 nations. Michael led the church to establish numerous Crisis Pregnancy Centers, launched a Biblical Counseling Center, built a 100-acre Legacy Sports Park, and repurposed an old Coca-Cola bottling plant into a ministry center for the underserved of Albany.” – Celebrating the Life & Legacy of Michael Catt
Some of you may have seen the excellent faith-centered films by The Kendrick Brothers. These film-makers and their films come out of a collaboration with Sherwood Pictures, another ministry of this church and, for a long season, Pastor Michael Catt.
It’s not surprising then, when Michael Catt passed the 30-year mark of his ministry at Sherwood Church, that a great celebration was planned. It included a surprise song written in tribute to him and his heart to ever know God more deeply and to make Him known widely.
Shortly after that celebration, I came across the song on social media, following one of his daughters and the church. It is song that points to God and crescendos in such a beautiful way that it isn’t hard to imagine what Heaven will be like as we surround His throne in worship. Michael Catt, who retired the next year and died in 2023, is there already, having lived to make God known. That’s the legacy right there.
Worship God with me to this beautiful tribute of a song to God and His faithful one, Michael Catt.
When they think of me, will they think of You?
Will this life I live unveil Your truth?
When they speak of me will they speak Your name?
Will my legacy reveal Your fame?
With every breath that I will breathe, I live to make You known.
With everything inside of me, I choose to finish strong.
With all of my heart, with all of my soul, with all that I am, with all that I have and all I own
I live to make You known.
So I take this road, looking to the sun.
By Your grace alone, every battle’s won.
I will make the most of my given name. Every circumstance I will bring You praise.
With every breath that I will breathe, I live to make You known.
With everything inside of me, I’ll choose to finish strong.
With all of my heart, with all of my soul, with all that I am, with all that I have and all I own
I live to make You known.
I’ll make my boast, I’ll make my claim in Christ and Christ alone.
All glory, honor, power, and praise arises to Your throne.
I’ll make my boast, I’ll make my claim in Christ and Christ alone.
All glory, honor, power, and praise arises to Your throne.
I’ll make my boast, I’ll make my claim in Christ and Christ alone.
All glory, honor, power, and praise arises to Your throne.
With every breath that I will breathe, I’ll live to make You known.
With everything inside of me, I’ll choose to finish strong.
With all of my heart, with all of my soul, with all that I am, with all that I have and all I own
I’ll live to make You known.
With all of my heart, with all of my soul, with all that I am, with all that I have and all I own
I’ll live to make You known.I’ll live to make You known. I’ll live to make You known. I’ll live to make You known.
I’ll live for You alone.
I’ll live to make You known. I’ll live to make You known. I’ll live to make You known.
I’ll live for You alone. I’ll live to make You known.*
*Lyrics transcribed from the YouTube video with Worship Leader & Songwriter Mark Willard & others.
Michael Catt – 1952-2023 – Obituary – beautiful story
Make You Known album – Sherwood Worship
https://www.facebook.com/SherwoodBaptistChurch/videos/2812192468823572/ – Make You Known video
Photo Credit: Facebook, Sherwood Baptist Church
