Reverend Dr. Michael Catt
Sherwood Baptist Church
Albany, GA
Sponsor: Rep. Heath Shuler, (D-NC)
Date of Prayer: 08/28/2012
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
Mr. SHULER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize today's guest chaplain, Dr. Michael Catt. Dr. Catt is the senior pastor at Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. I'm honored to welcome Dr. Catt, his wife, Terri, and his daughter, Hayley, to the U.S. House of Representatives today.
Dr. Catt has served as senior pastor at Sherwood Baptist Church since 1989. The church has 3,000 members and has averaged 100 baptisms each year. Thousands have joined the church from Albany and 29 surrounding communities. The church has evolved from a neighborhood church to a regional, multiethnic congregation with members from 11 nations.
Most notably, under Dr. Catt's leadership, Sherwood Baptist developed an out–of–the–box church outreach. Dr. Catt's goal is to change the world from Albany, Georgia. While this may sound and seem like a radical or even ridiculous statement from a pastor in southwest Georgia, it has, in fact, become a reality through Sherwood Pictures. Dr. Catt has served as executive producer of ‘‘Flywheel,'' ‘‘Facing the Giants,'' ‘‘Fireproof,'' and ‘‘Courageous.'' Each of these major motion pictures serves to influence the world for Christ.
I am honored to call Dr. Catt a friend, and I look forward to how God continues to use Dr. Catt in the future. I ask my colleagues to welcome Dr. Catt and his family as he leads us today in opening prayer .
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
Lord God, I give thanks to live in a free land, blessed by you. Since the days of the Pilgrims, who sought freedom from religious and political tyranny, you have blessed this land. You have guided us through wars, recession and prosperity. We owe our existence to your Sovereign hand.
May those elected to represent the people, follow the teachings of your Word. We pray for all in authority that we may live in peace. Please guide the Congress, regardless of political persuasion to follow the words of Micah "He has told you, O man, what is good; what does the Lord require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God? The voice of the Lord will call to the city — it is sound wisdom to fear Your name" In the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord, I pray. Amen.
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory