‘Fireproof’ Christian movie producer Michael Catt, 70, dies

Michael C. Catt, a Southern Baptist pastor in Albany, Georgia, whose congregation launched a pioneering Christian film studio, died Monday of issues from prostate most cancers. He was 70 years outdated.

Sherwood Pictures, the manufacturing firm birthed at Sherwood Baptist Church within the southwest Georgia metropolis of Albany, gained recognition in Christian circles for the 2003 film “Flywheel,” concerning the non secular redemption of a deceitfully used automotive salesman. The movie earned $37,000 on a $20,000 funds, however positioned the producers for larger accomplishments.

Two affiliate pastors on the church, brothers Alex and Stephen Kendrick, labored on the Sherwood Pictures movies and typically acted in them.

Four years after “Flywheel,” the 2006 film “Facing the Giants” — centered on a highschool soccer coach performed by Alex Kendrick. Like the primary manufacturing, church members volunteered as “extras” and helped with make-up, manufacturing and catering, issues that stored the funds low.

When “Facing the Giants” earned $10 million on the field workplace on a $100,000 manufacturing funds, leisure business insiders took notice. 

Veteran TV actor Kirk Cameron signed on to play the lead in “Fireproof,” a 2008 drama a couple of firefighter who turns his ailing marriage round in 40 days. Another low-budget manufacturing — filmmakers spent $1 million — “Fireproof” earned $33 million in launch, topped solely by the 2011 Sherwood-produced “Courageous,” a police drama that earned $35 million.

After the success of the Sherwood Pictures releases, the Kendricks went on to provide their very own films, and different Hollywood studios adopted swimsuit. Film studios corresponding to Pinnacle Peake Pictures and producers corresponding to DeVon Franklin (“Miracles from Heaven,” “Breakthrough”) are a part of an explosion of family-friendly movies with an express religion message.

Mr. Catt — who media reviews stated acquired the thought to make Christian films when he and the Kendrick brothers toured a Disney World backlot — is credited as somebody who noticed the necessity for movies to counter Hollywood’s secular messages. In 2008, he advised The New York Times, “It’s easy to point fingers, but what we need to be doing is offering realistic alternatives.”

Julie Fairchild, a publicist who labored with Sherwood Pictures in its early years, stated through e-mail, “Michael Catt was a loving husband, father, pastor, visionary and friend. He was not afraid to shake things up!”

One cultural observer credit Mr. Catt as a key participant on this celluloid revival.

Mr. Catt was “not a household name,” stated Leah Payne, an affiliate professor of American spiritual historical past at Portland Seminary, however in his time his movie-making affect matched that of the late evangelist Billy Graham, whose ministry additionally produced faith-friendly dramas.

“He’s not like Billy Graham, who was a celebrity in his own right,” Ms. Payne stated in a phone interview. “But he is someone who understood the evangelical relationship to mass media, [that] they see it as a form of evangelism and religious training.”

She stated Mr. Catt “instinctively understood how important film, television and various forms of mass media are for community formation.”

The Rev. Paul Gotthardt, the present senior pastor of Sherwood Baptist Church stated, “Michael’s passion for biblical preaching, engaging the next generation with the gospel, and investing in leaders will be deeply missed.”

Representatives for each Kendrick brothers and Mr. Cameron had been contacted for remark by The Washington Times.

Michael Catt was born on December 25, 1952, in Pascagoula, Mississippi, to a mom who gave him up for adoption. He didn’t be taught of his adoption till he was 38 years outdated. He served as a youth pastor at 5 Southern Baptist church buildings and as pastor at one other congregation earlier than coming to Sherwood Baptist in 1989, retiring in 2021.