Housefires is a Christian worship collective born in 2014 within Grace Midtown church, in Atlanta, Georgia. Originally driven by Pat Barrett, Tony Brown and worship pastor Kirby Kaple, it champions an acoustic, stripped-back style. The collective co-wrote Good Good Father, later popularized by Chris Tomlin.
Housefires was born in 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia, within Grace Midtown church, which had previously released worship albums under its own name. The collective initially brought together Pat Barrett and Tony Brown on vocals and guitar, Kirby Kaple as worship pastor, Nate Moore, and musicians such as Vicki Schmidt, Jonathan Jay, Zac Brooks and Harold Brown. The name Housefires comes from a vision held by the church: seeing houses across the city of Atlanta catch fire with the presence of God.
The group deliberately chose a rawer, more acoustic sound than the polished production of Grace Midtown's earlier albums, in the spirit of collectives like United Pursuit or All Sons and Daughters. This collective approach, with members taking turns on vocals, allowed Housefires to co-write songs that became worship staples, starting with Good Good Father, popularized worldwide by Chris Tomlin.
- Origin
- Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Style
- Acoustic, collective worship
- Active since
- 2014
- Good to know
- Housefires co-wrote Good Good Father, a song later popularized by Chris Tomlin
How did Housefires start?
Housefires took root at Grace Midtown church in Atlanta, where several musicians, including Pat Barrett and Tony Brown, were already leading worship. In 2014, with the arrival of Kirby Kaple as worship pastor, the team decided to break away from the more polished production of their earlier albums and return to an acoustic sound, close to the feel of the church houses that make up the Grace Midtown community. Two albums, Housefires and Housefires II, came out that same year and laid the groundwork for the collective.
Over the years, the lineup evolved as founding members like Pat Barrett moved on and new singers and musicians joined, including Ryan Ellis and bassist Donald Hart in 2020, all while keeping its roots at Grace Midtown and its commitment to a collective rather than a single lead artist.
What makes Housefires distinctive?
Housefires works as a collective rather than a traditional band: several singers take turns from one album to the next, often joined by guests from other churches or worship collectives. Its acoustic, stripped-back style, recorded most of the time in live settings, stands apart from the more polished productions found across much of the American worship scene. This is the collective that gave rise to Good Good Father, one of the most widely covered worship songs in the world once popularized by Chris Tomlin.
Where should you start with Housefires?
Get Back to the Well and Steadfast Flow, both taken from the 2023 How to Start a Housefire series, give a good sense of the collective's current style. Rest On Us, with the collective Harvest Grapevine, shows how Housefires keeps inviting other worship voices alongside its own.
songs
Rest On Us
Recorded with the collective Harvest Grapevine and released in 2023 on How to Start a Housefire, Pt. II, this song is a prayer for the presence of God to rest on the congregation.
Get Back to the Well
A song with Nate Moore, a member of the collective, released in 2023 on How to Start a Housefire, Pt. II, on the theme of returning to a spiritual source.
Steadfast Flow
Carried by Ryan Ellis on piano and released in 2023, this song is a prayer for standing firm through life's trials.
Discography
- 2024Chapel Sessions, Vol. I
- 2023How to Start a Housefire, Pt. III
- 2023How to Start a Housefire, Pt. II
- 2023How to Start a Housefire
- 2021Housefires VII
- 2019Housefires V
- 2017We Say Yes
- 2016Housefires III
- 2014Housefires II
- 2014Housefires
Read also
Frequently asked questions
Who is Housefires?
Housefires is a Christian worship collective born in 2014 within Grace Midtown church, in Atlanta. It brings together several singers who take turns from one album to the next around an acoustic, stripped-back style.
What is Housefires' best known song?
Good Good Father, co-written by Housefires members including Pat Barrett, is their most famous song, popularized worldwide in the version later recorded by Chris Tomlin.
Is Housefires a Christian collective?
Yes. Housefires is an evangelical Christian worship collective that grew out of Grace Midtown church in Atlanta, with all of its music made for worship in church.
Who is part of Housefires?
The collective was founded by Pat Barrett, Tony Brown and worship pastor Kirby Kaple, along with Nate Moore. Its lineup has evolved over time, now including voices like Ryan Ellis.
Where can you listen to Housefires?
Housefires' albums are available on streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music and Deezer, as well as on their official YouTube channel.
Is Housefires connected to a church?
Yes, Housefires was born at and remains rooted in Grace Midtown church, in Atlanta, and carries its vision of seeing the presence of God spread through the houses of the city.