Pat Barrett is an American Christian singer and songwriter, a founding member of the collective Housefires. He co-wrote Good Good Father, made famous by Chris Tomlin, and Build My Life. A solo artist since 2018 on Chris Tomlin's label Bowyer and Bow, he has released several albums, including I've Got a Fire (2025).
Pat Barrett grew up in Georgia, in a family where his father was a pastor and his mother worked for the airline Delta. He picked up the guitar and started writing songs around age ten. While studying at the University of Georgia, he formed the band Unhindered with his childhood friend Ben Smith, his first steps in worship music, before joining the collective Housefires in 2014, where he became one of its lead voices and its main songwriter.
With Housefires, he co-wrote Good Good Father, a song that became a global worship classic when Chris Tomlin released his own version in 2015, as well as Build My Life, co-written with Brett Younker, Karl Martin, Kirby Kaple, and Matt Redman. In 2018, he left Housefires to become the first artist signed to Bowyer and Bow, Chris Tomlin's label, and released his self-titled solo album that same year. That was followed by the live album Canvas and Clay (2019), then Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly (2021), whose title draws on a verse from the prophet Micah, Shelter (2023), and I've Got a Fire (2025).
- Origin
- Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Style
- Contemporary worship
- Active since
- 2014, solo since 2018
- Good to know
- Co-writer of Good Good Father and Build My Life, two worldwide worship standards.
How did Pat Barrett get started?
A pastor's son, Pat Barrett wrote his first songs as early as age ten. At the University of Georgia, he formed the band Unhindered with his friend Ben Smith, an early experience of writing and touring. In 2014, he joined the newly formed collective Housefires in Atlanta, where he quickly became one of its lead writers and singers, contributing to songs that would go on to reach far beyond their local church.
What makes Pat Barrett stand out?
More than a performer, Pat Barrett is first and foremost known as a writer: Good Good Father and Build My Life rank among the most covered worship songs in the world, far beyond his own recordings. His songwriting, centered on the fatherhood of God and trust in the midst of uncertainty, stands out for its melodic simplicity and warm, close tone, shaped by his years with Housefires.
Where should you start with Pat Barrett?
Good Good Father and Build My Life remain his best known songs, including in their original Housefires versions. The Way (New Horizon), the first single from his self-titled solo album (2018), and Canvas and Clay (2019) continue in that same intimate vein. His more recent albums, Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly (2021), Shelter (2023), and I've Got a Fire (2025), show an artist who keeps writing for the church while growing his own career.
songs
The Wrestle
A song about the inner struggle of faith, between doubt and trust, set to an arrangement more rock-driven than his usual ballads.
Praise The Lord Forever
An unconditional declaration of praise, presented as one of the standout songs of his recent output.
Count On You
A song of trust in God's faithfulness, recorded in a Worship Together session.
Discography
- 2025I've Got a Fire
- 2023Shelter
- 2021Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly
- 2019Canvas and Clay· live album
- 2018Pat Barrett· first solo album
Read also
Frequently asked questions
Who is Pat Barrett?
Pat Barrett is an American Christian singer and songwriter, a founding member of the collective Housefires, and co-writer of Good Good Father and Build My Life.
Is Pat Barrett a Christian artist?
Yes, Pat Barrett is a pastor's son and has been writing evangelical worship songs since his time with Housefires through his solo career.
What is Pat Barrett's best known song?
Good Good Father, which he co-wrote and which Chris Tomlin made famous in 2015, remains his most widely covered song.
Did Pat Barrett write Good Good Father?
Yes, he co-wrote it with Tony Brown within Housefires. Chris Tomlin's version, released in 2015, turned it into a worldwide worship classic.
Is Pat Barrett still part of Housefires?
No, he left Housefires in 2018 to become the first artist signed to Bowyer and Bow, Chris Tomlin's label, and pursue a solo career.
Where can you listen to Pat Barrett?
His albums are available on streaming platforms and on his official YouTube channel.