Walking With My Father 
By Minister Kathy Horry 

As a singer, musician and songwriter at the age of 9, I aspired to pursue the horizons of the music world, and eventually became successful in making a living at doing what I loved most. I grew up singing and playing piano in the church, but along the way I developed a taste for secular music. My dream was to land a recording contract with a major record label. I achieved that dream in 1986, when I recorded my first R&B album with CBS Records, which later became Sony Music Entertainment. I was 19 at that time. The album was a great success and rose to the Billboard Top 20 charts. I went on to record another album that also entered Billboard’s Top 20.

My experience while recording my first album, Katt Walk, was such an awesome one that I shall never forget it. I stayed in Los Angeles for seven months to record it. During my stay, I met many celebrities: Smokey Robinson, Lou Gossett Jr., and Luther Vandross, just to name a few. It was like a dream to go to work on any given day and see some of the celebrities I had admired for many years. We shared studio time, as we worked on our individual projects. In addition to all of the excitement, I was fortunate to also spend a few sessions at Marvin Gaye’s studio in Hollywood. Katt Walk soared to great heights as it entered Billboard’s Top 20.

Although it appeared that I was hitting it big, there was trouble brewing. I began to experience problems with the record company over the decisions that were being made regarding my future. This was the first sign that there was trouble in paradise. The months of travel took a heavy toll on my marriage. Being young and inexperienced in the things of life, the trials that we encountered snuffed out all chances of upholding the vows that we took, causing us to go our separate ways. This was the second sign that there was trouble in paradise. Even though I was aware that things were going wrong, in my foolishness I thought I would be able to handle the stress of these events.

My best friend and my father, David T., had always been there for me, no matter what the situation, but now he needed me, as he was holding on for dear life. I was able to return to Michigan prior to my father taking his last breath. As I sat with him for the remainder of his time on this side of eternity, the weight of the situation began to take its toll on me. My father had always been such a strong figure in my life, but seeing him in such a weakened condition literally made me question whether I wanted to continue my own life. He was truly the rock on which I had depended for many, many things. In the natural, I knew that change was coming, for my earthly rock was going to be with the Lord. I had to find another rock, and this time it wouldn’t be my husband, mother, any of my brothers, nor any friend. My newfound rock would be Jesus. In that instant, it was perfectly clear to me that He was the only help I could depend on. Right then and there, standing in the hospital, I prayed to God, asking Him to help me deal with what was going on with my dad, my pain, and my life. God responded in an audible voice, saying three times: “Come closer to Me. Come closer to Me. Come closer to Me."

Later on that day, I was sitting in my mother’s living room in a perplexed state of mind. My mother reached out her hand and touched mine as she consoled me by telling me that everything was going to be all right. She went on to say that I needed more than what she could give, she said, “Kathy, you need the Lord directing your life. Sell out to Him ... sell out to the Lord! Just give Him one year of your life (and see if God won’t make a change).”

Although I heard those words come from her lips, it translated simply as, “Humble yourself; turn from the false gods and give the one true and living God a try.” It was the relationship that was forming with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, that helped me say goodbye to my father. On December 2, 1988, Daddy went to Glory. Though I hurt deeply and really missed my dad, I truly learned the God was everything I needed Him to be, even a father.

I was becoming sensitive to His voice. Very clearly, I was instructed to move back to Atlanta. Just as Abraham was instructed to leave his country, family and all that he knew, I received similar instructions.

That was the beginning of my new life in Christ. God was specific in his instructions: He said, “Leave Battle Creek and go back to Atlanta.” In the natural, it seemed that I should have stayed close to my comfort zone, my family and friends. But God was clear in His direction to return to Atlanta. He told me that He had someone in Atlanta who would teach me His word and how to walk in righteousness.

Pastor Jackie Beavers of Glory Harvester Church was the man of God who was designated to train me in the things of God. Pastor Beavers had been down a path that was very similar to the path I was traveling at that very moment. My union with Pastor Beavers was the first of two events that were designed to show me that God was faithful. The second manifestation that God was moving mightily in my life was my ability to sever the association with CBS Records by writing a letter to the company, requesting to be released from my contract. Truly, it was a miracle from God that I was released from the contract with no strings attached.

That was the beginning of my new walk; I gave my life completely to the Lord Jesus Christ. I sold out for Jesus! Everything about me changed - the songs I sang, the places I traveled, and even the people I spent time with. Although I was still a babe in Christ, I had moved to God’s place of glory.

When I looked to the Lord for my purpose in music I heard Him say, “I created you to cause others to praise me.” When I sit at the piano and I see people lifting their hands to the Lord, I see a breakthrough taking place in their lives. I’m honored that I can carry a message in song.