Song Discovery: Consumed by Fire “Man That Made Me” (Acoustic)

Now I’m just doing my best to take on / Half the faith that he stood on / That legacy you wanna leave / Now, I just wanna be / Lord, I just wanna be / Half of the man that made me.”

Red Street Records’ recording artists Consumed By Fire dropped their latest single, Man That Made Me, available everywhere and they joined us on Song Discovery for an acoustic session and interview. The rising CCM trio comprised of brothers Josh, Jordan, and Caleb Ward wrote Man That Made Me as a tribute to their father, a traveling missionary who planted churches and ministered to over 33 nations. With powerful instrumentation and a lyrical message that’s guaranteed to pull the heartstrings of listeners, Man That Made Me holds an even greater impact as it was released on the one-year anniversary of their father’s passing.

Consumed By Fire band member Jordan Ward shares,

“Growing up we would often hear a reoccurring sentiment from other men in the churches dad pastored saying, ‘Pastor, I was reflecting the other day about the type of husband and father I want to be, and then I thought of you… I told the Lord that if I was just half the husband, father, and man that you are to your family and the call of God on your life, then I would feel accomplished and fulfilled in these areas.’ As kids, it was incredible to hear men from around the world sharing the same feelings towards our dad. Now that we’re older and the torch has passed on to us, we find ourselves reflecting and feeling the same way.”

Written by Caleb and Jordan Ward (of Consumed By Fire) alongside Brian Bunn and produced by Scotty Wilbanks, Man That Made Me tells a story of a father’s legacy and the pride of his sons to be able to walk in his footsteps. The band shares the story behind the song (HERE) that sings,

“When I look in the mirror, I’m starting to see / A little more of him and a little less of me / I hear the words that he taught me / About hope, my faith and belief / Now I’m just doing my best to take on / Half the faith that he stood on / That legacy you wanna leave / Now, I just wanna be / Lord, I just wanna be / Half of the man that made me.”

Consumed By Fire’s recent First Things First EP release climbed all the way to #2 on the Christian radio charts and marks the first Top 5 single for both the band and Red Street Records. The trio was also nominated for Group or Duo of the Year and Breakout Single of the Year for First Things First at the 2023 K-Love Fan Awards and will embark on their very first headlining tour this Fall.

Lyrics

He was a preacher and
He loved the sinner’s heart
He knew the perfect words
To meet you right where you are
With a smile and open arms
I’m not saying he was perfect
He would tell ya, far from it
But he gave his life to something
To something bigger than him
I’m so thankful he did

When I look in the mirror, I’m starting to see
A little more of him and a little less of me
I hear the words that he taught me
About hope, my faith and belief
Now I’m just doing my best to take on
Half that faith he stood on
That legacy you wanna leave
Now, I just wanna be
Lord, I just wanna be
Half of the man that made me

Sometimes he’d call me out
He’d help me think about
Those times I went too far
And he’d say boy, watch your mouth
Can almost hear dad now
Saying I’m so proud

When I look in the mirror, I’m starting to see
A little more of him and a little less of me
I hear the words that he taught me
About hope, my faith and belief
Now I’m just doing my best to take on
Half that faith he stood on
That legacy you wanna leave
Now, I just wanna be
Lord, I just wanna be
Half of the man that made me

Thought he was ten feet tall
By the way he walked
But now it’s so clear to see
It was all that time on his knees
Now all I wanna be
Lord, I just wanna be
Half of that man that made me

Lord, I just wanna be

When I look in the mirror, I’m starting to see
A little more of him and a little less of me
Still hear the words that he taught me
About hope, my faith and belief
He’d say, boy you can’t just talk it
Gotta love so much you walk it
That legacy you wanna leave
Now, all I wanna be
Lord, I just wanna be
Half of the man that made me
Half of the man that made me

Songwriters: Brian Bunn / Jordan David Ward / Caleb Paul Ward

Story Behind the Song:

Acoustic Performance of the Song:

Get to Know Consumed By Fire:

About Consumed By Fire

No strangers to the road life, rising Contemporary Christian Music band, Consumed By Fire, are living out the name of their band in a brand-new way. Comprised of Caleb Ward (lead vocals), Jordan Ward (harmonies/percussion), Josh Ward (guitar/harmonies), the three brothers from Oklahoma are living out God’s calling for their lives, to share God’s grace far and wide through music.

“If it wasn’t this form of ministry, if it wasn’t music, it would just be something else. Ministry is what we were born to do,” Caleb says.

The band’s sound, heavily influenced by the music they grew up on, is thanks in part to their father’s eclectic taste. Filled with honest truths and the band’s honed musicality, “First Things First,” the band’s current radio single, is evidence of Consumed By Fire’s family bond and the unconditional love of both their earthly and heavenly fathers. As their single has climbed into the Top 5 on the radio charts, the band is already receiving media attention with spotlights from KLove and Air1 Radio, praising the band for their “deft lyricism and tight harmonies.” With new music on the horizon as well as upcoming tour dates, the band is ready for a new, exciting year of music. To learn more, visit consumedbyfire.com.