TheDailyFaithMag.com

Every time I have a conversation with Garrett, I sense a rare humility in him. I believe this quality comes from his experiences of hardship and resilience. His heart is both teachable and genuine.

I am proud to know Mr. Carter. His determination to let God guide his steps is truly inspiring. His courage to walk in obedience is an example for us all. I am honored to call him a friend.

Mr. Carter is a 38-year-old father and dad to four all-male furry babies. He is also a community coach leader who has been working as a Youth Outreach Director at Crossroads Church in Odessa, Texas. He also serves as an Ambassador for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). Born in West Texas, he has embraced his roots in the area.

When I met Garrett for the first time, I felt a bit nervous. His tall stature and strong legs gave me an immediate impression of, something pretty amazing, and I needed to know why he was beaming with such pride and grace. Mr. Carter, standing at 7 feet 1 inch, carries a narrative worth knowing.

His love for our youth is truly inspiring. He shows up consistently and walks in faith, allowing himself to be used by God to help children feel seen and heard. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. Our youth need more men and women like him.

Photo Credit; Ashyln Zavala Courtesy by Garrett Carter

What transformations have you experienced this year?

I’ve changed so much at times I don’t even recognize the person I am and it makes me emotional. I hate the person I used to be; I hate that I used to think that version of me was the best I could be. I have cried more this year than I ever have in my entire life, truly just experiencing the joy of the Lord, but also just extremely grateful for the present time Because I know what the past looks like and I don’t ever wanna go back there again. I had no vision or purpose, no ambition to do anything with my life except work, get high, party, and sleep with as many women as I could. That’s all I knew because that’s all, we grew up knowing. I still find myself getting angry and prideful at times but this year has completely broken me as the man that I thought I had to be. I’m so grateful that I don’t have to be the big guy anymore. I no longer need any of those vices that I used to lean on to help me get through my life.

How did God make His presence known in your life this year?

I have spent my life not believing in God. I didn’t need to believe in God, there was nothing that I couldn’t do on my own. There was nothing that I couldn’t get through on my own, so there was no need in my mind to look for anything other than myself to deal with and handle every situation in my life. When I accepted Jesus into my heart, I needed God to show me that this was real; that was the prayer that I needed answered the most. I didn’t know how to believe, I hadn’t seen what true faith in God had looked like from anyone in my life. He showed up for me in such a mighty way that proved to me, it could only be God.

I’m a two-time felon with drugs, gun violence, and robbery in my past, with 15 years of oilfield experience, and a double amputee with no job and no experience in anything other than the oilfield. I asked God what’s next. What am I supposed to do with this? I knew there was more. I felt it and I knew there was more to my life. There had to be more, and he showed me my mission and my purpose for the rest of my life right there in that counselor’s office at Bonham Jr High when I sat with all those students and cried with them as they unloaded all the pain in their lives to me. I had been through all of this and I knew then that God needed me right here helping the youth. He didn’t let the devil win. He showed me that the love I’ve lacked in my life is pure in him and that I am special and I’m not who I used to be. God showed me how to love and how to live.

How has your connection with God evolved this year?

Honestly, at times, I get around certain people who know way more than me biblically, and I question my relationship because I’m also questioning my effort. I often feel like I’m not doing enough, or I find myself comparing myself with others, and I have to stop and remember that I don’t have to be those people. What I can say is for the first time in my life my relationship with God is better than it’s ever been. I can say that for sure. I believe now I know God is real, and I know God is ordering my steps, and he has gone before me, no matter what, through the good and the bad, I know that there’s a story behind it, and God has put me through it for a reason.

What advice can be offered to individuals who are apprehensive about engaging in the year 2025? It is essential to acknowledge that fear should not hinder one’s ability to participate actively in opportunities for growth and development. Especially embracing a new year?

What do you have to lose? There is an entire community of people waiting to love you and help you. You just have to show up. You can’t do this on your own, evil is too strong out here in this world to live without God. We need him in our lives, and maybe you haven’t hit that point yet; maybe you still feel like you can do it on your own; maybe you haven’t had everything taken from you yet or lost everything in your life that’s important to you. Maybe you have been broken so bad that you have fallen to your knees, pleading to God to show up and if that’s you, I promise you the day will come that you will fall to your knees, asking God to save your life. – Garrett Carter

Photos by: The Daily Faith Magazine LLC

Location The Summit, Midland Texas

Coach Carter