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Men of Faith Breakfast to Feature Army Veteran On October 21

The Men of Faith organization will hold a community-wide breakfast on Tuesday, October 21, at The Church at Horseshoe Bay Fellowship Hall. Michael Carson will be the featured speaker, taking the group through his faith journey as a 19+ year Army veteran up to his present-day Christian service. The men’s fellowship will begin at 7:30 a.m. with coffee and breakfast being served, and the program will start at 8:00 a.m. and end about 9:00 a.m. All men from the area are invited to attend.

Michael Carson was raised in the small West Texas town of Bovina. Growing up on a farm and ranch, he was shaped by hard work and community. He was a multi-sport athlete at Friona High School, and upon graduating, he enlisted in the Army National Guard, swearing in on the morning of 9/11 - unaware of the profound journey that awaited him.

Michael went on to serve 19+ years in the U.S. Army, with 14 years on active duty. As an 11B Infantryman and longtime instructor, he trained soldiers in Urban Operations, Marksmanship, Heavy Weapons, Hand-to-Hand Combatives, and the Warrior Transition Course. His deployments included Iraq (2005-2006, Operation Iraqi Freedom with the 82nd Airborne Division) and Kosovo (2010-2011, KFOR 14).

Michael’s time in combat brought not only physical dangers - surviving a suicide bombing, rocket attacks, and an abduction into Serbia - but also deep emotional and spiritual wounds. He returned home to face the tragic suicides of two close friends and the heavy toll of PTSD. He struggled to cope, turning to work, adrenaline, and substances to escape the pain. Eventually, addiction, divorce, and despair led to a suicide attempt involving a lethal combination of pills, methamphetamine, and alcohol.

But God was not finished with Michael. Through a remarkable series of divine interventions - including a drug dealer, a Bible app, a fellow veteran, the Combat Trauma Healing Manual, a supernatural encounter with God, and the Freedom Book - God broke through the darkness. Michael encountered Jesus and surrendered his life to Him. That surrender marked the beginning of a transformation from brokenness to bold faith; from trauma to testimony.

Michael will share with the Men of Faith his inspiring journey and the Jesus-led activities he has undertaken since leaving the Army. His activities include work at the local and national levels, helping young and old navigate the challenges of life.

The Men of Faith, sponsored by The Church at Horseshoe Bay is ecumenical and welcomes all men in the area to participate.  Its mission is to create opportunities for fellowship and fun, spiritual growth, and sharing the gospel message for men in the area by initiating and supporting programs that demonstrate Christian values. The group encourages assistance to existing and new church and community programs and works to provide resources and volunteers for various existing programs and functions, new endeavors, care giving, and special focus projects.