We have been praying for almost a year now about Carter continuing to further his education in ministry. God has been clearly saying “Yes, Go for it,” but we didn’t have a clear answer on the timing of Carter trying to pursue this call. He just started a new job. We just moved to Pawleys. Both of us have new occupational responsibilities….and the list goes on and on. Since we have moved to the coast, we have been crazy busy. However, to make a long story short, we both strongly believed God was nudging us, yes us (being a pastor’s wife is a full time job in itself), to partake in this possibility….BEFORE we try to have a family. Don’t get us wrong, if we found out today that we were going to be “mommy and daddy,” we would be ecstatic. We are truly enjoying our marriage and “just the two of us” right now. God is fully in control of this area of our life, just like every other area though.
Carter applied to Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Charlotte about a month ago with hopes to accomplish a dream of his by completing a Doctor of Ministry program. We found out yesterday that he has been accepted. Woo hoo!!!!!! This program is 3 years long and will require Carter to be in Charlotte for 2 weeks each year (so 6 weeks away total over these next 3 years). In between having to be present at GCTS, Carter will have a ton of reading, papers, and projects to complete. Instead of traveling to conferences here and there throughout the year for his “continuing education,” these 2 weeks will take the place of those required “learning” hours. The first residency for “Pastor Skills: The Pastor as Preacher, Caregiver, and Person” begins at the end of January 2013. The session of PIPC has been super supportive of this new adventure for Carter. I have no doubt that the rest of our PIPC congregation will join us in this exciting phase of our lives as the news starts trickling out.
We will be praying as we continue to go down this path God has paved for us. We would be forever grateful if you would join us in prayer. Our biggest prayer now is wrapped around how we are going to be able to afford this learning experience. However, we confidently know God will provide. GCTS recommended getting the church to help with these finances. On that note, our session has set up a fund for people to confidentially donate to “Carter’s Doctor of Ministry Fund.” If you feel led to donate to this endeavor, please send a check (written payable to “PIPC” and write “Carter’s DMIN Fund” in the memo line) to:
Pawleys Island Presbyterian Church
9967 Ocean Highway
Pawleys Island, SC 29585.
ANY donation will be greatly appreciated and tax deductible as well. Please contact either one of us if you have any questions. Thanks for joining along side of us in prayer!
All for His Kingdom,
Carter and Kris
