About Us

Kristin is a Southern Georgia belle, who graduated from UGA as a veterinarian May 2010. Carter grew up in NC, went on to seminary, became an ordained pastor, and has completed his doctorate of ministry. After retiring from full-time ministry, Carter is thoroughly enjoying being a financial advisor (and volunteering on the ministry side of things). After about a month of emailing, asking questions, and going through the steps of eharmony.com, we were full of excitement and became very eager to meet one another face to face. October 25, 2009, we met and enjoyed every minute together. We had no doubt God was going to strengthen our relationship with Him as well as with one another. Carter proposed August 9, 2010 on the boat in the middle of Lake Wylie at sunset. Kristin said "Yes" after some happy tears. We got married April 2, 2011 and what an amazing beautiful day that was! God has continued to bless us throughout our marriage. On May 18, 2017, our family grew when God gave us our son, Micah. We look forward to see what He has in store for us each and every day. We are super blessed to be serving the Lord wherever we are. God is constantly surprising us with new callings!

It's a bird. It's a plane. It's a pelican!!!!

“He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:30
What comes to mind when you see pelicans flying together?  Carter and I FINALLY made it to the beach to chill out for a couple hours the other day.  We saw pelicans fly over the ocean as well as above our heads and the sandy beach.  On both occasions, the pelican who was initially the leader switched spots with a fellow pelican friend.  I smiled, looked at Carter, and said, “That’s what leadership is all about.  Our young men and women studies as well as the adult Sunday school class are doing this!!! How awesome is that?”

So often in the work place, churches, bible studies, people get in a routine.  Let’s just sit here and let ONE PERSON do all the work.  “I’m not good enough.” “I don’t know the Bible well enough.”  “That makes me move out of my comfort zone.” “I can’t do that.”  “You know more than I do.”  “I don’t have time.” 

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”
 James 4:10
I remember the first time I prayed out loud…bright red faced and sweating like crazy.  Or the first time I co-taught a lesson for a Women’s Study with a mentor…scared to death, as nervous as I could have been.  We all have to start somewhere, right?  We all have these “I can’t do it” moments.  I have said it many times, “If I, Kristin, were the one leading, I wouldn’t be! God is the One leading through me!”  It’s so not about me, it’s about Him!!!!  

It’s been awesome watching the baby steps being taken for our Young Adults here at PIPC.  Some have found out they LOVED spending time with the youth or children.  Or, “I survived teaching Sunday School! That wasn’t bad at all.”  Or, “I can read scripture out loud…”  “God equips me so that I can glorify Him!!!!”

Boy is God at work, and we love it!  We see it all the time, but enjoy when others see it and share as well.  Carter and I can’t do it all.  We appreciate all who have trusted God, stepped out in faith, and have joined us in leading our children, youth, and young adults!  Love you!

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 
1 Peter 4:10

Where are you in the line of pelicans?  Are you ready to shift forward?  If so, go for it!  (I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Phil 4:13)  If not, what’s holding you back? 

Jordan Journey

Many of you were praying for us as we jumped on the opportunity to Walk in Jesus’ Footsteps over in Israel and Jordan this summer for two weeks.  Stories will be shared here and there in regards to this amazing trip.  One that keeps replaying in my mind occurred while traveling the LONG, desert roads of Jordan, where you pretty much saw only sand and dust for miles.  We were in the middle of nowhere. As we drove and I gazed out the bus windows beyond the endless miles, I felt God tell me, “Keep on going.  Don’t give up.” 

Hmmm…why did God tell me this at that particular time?  Was it because I was frustrated that my sensitive stomach wasn’t holding up as we travelled?  Was it about things going on teaching-wise? Was it because I was having anxiety towards a variety of things going on? How can I do ____?  (Many things can fill in that blank.)  Was it that I was questioning how I was going to be able to help facilitate another Women’s Bible Study in the Fall?  Was it because of veterinary challenges/possibilities? Marriage busyness? Friends and what they are going through?  How can I keep going at the pace we are?  How can I be this and that and show up here and there day after day? The list and questions continued…  I definitely didn’t have the answers then nor was I able to put my finger on the specific reason or worry of why God spoke loudly about this.

What I do know is that God’s word is there to teach us, encourage us, be grasped in truth, and to be the light when we land in darkness.  That darkness can be something as simple as confusion, frustration, wanting to give up, etc.  Basically anything that pulls you away from God…

Some verses that came to mind were: 

It is God who arms me with strength, And makes my way perfect. Psalm 18:32

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Heb. 12:1

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. I Cor. 9:24

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10


My question to you is: where in life are you ready to just throw your hands up?  Where do you want to give up? Do you have a favorite scripture verse that you lean on when you hit the “want to give up” wall?  Lean on Him.  Lean on His Word.  Hand over fully any worries or stresses you have to Him.  God is with us and wants the best for us! Keep running the race…towards Our Father.  If you are praying, why worry? Are we glorifying God through how we respond to situations like the above ones mentioned?  I could write on for hours about what all has gone through my mind and still fills my heart from just this one of many “God winks” from this trip.  We could venture down many trails of conversation for this one…

August: Carter's Corner


Frogs and lizards are both amphibians, right? But they are very different, aren’t they? I am not a science person, (my wife Kristin is a science person) but I know there are some major differences between frogs and lizards.

Frogs — They have tongues that extend to catch their food as the food “flies” by them. The frogs sit and wait for their food to come to them, and then they fling their tongues out to catch their prey.

Lizards — I actually caught an Anole when I was younger and had him (I just assumed it was a he) as a pet for a few weeks. I went to the bait store, they gave me 2 crickets, and I put them in the cage with my Anole. I was lucky enough to be there and watch as the Anole was running around chasing the cricket. Finally I saw him spring into action and lunge after the cricket and swallow his meal whole. The lizard doesn’t sit around and wait for food; the lizard goes out and hunts his food.

July 20, 2014, I introduced the concept of Frogs and Lizards... Remember, I talked about how, in the Scripture we looked at how Peter and John were frogs, and Phillip was a lizard. Frank and I are the frogs in the congregation...we are seminary trained and people come to us. We teach, preach, and train lizards. You, the congregation, are the lizards, each and every one of you. You are called to share your story wherever you go and to share Christ everywhere. (Acts 8:4 Those who had been scattered preached the Word wherever they went.”) People who are lizards are always mobile, see people, and go after them eager to share their story. Frogs are not as mobile; they sit and people come to them.

I mentioned that Frank and I are only 2, and the congregation is 460. What’s the difference between 2 and 460? HUGE. Your influence could be great! Think of the thousands of places Jesus Christ can penetrate if 460 lizards of the congregation share Christ wherever they go! It is truly amazing to think about what could happen, isn’t it?

I asked two questions in the service: 1-Is PIPC a congregation full of lizards? 2-Are you a lizard?

What do you think? Are you going out wherever you go...to country clubs, work, civic organizations, on vacation, the grocery store, (you fill in the blank), school, EVERYWHERE... sharing your story and sharing Christ? Our congregation needs to scatter, go out, and share Christ with others wherever we go!

Where are you going next?