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!

Pastor's Porch: June

From our Glades June Newsletter…

You didn’t know me back in Fall of 2012, but that is when I felt called to apply to Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary’s Doctorate of Ministry Program. I was honestly a little surprised I was accepted so quickly into the program. I was excited though to have a hand written note from Dr. David Currie, the director of the program saying he was joyful that I would not just be in the doctoral program but also be in one of the actual residencies that he taught. I was VERY nervous when I stepped on campus for my first two-week residency January of 2013. The smiling faces of Dr. David and Dr. Ken, the mentors of the program track that I was a part of, put my fears away that first day. Through the three years of residency (2 weeks actually on campus each year), I had the opportunity to get to know many other pastors, these mentors, and others. The fellowship and time together inside and outside of class with these students along with the many books read, coursework, multiple papers, and thesis have been invaluable to me as a person and a pastor. Over the three years, we studied the pastor as a counselor/caregiver, as a preacher, and as a person/ leader. My thesis focused on elder leadership and was titled “An exploratory study of first time elder leadership in the Presbyterian Church.” This study shed light on the situation of elder leadership in the Presbyterian Church. Even though I believe my thesis is just the start of my work on elder leadership, I’m excited to be working through some of the ideas and concepts that I have learned in the study and bringing them to Glades to hopefully make the elder experience here a more powerful experience.


My doctorate has taught me many things, but one thing that my parents taught me and my doctorate has reinforced and encouraged is the idea of never stop learning and growing. The goal of the Gordon-Conwell doctorate of ministry (Dmin) program is to create and "to nurture passionate reflective practitioners.” I can say that through the program I have become a more passionate reflective practitioner. A part of this was the ability to create goals and truly accomplish them. What a great and powerful lesson that was in itself!


My goal for the church and you specifically is to also to continue growing spiritually, to continue growing in knowledge and understanding of what as a church we need to be doing to fulfill the Christ mandated mission of the church (Matthew 28), and also to be able to set goals and work towards them in the process, and then evaluate them.


If we are going to move forward as a church and become the church that Jesus Christ is calling us to be… A church with a mission ordained by Christ with a vision and process to make that mission a reality, it isn’t just going to happen randomly. As a church, we will need to study, learn, grow as individuals, grow as a church, grow in discipleship, and grow in maturity as believers as a body. Basically as a church, we need to work on our own Doctorate of Church where we all become a more passionate reflective practitioner in the church so that we can truly learn to fulfill God’s mission for Glades Presbyterian Church.


Pray for our leadership as we have an officer retreat June 4th. Pray that God uses that time to teach us and open us up to where He is leading us. Also pray for open hearts of the congregation to be led by the officers of the church!


-Carter

Universal Language

In Guatemala, many languages are spoken, but guess what? English is not the main one. ;) I tell you though...hugs, love, and smiles are!! Surrounding myself with folks that I couldn't truly talk to was way out of my comfort zone.  God calls us out of our comfy bubble though, doesn’t He?  Our first morning on the work site as soon as we get there, I greeted those kiddos with smiles, love, and hugs.  It was obvious that they knew right away that we were there to help them! Was priceless!  Those sweet munchkins and I exchanged hugs, smiles, and love the whole week! Again, priceless and hard to put into words.


Isn't it crazy to think how often in our every day lives how smiles can make someone's day? Not everybody is a hugger, but those of us who are, isn't it cool how a simple hug can let someone know you care and things are going to be ok? Love...I think that can be the trickiest some times. Yet God loves us so much He gave His only son. (John 3:16)  The least we can do is go love each other, even when it's hard or maybe even inconvenient.


Love, hugs, and smiles can go a long way... Have you told someone today that you love them? Did you exchange a hug with anybody? Have you smiled at someone who was initially frowning and actually a gotten a smile in return?