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!

Waiting Game

“The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.” Lamentations 3:25

Have you ever prayed and prayed and prayed for something for what seems like months or maybe even years before you finally received an answer?  (Even if it wasn’t the answer you were hoping for?) Or the opposite sometimes happens and God answers right away.  Woo hoo! (And then, we hit Him up with another request.)  Lately, we have been playing the “waiting game.” (It feels like a game some times, doesn’t it?)
                                   
Instead of worrying or getting frustrated during “the waiting game,” we are supposed to wait with hope. 

I was just reminded recently of Mary and Martha having to wait on Jesus in hopes of Lazarus being healed BEFORE he died.  But Jesus had another plan and rose him from his grave.

God could have spoken to Moses sooner in the desert about freeing His people, but instead Moses had to wait for 40 years!

Or what about Abraham being promised a son?  He was 100 years old before getting that son!

(And there are many more examples throughout scripture!)

I have found that God made these folks (as well as us) wait in order to build their faith!  And that we learn to depend solely on Him!

While waiting, what do you do in the mean time? 
         *I have found myself in scripture reminding myself of how                    faithful He is and how much He loves me.  He always fulfills              His promises. 
         *I start thanking Him in advance for His answer(s).
         *I keep surrounding myself with those who pray for His will for                 my/our lives alongside us.    
         *I am covered in joy and peace as I listen and sing to praise                 music. 
         *And the list goes on and on.

Isn’t it awesome that God hears and answers EVERY prayer?  But then, when the answer comes, we are often surprised.  WHY? We’ve been praying!

All at once, we saw many of our prayers (all of which we have prayed for over time at different lengths) answered…and we are still praising Him for His will and guidance and praying that His glory will shine strong through it all.

What are you praying for these days?  Have you really placed those requests fully in His hands and that He be glorified by the results?  What’s your “waiting game” look like?


“Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” – Psalm 27:14

Identity

“I have set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” Psalm 16:8

Have you ever had those people who try and do ANYTHING to steal your  joy away?  Maybe out of jealousy or envy? Or just cause they are hoping to gain attention for their wrongdoing (even if it’s negative attention)?  Or because they want something you have so badly that they start believing their own lies and making it “true” in their head? Or because selfishness gets the best of them? Honestly, more times than not, we have no clue what the motive was behind the actions is/was...

Believe it or not, and it’s sad to admit, but this happens to us more than you would imagine.  You would think that being in ministry would make it different…WRONG.  Yes, it blows my mind as well. ; )

I had a friend ask me not too long ago, “How do ya’ll continue in ministry and keep doing His work without letting folks steal our joy through the constant attacks?”

My short response, “Who am I to let someone steal the joy God fills me with? It’s only His to give and take away! I know whose I am and with that comes more benefits than we can count.  I am His and I can’t think of anything more awesome than that! Now with that being said, ‘Nobody said that walking with the Lord would be easy.’”  (Trust me…I have to remind myself constantly about the truth behind this answer.  It’s not always easy to respond how I mentioned above yet the Holy Spirit helps me do so.)

Where is your identity?  In Christ? Or a different title of some sort (ie. Mom, Accountant, Daughter, Husband, …)?  Or maybe you are identified by how much money you make or what kind of car you drive? Or in the alcohol or drugs you turn to? Or in the company you work for? Or in the spouse you married?

I said many years ago that I am a child of God.  That’s what matters most!  My identity in Him is what keeps me grounded, gets me through the toughest times, helps me praise and hold on to Him in the good and rough times, and …


We appreciate all of your prayers as we continue to serve Him (and others in our church and community) day in and day out to glorify Him. We love ya’ll!

Pastor's Porch: January "Our Furry Son"

It was a long weekend/week leading up to Christmas to say the least.  We are awaiting the Birth of our Savior and also mourning the loss of our Baby Boy in the process.  Wait?  Duke was JUST a dog.  Well, was he?  The funny thing about that is who told Duke he was just a dog?  Kristin never told Duke that he was a dog.  I never told Duke that he was a dog.  We didn’t let anyone tell Duke that he was just a dog.  So he never found out he was a dog.  His entire life he thought he was a real boy!  He thought we were his real parents and not just his adopted parents.  That is how much we loved him, and we know that he loved us tons, too. 

Is that strange that we considered him a real boy? 

If so, why?  Duke knew he was our son, and we were all blessed over the years by each other.

God says that we are HIS children.  He says that we are adopted Sons of God.  Heirs of the Kingdom.  God in heaven said that.  Galatians 4:7 reminds us, “So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.”

Then why do so many people live like they are slaves/dogs?  Or live as if they only have scraps?

I wonder if folks listen to people over and over again when they say bad things about God as well as themselves and they lost their value over time.  Hmmm…

Now, if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory. (Romans 8:17)

How amazing is it that we are considered children of God?  Like Kristin always says, “How cool is that?”

I’m so glad that no one ever told Duke that he was a dog.  Kristin and I continuously told him that he was our son and beloved by us.  Therefore, he knew he was a child of Kristin and me and one of God’s great messengers.  He lived like a real boy and as our son, never knowing the difference.

Kristin and I know that we are children of God without a shadow of a doubt.  Has anyone told you that you are a precious child of God recently?  If not, guess what?  YOU ARE A PRECIOUS CHILD OF GOD!  What a joyous ring that has to it…say it out loud!  What a gift full of daily blessings!

As we enter 2017, a new year, let’s go in living as His children making Him proud!  Let us listen to God first and foremost!  Let’s put away all the lies that the world surrounds us with and put our trust and hope in The Lord God alone!

Happy New Year’s to Our Family and Friends!  We love ya’ll!


~Carter and Kristin