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!

July: Carter's Corner

Walk in the footsteps of Jesus...
We’ve just spent the best part of the last two weeks walking where Jesus physically walked. WOW, what an experience! If you have never walked in the footsteps of Jesus, I encourage you to put it on your “Bucket List.” I’ve been told by a few people that they really want to go but couldn’t make it this year. We will share about our trip sometime and you can see pictures and get excited about the next time we take the trip. Hopefully, you can plan to join us then.
We walked in the footsteps of Jesus, but it isn’t the most important thing to do actually. Walking where Jesus walked doesn’t mean much if we aren’t walking WITH Jesus. We walked in the physical place, but without spiritually walking with Christ, there isn’t much meaning to the trip. The goal this year at PIPC is to be “Like Christ” and we have set up eight disciplines that help us become like Christ. Who can remember what those eight disciplines are? How are you doing with those eight disciplines? Are you growing and becoming more like Christ by committing to those eight disciplines? If you are... You are walking in the footsteps of Christ in your life, which is what we are called to do as Christians.

Recommitment of Baptism in Jordan River

Mt. Carmel   1 Kings 18



June: Carter's Corner

“The Magnificence of the Unseen” 

Read: 2 Corinthians 4

Have you ever seen what is unseen before?

That’s a contradicting question, isn’t it? Of course, we can’t see what is unseen because it is unseen. This passage is about striving for the Kingdom of God instead of earthly treasures. When it looks like the world is falling apart or when everything is going wrong (doesn’t it feel that way sometimes, or even all the time these days?), then we need to fix our eyes on something greater than this world. We need to Fix our Eyes on Christ.

More than just fix our own eyes on Christ, we need to help fix others’ eyes on Christ as well. We need to share what we’ve seen Christ do in our lives with others because they don’t know and understand the glory of Jesus Christ until someone tells them about it. This summer we are going to be focusing on the discipline of “Sharing Your Story.” The truth is, if we don’t tell our neighbors about the glorious things Jesus Christ has done in our lives, they might never hear it. At one point in time in this country, it could have been possible that someone might hear about the glory of Christ, but today, Christ’s story isn’t as well known as we think it is. It is now OUR job to share our story of Christ TODAY. This summer I’m going to be preaching from the Book of Acts and all about people sharing their stories about what Christ has done in their lives. The goal of this is to help us see Christ and know Him so we might be able to see what is unseen.

Kristin and I just got back from our yearly scuba trip to West Palm Beach, FL. Every year I am amazed at what all we see that is “unseen” by those who just look at the top of the water. Looking out over the water you never realize the magnificence of what is swimming right below the surface: the thousands of fish, the octopi, the eels, sharks, sea turtles, stingrays, and so very much more. We can get so set in our focus, that we never think about anything but what the top of the water looks like. We focus on worldly things and worldly lies, when all along the Bible tells us that there is so much more to life than what this world has to offer us. Just like looking out over the water, we can’t really see the glory of what goes on underwater. I never really understood what all was under the water until someone told me. Once I was told, I got excited and couldn’t wait to get under the water myself to see all that was there. Just like sharing our story of what Christ has done in our lives, once people hear, they will want to experience it for themselves!! This summer, let us commit to fixing our eyes on the unseen, on Christ Jesus, and then sharing the story of Christ with those around us!

Where is your gaze fixed? Are you gazing only on the top of the water? Are your sights fixed on worldly things or on what the Bible tells us to be fixed on?


“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 
2 Corinthians 4:18



MAY: Carter's Corner

What is the “Big Idea?” 
I’m not sure if you have noticed or not but recently in my sermons, I have said, “The Big Idea is___” or “The Big Idea today is___.” This refers to the key phrase for the sermon that I’m hoping people are going to remember first and will be the main takeaway from the message.
This “Big Idea” preaching comes from Haddon Robinson (no relation), a great preacher and retired professor at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. His concept is that each sermon needs one central idea and that is the “Big Idea.” Haddon Robinson also says that the “Big Idea” comes from the scripture and that each passage of scripture has a “Big Idea.” My job as pastor is to study God’s Word to find the “Big Idea” from each scripture, and then I am supposed to take that “Big Idea” and teach it to the congregation. Of course, each sermon and every sermon’s goal according to Haddon Robinson is to be transformational for the listener.

So, what’s the “Big Idea?” I’m hoping to be teaching this through my sermons. Pay attention, listen up, and see if you can hear the “Big Idea” from my sermons. It’s not the illustration, its not just one point, but it’s the “Big Idea” of the entire sermon. Since this is a new idea and concept, I’m hoping that people are going to start hearing that phrase, remembering the key idea, and maybe even writing it down. I encourage notes. Remember, transformation into becoming more like Christ is the goal. How cool would it be if we ALL are constantly being transformed by the Word of God?

April: Carter's Corner

“Son of God”
Have you seen “Son of God” yet? If you did, what did you think about it? If you didn’t, I encourage it. If you have the time, read through the Gospel of John first. If you have more time, spend time reading through Matthew, Mark and Luke before you go. But, even if you don’t read John or any of the gospels first, I suggest you GO! The movie is a continuation of “The Bible” mini series with the same cast and characters.
So often we complain how there is nothing good on TV or in the movie theaters. Well, now there are a couple of movies out in the theaters that are good so we have no excuse not to go see them. “Son of God” is out now as I write this, and by the time this article is out, “God’s Not Dead” will be showing also.
So much that we watch does not glorify God. It is good to know there are a handful of movies right now that do glorify God. My advice is GO! GO see them! We, as Christians, have a duty to change the world, right? One very simple way is to go to the theaters and see the good movies...the movies that proclaim and glorify God. Hollywood is just about chasing the mighty dollar. We can help them and encourage them to make more Christian films by showing them that Christian movies can make as much or more than other films that profane the name of Christ.
Some might say that these movie producers are just trying to make money, and that they aren’t really Christians. I heard the producers talk at Catalyst Conference, two years ago, and they talk a good talk if they don’t have Christ in their hearts. This previous year at Catalyst, we heard the producer of “Noah” talking about his goal of bringing back the Hollywood Biblical Epic. I don’t know if Noah will be a good movie. I haven't seen it yet. I have heard many different things about it. The preview we saw at Catalyst last year looked good, but that doesn’t mean it will be a good movie. Only time will tell.
Mark 9:38-40
Whoever Is Not Against Us Is for Us
“Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.” “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle
in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us. Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.”

With so much that is against Christ today and many shows/movies that profane HIS name, let's take advantage of those that don’t profane His name, and support those producers who are trying to make Christ’s name famous on and off the big screen.

March: Carter's Corner

Thanks for the prayers! What an incredible two weeks I had in Charlotte during my Doctoral Residency. The two weeks flew by! God is doing great things in many of my resident mates' lives. It was awesome to be back with my classmates that I have not seen for a year, and also have new classmates joining our Doctoral journey.
During the two weeks, we got to know and learn from Dr. Scott Gibson, who is one of the foremost authorities on preaching today. He taught us the Big Idea Biblical Preaching, which teaches us that: 1. There is a “Big Idea” in every Bible passage and 2. We are to preach that “Big Idea” clearly. One of the first things I read as I prepared for the residency was that preaching should be transformational. Every Sunday we preach, we are preaching transformation. We ALL should be transforming into more passionate disciples of Jesus Christ and becoming more like Christ.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
I don’t think it would be too far to stretch Paul’s thoughts to say that scripture is for preaching also. And most importantly, scripture is used for transforming lives as well as training us to become more passionate disciples of Jesus Christ.
During the class, each of us in the cohort had to study a passage, find the “Big Idea,” find the subject and complement, find the complete exegetical idea, find the homiletical idea, make a complete outline, and then preach the sermon without notes! It was an incredible experience! I’m hoping my preaching will change and improve greatly!

I hope you will take note of my preaching over the next few weeks, months, and years. I’m hoping we all will be able to see many differences and changes. Hopefully, everyone will be able to grow and know that transformation is the goal. I’m praying that we together can be transformed and learn to walk with HIM as a Body of Christ.

February: Carter's Corner

I will be in Charlotte at my second Doctoral Residency on February 2nd -15th. My first residency was two weeks in January- February 2013, and my third and final residency will be two weeks of February 2015. I can't believe my "middle" residency is here! Time has flown by. To prepare for this residency, I have completed some projects, read many, many, many books, written papers, studied scripture, and so much more. Kristin and I would greatly appreciate your prayers during these two weeks (well every day for that matter, but please take time these dates to lift us up to Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ). I will definitely be challenged and stretched through this residency and the rest of this journey to come! This residency is called, Pastor as a Preacher, so these two weeks are about preaching and the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the world. I know it will continue to be a lot of hard work, but I’m very excited!!

A large part of this residency is studying the Word of God. I am thoroughly enjoying being challenged by my class to truly study the Word of God. Digging deeper and studying scripture is a joy of mine.

What is your first reaction when you think about studying/actually study the Word of God? 

Do you study the Word of God on a regular basis? Is it a joy to you?

What I mean by that is do you take time and do more than read but actually study it? Get into it, study the people, the places, the geography? Dig Deep?

If not, or if so, might I suggest a book: “Rick Warren's Bible Study Methods: Twelve Ways You Can Unlock God's Word.” Rick Warren talks about 12 ways to dig into and study the Word of God. It has many practical steps to get into studying scripture.

Let’s Dive Deep into the Word Of God! 

Worthy

“Hosanna, Hosanna. You are the God who saves us, worthy of all our praises. Hosanna, Hosanna. Come have Your way among us, we welcome You here, Lord Jesus.” 

This was part of a chorus to a song I heard on the way to church a couple weeks ago. The words “You are worthy of all our praises” were in my head most of that day...and many days since then!  How often do we praise Our Father? Do we praise Him daily for everything He’s given us? Or do we just turn to Him in the storms? Do we praise Him for who He is? Do we praise Him for the little things? What about the big things? What defines the difference of little and big? What about the struggles that in the end glorify God more than had the “journey” been smooth sailing? Do we stop long enough to truly say “thank you?”

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Psalm 107:1

This song really got me thinking and thanking God for: 
Who He is! Scripture. A church. My godly husband. A roof over my head. A job. Family. Friends. My students. Worship. Accountability. Praise songs. A warm shower. Sunday School Family. Love. Various “struggles” (that in the end I would have not changed one bit). Grandparents (a special bond). A car that runs. Women’s Ministry. Having all 5 senses. Mentors. Good health. Past experiences. A testimony. Water to drink. Faith. Sunsets. Advanced education. JAM kiddos. The Beach. Upcoming opportunity to walk the footsteps of Jesus. Doctors. Challenges that have taught me to lean on Him even more. Food to eat. Forgiveness. Seasons of Life. Soft pillows and warm blankets. Hope. Communication. Prayer. And of course this list could go on and on.

This is an entry that could easily go on for pages, but I will close here with Psalm 92: 1-5.


It is good to praise the Lord
and make music to your name, O Most High,
to proclaim your love in the morning
and your faithfulness at night,
to the music 
of the ten-stringed lyre
and the melody of the harp.
For you make me glad by your deeds, O Lord;
I sing for joy at the works of your hands.
How great are your works, O Lord,
how profound your thoughts!