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!

September: Carter's Corner

by The Robinsons
As we have been talking about Worshipping Weekly for two Sundays, I have mentioned Justin Martyr (100-165 AD), an early Christian apologist. He has a wonderful piece on early Christian worship dated around 150 AD. This gives us a picture of how the early Christians worshipped in the first century. The beauty of it is our worship is still very similar! Isn’t it beautiful that worship in its truest form has not changed much over the last 2000 years. Yes the music changes, of course, they didn’t have an organ in 150AD or any type of music that we have in our worship service…But the basic elements and form of worship hasn’t changed for 2000years! Even reformed contemporary worship still holds to the basic format of worship from 2000 years ago. Need I say… God is the same yesterday, today, tomorrow and forever and ever AMEN!

Read how Justin Martyr described worship:
Weekly worship of the Christians:

And we afterwards continually remind each other of these things. And the wealthy among us help the needy; and we always keep together; and for all things wherewith we are supplied, we bless the Maker of all through His Son Jesus Christ, and through the Holy Ghost. And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things. Then we all rise together and pray, and, as we before said, when our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water are brought, and the president in like manner offers prayers and thanksgivings, according to his ability, and the people assent, saying Amen; and there is a distribution to each, and a participation of that over which thanks have been given, and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons. And they who are well to do, and willing, give what each thinks fit; and what is collected is deposited with the president, who succors the orphans and widows and those who, through sickness or any other cause, are in want, and those who are in bonds and the strangers so journing among us, and in a word takes care of all who are in need. But Sunday is the day on which we all hold our common assembly, because it is the first day on which God, having wrought a change in the darkness and matter, made the world; and Jesus Christ our Saviour on the same day rose from the dead. For He was crucified on the day before that of Saturn (Saturday); and on the day after that of Saturn, which is the day of the Sun, having appeared to His apostles and disciples, He taught them these things, which we have submitted to you also for your consideration. (from chapters 61-67 of Justin’s First Apology 150AD)
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It's a bird. It's a plane. It's a pelican!!!!

by The Robinsons
“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? 

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Jordan Journey

by The Robinsons
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…
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August: Carter's Corner

by The Robinsons

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? 
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July: Carter's Corner

by The Robinsons
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



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June: Carter's Corner

by The Robinsons
“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



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MAY: Carter's Corner

by The Robinsons
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?
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