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!

March: Carter's Corner

by The Robinsons
Thanks for the prayers while I was away on my Doctoral Residency!

What was it like? It was intense! These were crazy yet awesome and powerful days. They were emotionally draining, but a COMPLETE BLESSING! God is definitely using this process for me to grow as a person and a pastor! Thanks so much for your support and prayers!

Like always, my third and final residency was AMAZING and completely relevant. This one was called “the Pastor as a Person/Leader.” Two years ago, it was “The Pastor as Counselor/Caregiver,” and last year was “The Pastor as a Preacher.” (All 3 years were totally different…I was trying to think about which year was my favorite, but I can’t begin to compare them.)

This residency focused on sustainable ministry and the pastor as a leader. We went through a variety of case studies of pastors and various situations in life. Multiple case studies related to stress and how to handle the stress. We learned from one of our leaders, who has been a pastor for 55+ years, about his break down about 50 years ago. He was trying to be everything to everyone within his church. He had a complete physical breakdown, was paralyzed and the works. Once he was able to come back to work, major changes were made in his occupational life.

We also had the privilege of learning about leadership from a Chaplain who was an Admiral and also on staff at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church. What a neat guy to meet!

Other teachings and conversations were wrapped around how different Biblical Leadership is than secular, business, and all other types of leadership. We discussed what Shepherd Leadership was and meant. We had the opportunity to hear from a professor, who spent a year in the Middle East living with the bedouin shepherds. He learned what the Bible was talking about when it talked about shepherds. It’s NOT like we think of shepherds today and is nothing like the shepherds in Scotland!

Another important topic covered was how to keep our spiritual life on track. If we aren’t the spiritual leaders that God wants us to be, then we can’t be church leaders. Spiritual formation and spiritual retreats were mentioned to help keep ourselves spiritually healthy.

This residency was full of support, prayers, advice, and encouragement as we each shared our call stories and what we are called to do. On top of that, we presented significant issue projects to the entire class, discussed them, and prayed for each other. These subjects ranged from conflict
TO denominational issues TO taking over as head pastor of a church where the pastor was there for 60 years and is still there TO a head pastor disappointed when the youth pastor rejected a sexual advance from a congregant TO church unethical financial practice TO a congregation treating
the pastors wife very mean and abusively…and this is just naming a few.

We talked about the REQUIREMENT to take a Sabbath (day of rest). Sundays aren’t going to work since that is one of the biggest work days for pastors. Taking another (on top of a Sabbath) day during the week to help care for household needs, etc. was advice given over and over again.

What is left for me? My Thesis… This will probably take me a good year or so to complete. My advisor and I kind of revamped the beginning of this major scholarly work over the residency. My thesis project will be an exploratory study of the leadership formation of first time elders on session in Presbyterian Churches.


I have so many more stories to share. Come see or call me to hear more…
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February: Carter's Corner

by The Robinsons
Never Stop Learning…

My parents started teaching me at a very young age to never stop learning, and they are still teaching me that lesson today. They have not just said those words to me repeatedly, but they actually live it out in their own lives. While I was growing up, my parents both continued to keep their teaching certificates up-to-date even though neither of them was in a full time teaching position. I know Dad went to conferences a couple times a year. They still have that lifelong learning mentality… Dad still goes to conferences even now in retirement; he is constantly learning and
growing! I love that about my parents. And I love that they have instilled that in me.

February is my month to continue my education...To learn how to be the best pastor I can be. I will leave February 1st after worship and will be in class through the 15th of February for my 3rd and final year of residency. (Yippee! If only you could see Kristin’s and my happy dances.) I will be working hard, in class all day long and working on projects in the evenings. We thank ya’ll ahead of time for joining alongside us in prayer. This is a great opportunity for me, and I thank all of you who have supported me, who have encouraged me, and understand this important process thus far. You have been a blessing! We can’t say “Thank you” enough.  We greatly appreciate the many people who are so very supportive!

Did you realize that we as Christians are
SUPPOSED to be life long learners?

We are supposed to continually be learning
and growing in our relationship with Jesus Christ.

Let’s look at it this way…Jesus Christ is walking down a road. We have to continue walking in order to walk with Him. If we stop walking, guess what? We aren’t walking with Christ. Walking with Christ requires
us to be continually learning and growing, continuously reading scripture (Day by Day).

Never Stop Learning…

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him.”
Colossians 2:6


Amen and Amen. Continue learning and walking in Christ.  Please pray for me/us as I/we do the same.
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January: Carter's Corner

by The Robinsons
“Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.  For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.  And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here!  All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:  that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.  We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.  God made him who had no sin to be sin[b] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:11-21

A New Year A New Creation.

2015…Who’d have thought that there would be a 2015?

Here we are starting a new year.  It is always an exciting time.  You can do everything again for a first time in the new year.

I was also raised eating a tradition new years feast of blackeyed peas, collard greens, and hog jow, with all the trimmings also.  A meal for good luck in the new year.

The truth of the matter is we can all have something better than good luck in the new year. How amazing would it be to actually be a new creation in 2015?  To have the old life be gone and a shiny new life in Jesus Christ!

This is what happens to us when we are in Christ!!!  We are MADE NEW and He is continually renewing us!

What does it mean to be IN CHRIST?  To have completely given up our wills and surrendered our lives to HIM.  To truly have made Him LORD (we submit completely to Him) and SAVIOR (we realize we can't save ourselves and trust that HE will save us).

Those who are in Christ are a new creation, and now we must LIVE as such!  It is so easy to fall back and live in the sinful ways that we were before we were in Christ, but Jesus has so much more planned for us… He wants so much more for us!  This new life is wonderful and exciting and it is ours if we are in HIM.  Let us no longer look back to 2014 or the “old life.” We can relate to 2014 to before we new our Lord Jesus Christ.   Let us commit together as a people of God to truly live 2015 as new creations!

As we are this new creation in Christ Jesus, let everyone who sees us see the JOY that we have in Jesus Christ our Lord!


“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” 2 Cor 5:17-18
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2014 Blessings

by The Robinsons
As we start 2015, we have been reflecting on what all God has taught us and/or reminded us of in 2014.  These are in no particular order, and we are definitely leaving some out.  So many of these could be expanded on and be a blog post/posts itself.  If we shared all of them, we would have a 5 volume set of encyclopedias.  <smile>

Excitement continues to build as we see others want to grow in Christ with us.  Oh my goodness…I am smiling even bigger as I type this one.  The first time someone admits they are a sinner…YIPPEE!!!!  The time one accepts God as his/her Savior…WOO HOO!!!!  What about when someone prays out loud for the first time…leads Sunday School for the first time…participates in a study for the first time…leads a study for the first time… Shares their testimony for the first time…  AHHHHH!!!!!  HAPPY DANCE TIME!  Those who want to hold one another accountable…  Those who want to keep worshipping and digging into scripture together…  CAN’T HELP BUT SMILE and GIVE GOD ALL THE GLORY!!!!!

Joy and peace comes from Him.  There will always be those who thrive on negativity and constantly complain.  We have the choice to become a part of that or to refuse to fall in that hole.  Pray for these people and don’t let others try to steal joy nor peace from us.

God’s timing isn’t always in sync with “our timing.”  How often do we try to rule the roost?  Or how often do we want something NOW, but God has something much better to come?

Be in scripture daily.  How do we know what God’s will is for us if we don’t know what His word says?  We pray that we become more and more like Christ every day.

Be yourself.  So often, people want you to be someone else.  Hmmm…  Never understood this, but we do know that those who are supposed to be in your life will love YOU for who God has made YOU to be.  Boy would this world be a boring place if we were all the same.

We all have different talents and gifts.  God gives us all a variety and mixture of gifts and talents for us to share them with others.  We aren’t all going to be good at everything!

Friends and family are your biggest encouragers, supporters, and prayer warriors. We appreciate those who love us, encourage us, appreciate us for who we are, hold us accountable, provide constructive criticism in a loving manner with godly ‘how to move forward’ responses, and pray with and alongside us.

Smile.  You never know when a smile could make someone else’s day (or maybe even turn a rough day of your own around).

There are times to teach and times to be taught.  It’s important to know when to lead and when to step aside and let someone else lead.

Count your blessings daily.  When it’s a “good day,” sometimes, it’s easy to forget to count our blessings.  Or…if it’s a “bad day,” it’s sometimes hard to think about “our daily blessings.”  We have found that regardless of the situation, thankfulness for what we have and those we have in our lives overflows.

Pray.  Praying is an awesome way to communicate with Our Father!  He hears every prayer!  He answers every prayer! (He may not answer in the way we had wanted or hoped for, but He knows best.  He may not answer right away (or so you think), but He does answer on HIS timing.)

Share with others what God’s been up to in your life.  Most “secrets” aren’t necessary or called for.  How often do “secrets” start rumors?  Or how often do they turn into something you never meant for them to be? Share what God’s up to.  You never know how sharing could help someone else who is going through a similar situation.

Marriage is a gift.  A gift from the Lord.  However, that doesn’t mean it’s always easy.  Marriage is supposed to be an example of the relationship with God and His bridegroom.  Pray with your spouse.  Love them.  Worship together.  Don’t take one another for granted.  Read scripture together.  

Dogs are God’s greatest messengers.  Puppy kisses make all things better.  What a great example of unconditional love!  Duke has changed our life but in the best ways ever!!!!  He will always be “our first child.” 

Lift one another UP.  A braided cord is hard to be broken.  

Don’t take one another or time for granted.  We are all guilty of this at one time or another.  Cherish those you love and take in every minute you have with them.

We don’t always understand what’s going on, but we confidently know God is in control.  Trust Him! 

God’s creation leaves us amazed.  Sunsets. Flowers blooming.  Sun shining. We are also reminded of so much of God’s creation that shines underwater.  Scuba diving shows us so much that many won’t ever see.

Always speak the truth, trust scripture, be bold.  Be different.  God calls us to be holy.  

Keep on keeping on.  We are to serve Him all our days.


HAPPY 2015!!!!!!!  We pray that your year is full of numerous blessings!!!!!!!  Take time to thank God for each and every one of them!  Much love!!!!!
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Merry Christmas 2014

by The Robinsons
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)








Merry CHRISTmas from our family to yours!!!
We love all of you!

-Carter, Kristin, and Duke
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December: Carter's Corner

by The Robinsons
The Birth of Jesus
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

New Babies!  We have new babies in the congregation this year!  I know they have completely changed the lives of their parents, haven’t they?  There are many congregants that know exactly what they are going through… You have been there before; some of you have seen your kids and grandkids go through the same process also.  

Kristin and I have not have had that blessing in our lives yet of having a child.  But we did get “Duke,” our black lab this year.  We know having a child is completely different, but boy did our lives completely change when we picked up our cute little ball of fur that now weighs over 50 pounds!  I know there are many in the congregation that understand that he is “our baby.”

As we approach Christmas this year, let’s remember that babies change lives.  There is no baby in history that has changed lives as much as this one has.  Jesus Christ changes lives.  Let’s remember 3 things this Christmas about this change of life.

First, once we come into a relationship with Christ, our lives are changed.  This is a permanent change.  We can’t change back.  Even on the days Duke is acting up, and we don’t want to have to deal with him, we aren’t just going to get rid of him!  Our lives have been permanently changed by him coming into our lives.

Second, it is visible through our lives and actions that our lives have changed.  Our neighbors know we have a black lab “Duke.”  Our lives have changed so much that it is obvious to everyone that we know!  Our neighbors see us out walking Duke all the time.  When we travel or visit family, our life is different because we bring him along with us.

Third, we are so excited about “Duke” that we are always wanting to share him with everyone.  We have pictures on our phones that we love sharing with anyone who mentions dogs or pets to us.  Kristin has his picture on facebook for everyone to see and loves sharing all that he is “up to.”  We have fun talking about him and telling everyone what a great dog he is!

This Christmas, a baby has come into our lives…  The great things about Jesus is that He didn’t just come for His parents. He came for everyone, even the lowly shepherds out in the field.  He came for you and me also.  I pray that this Christmas we can live a life changed reflecting the fact that Jesus Christ has come into our lives, that it visible to all who know us, and that we are so excited about Christ that we can’t wait to share about Him with everyone we are in contact with!


“I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” 
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November: Carter's Corner

by The Robinsons
Warning Against Neglecting Salvation
Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. Hebrews 2:1-4

Awake?  Paying Attention? What’s going on? Are we sticking to and focusing the message and salvation?

If salt loses it’s saltines, it is worthless and is thrown out. (Jesus — Gospel of John)

Are these the same two messages?  That we need to stick with it, not neglect, and pay attention to what we have heard.  It might seem simple, but how often can we lose focus and suddenly we are focusing on something that is not as important as this message from God, as our salvation?  I am not even sure we even realize we are doing it, and then we are there…our eyes are focused on something completely different from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as revealed in scripture.

Maybe that’s the key.  Scripture.  Scripture is what reveals Christ, the message and salvation to us.  Are we in scripture enough to be focused on those messages?  If just for a moment we take our eyes off Christ, we can find ourselves sinking like Peter, or focusing on a class, or a person, or a building, or tolerance, a meal, or a ministry even.  When they are our focuses, we are out of focus.  Paul said he preached Christ crucified and that was the most important thing.  Focus on Christ above everything else.  Yes classes, people, buildings, tolerance, meals, ministries aren’t in themselves bad, but they become idols when the focus becomes those things over what the Bible repeatedly tells us to focus on: Jesus Christ and Christ alone.

What does that look like today?  That solidarity focus?  Maybe you are saying that we have to have all these classes, people, buildings, tolerance, meals, ministries to have a successful church.  Honestly reading through the Bible, the early church didn’t seem to have much of any of those things.  Actually the early church was persecuted to the point of death, and it grew exponentially through the Holy Spirit.  So just hear me out…maybe we need more Holy Spirit, more focus on Jesus Christ and salvation.  Maybe we need focus?  Or is focus a lost art today in a world of “multitasking”?  Maybe we need to reinvent the idea of focus and say no to “multi-tasking” and therefore focus on Christ Jesus and Christ Jesus alone.  Maybe take a season in life and make that a priority.  Make Him (Jesus Christ) a priority and focus on Him more specifically.
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