With a 97% approval the congregation voted to call PCA Teaching Elder James R. (Jim) Carter, currently serving on active duty as an Army Chaplain

The first official meeting of the newly organized New Presbyterian Church (Independent) of Pompano Beach, Florida, was held on Sunday, August 29th immediately after the organization of the church. The church began about a year ago when a large number of members left the Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church over differences in philosophy of ministry with the new pastor and majority of the leadership.

Approximately 300 charter members met at a meeting moderated by Dr. Mike Milton, President of RTS Charlotte, to elect Ruling Elders and Deacons, and then to hear the report of their Pulpit Search Committee for their nominee as the first pastor of the church.

With a 97% approval the congregation voted to call PCA Teaching Elder James R. (Jim) Carter, currently serving on active duty as an Army Chaplain. The congregation understands that Jim will have to start the process to apply for retirement from the Army and that the family will most than likely complete the school year in Carlisle, Pennsylvania where they are currently living. Jim will preach as often as he is free from duties in the Army and is expected to move into full time ministry by next Spring.

The Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel is reporting that the church is considering building a new building:

Leaders expect more than 600 members in about a year. And they’re already talking about a new building. Weekly attendance has averaged 600, with 902 on Easter and 1,700 at a patriotic concert in February, according to church administrator Jim Carlson. He said 300 have signed up as charter members, and three groups will be inducted within a year.

By late September, the expected total will be 675 first-year members. Together with visitors and occasional attendees, Carlson projects weekly attendance of 900 by October 2011. Rather than buy a church building, New Presbyterian leaders have been meeting with church planners, Carlson said. Tentative plans call for a three-level structure that can seat 2,000. “I’ve looked at 40 properties, and most are too small,” Carlson said. “We’ll probably build, and stay here until we do so.”
Anne Kennedy, the widow and Jennifer, the daughter of Coral Ridge Presbyterian founding, and until his death in 2007, the only pastor of what once the largest church in the PCA, have both left Coral Ridge and became charter members of New Presbyterian. Both were pleased to provide The Aquila Report with their thoughts about their new pastor.

“I am thrilled that Jim Carter has been chosen to lead The New Presbyterian Church,” said Anne Kennedy. “He has all the qualities to be a great senior minister. He has the same goals as my husband had and he’s consistent – he practices what he preaches. I believe he will do a great job in shepherding our flock and he certainly is an answer to my prayers.” Anne Kennedy

Jennifer Kennedy Cassidy commented: “This is such an exciting day for The New Presbyterian Church. The first time I spoke with Colonel Carter was on a conference call and I remember hanging up and saying to myself, “he is so much like my dad.” He is a leader that can cast a vision and a minister who is not afraid to take a stand. He has a passion for lost souls and has a zeal for evangelism and in addition to all that, he is a patriot and loves this country. I look forward for exciting days ahead at our church.”

Chaplain (COL) James R. Carter (Jim) was born on October 30, 1960 and is a native of Monroeville, Alabama. He graduated from Belhaven College in 1983 and immediately began studies at Reformed Theological Seminary (Jackson, MS). While in seminary, Jim served at the Pearl Presbyterian Church as an intern and Director of Youth Ministry.

He also joined the Army Reserves as a second lieutenant chaplain candidate to explore what he believed might be a call to military ministry. He graduated from Reformed Theological Seminary and was ordained by the PCA in June of 1988. Chaplain Carter answered the call to military ministry and entered the Army Chaplain Corps in Aug 1988.

In addition to his BA from Belhaven, Jim holds an MDiv from RTS Jackson and a MA in Marriage and Family Therapy, also from RTS (88). He is currently working on a Doctor of Ministry degree at Erskine College in Due West, SC.

During his time in the Army which started with the Chaplain’s School Basic Course at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, he also completed the Chaplain’s Advanced Course, the Combined Arms Service Staff School and the Command and General Staff College.

Jim is currently serving as the Senior Protestant Pastor and Deputy Garrison Chaplain at the United States Army War College Memorial Chapel at Carlisle Barracks, Carlisle, Pennsylvania (near Harrisburg).

Chaplain Carter has served over 22 years in the Army Chaplaincy, including two combat tours: Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm (August 1990 to March 1991), and Operation Iraqi Freedom (December 2007 to February 2009). He served in three different positions at Fort Stewart, Georgia; at Fort Riley, Kansas; and at Fort Bliss Texas. He completed a tour as Senior Chaplain at the West Point Cadet Chapel at the US Military Academy. His overseas assignment included Sogel, Germany and Grafenwoehr, Germany.

Chaplain Carter is married to the former Terri Ganey of Mullins, South Carolina and they have two children.

Terri grew up in a PCUS/PCA manse as the daughter of the Reverend George (and Pam) Ganey. She was born in Wilmington, NC while her dad was pastor at Etowah City, NC and lived in Durham, NC and Perry, GA where her dad moved into the PCA, before moving to Mullins, SC. She and Jim met when they were students together at Belhaven College, marrying at Mullins, SC where her dad served from 1974 to 1995, when he retired. Her brother, George F. (Gef) Ganey, III currently serves as pastor of Smyrna Presbytery (PCA) in Smyrna, Georgia.

In addition to her BA in Christian Education at Belhaven, she received a MA in Marriage and Family Therapy at RTS Jackson. She has worked professional in alcohol and drug treatment centers and family counseling while Jim as been in the Army, but makes it clear that he primary vocation is to serve as a wife and mother.

Daughter Sarah, 17, is a Senior and a fourth year varsity tennis player at Carlisle High School and after graduation expects to attend either Covenant College or Grove City College and major in Pre-Veterinary Medicine. Son David, 14, is just beginning high school and David enjoys tennis, soccer, piano, and music. He is a percussionist in his school band.