About the Author
My name is Neil Carter and I am a high school teacher who lives and works in the Atlanta area. I am a part of a fellowship of believers in Lithia Springs that meets in homes in a very simple manner. You can see the things I write about lived out in real life among the Christians with whom I meet and live. But first let me tell you my story.
My Story
I grew up in Jackson, Mississippi and first came to know the Lord there in the First Baptist Church of Jackson. Since then the Lord has put a fire in my heart to experience Him and know Him above all else. I have subsequently discovered that following Him does not always lead down the beaten path.
When I was still a new believer a friend of mine (thanks, Paige!) invited me to come hear an itinerant preacher from Minnesota named Dave Busby. Dave’s passion in life was to communicate God’s desire to be known and loved, rather than "served" and "obeyed." Early on I learned that God is not satisfied with "playing church" from week to week, never going deeper into intimacy with Him. Dave set the course of my life when he shared about the story of Mary of Bethany sitting at the feet of Jesus (see Luke 10:38-42).
About the time I began college (Mississippi College), I met Joe Shelton, who is part redneck, part hippie, part musician, and part preacher. Joe spoke about a Lord even bigger and better than I had yet known. He shared a radical message about our freedom in Christ, and how in the death of Christ the old Law was ended. I found that being set free from all of the religious burdens of evangelical Christianity only spurred me on to love the Lord more than ever before. Through countless conversations with friends like Joe, Larry McLendon, and Johnny Taylor, I was introduced to the writings of A.W. Tozer, Brother Lawrence, Francois Fenelon, Madame Guyon, Norman Grubb, Watchman Nee, and Gene Edwards (see the writers section for more about these authors). Johnny, Joe, and Larry showed me by their lives that God is ingenious in His schemes to draw us closer to Himself. These friends were so valuable in my life for showing me that Christ is my life, and that He can be known at any time and in any place.
When I was 20 I read several books by Gene Edwards published by the Seedsowers publishing company. In particular, I read Revolution and Climb the Highest Mountain. Gene put form and thought around impressions that had been growing in me for two years through Bible study, through experience, and through the inner witness of the Spirit in me. It became clear to me at that time that I could not continue down the road I had chosen toward professional ministry. If you want an explanation of the reasons why I made this decision, you can read this article.
After college I married my wife, April (who is much smarter and more stable than I am). Next I earned a degree from Reformed Theological Seminary, just for fun. Since that time my wife and I have become the proud and busy parents of four beautiful and entertaining little girls.
By the way, don’t let the fact that I’ve got a website mislead you to believe that I am the pastor of the church in which I live. In case you were wondering, I have no such title, and no more authority than any other brother or sister in the church here. If you don’t believe the things I write of are possible, then you should come visit us. Listen to the songs we write. Hear the testimonies we share. Witness the passion for the Lord which burns in every person present. You can find out more about the church I live in by clicking here. Feel free to send me feedback with any questions or concerns you have with what I have written.