September 25 - October 1, 2015

Webster-Kirkwood Times

New WG Minister

11-A

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from page 10A

doing this, Carter said.
Carters work history reflects his overall mission
to fulfill his calling. As a 17-year-old preaching his
first sermon, Carter felt the call to ministry.
Ive always understood that I would have a
profession, and I would be able to nurture my call in
other ways, he said. A job is one thing, and calling
is something totally different.
I knew that I would be doing something in the
church, and whatever doors would open, I wanted to
be prepared, he added.
He prepared by getting a bachelors degree in
biblical sciences and organizational leadership from
Calvary Bible College and Theological Seminary in
Kansas City in 1999. In 2009, he earned a master of
fine arts degree in arts management and leadership
from Webster University. He received his doctorate in
ministry from Central Baptist Theological Seminary
in Shawnee, Kan., in May 2015.
Through all his jobs, Carter served part-time in
ministry at various churches. Then in 2013, he was
asked to serve as part of a five-person team of interim
ministers for Webster Groves Baptist Church,
whose longtime pastor had retired. He felt a strong
connection to the congregation, but the time and
circumstances werent right.
But when the Webster Baptist deacons opened the
door to Carter again in 2015, he was ready.
Its bigger than providence, he said. We built
very strong relationships in 2013 that we had to
leave, but we were able to pick those back up.
The congregation will welcome Carter and
his family with a luncheon Sept. 27. His family
includes wife Melinda Compton Carter, director of
communications at Washington Universitys Sam Fox
School of Design & Visual Arts; 18-year-old Malik,
a film student at Webster University; and 10-yearold Victoria, who aspires to attend the Grand Center
Arts Academy charter school.
The congregation of about 40 to 50 families is in
the midst of a planning process, exploring what it
means to be open to change, Carter said. Change may
include building relationships in the community and
the neighborhood to let people know the congregation
is still here.
The first goal of the church as a moderate Baptist
church is to love people and not hit them with a set
of rules, Carter said. We accept people the way they
are. Whatever position we take has to be informed by
the two great commandments: Love God and love thy
neighbor. Without hesitation.

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from page 1A
the 2000 bond issue that Kirkwood voters
overwhelmingly approved to rebuild the citys three
fire houses and to save the historic fire house on Big
Bend.
It was under Openlanders leadership that
Kirkwood added an ambulance service to its fire
department.
Earlier this year, in April, Kirkwood votes
passed Prop 1, a quarter-cent sales tax for fire and
ambulance services.
Prior to his employment with Kirkwood, he
worked for the city of Webster Groves from 1980 to
1997. His last position with Webster was battalion
chief.
It has been the greatest privilege, and the
honor of my life, to be the fire chief in Kirkwood,
Openlander said. While I am very pleased with
what has been accomplished by the fire department
under my leadership, I also believe that an effective
leader understands when to step aside. I am
confident that your new fire chief will possess the
right stuff to guide our department to even greater
heights.
I am very excited to see what great things lie
ahead for the Kirkwood Fire Department as they
continue to provide outstanding service to our
community, Openlander continued.
Kirkwood will name an interim fire chief while
it conducts a nation-wide search for a permanent
replacement. The first step will be to hire a
national search firm. A request for proposal to such
firms has been prepared and will be issued shortly,
according to a statement from the city.
The estimated time to hire a search firm, select
candidates, conduct interviews, and hire a new fire
chief is six months, according to the city.

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