Say Hi to Kelly Carver
"Women's ministry is a healthy cycle of encouraging one another," says Kelly Carver. "It offers a space for women to be themselves and feel that they belong." Kelly is the Co-Pastor with her husband at Pleasant Valley and oversees several ministry teams including the Women's Ministry and Connections. She serves on the PennDel Women Lead Team because she believes women's ministry is a succession of learning from one another in all ages and seasons. "Also, it's so fun! Or it should be." Kelly co-led the Glow Party at the 2022 Illuminate Conference, packed with neon paint and glowing balloons.
Kelly wants women to know that authenticity is essential to her. She says, "I am open, down to earth, and don't need anyone to think I have it all together. I'm on a journey just like you!" She wishes she could tell her younger self not to rush growing up. Trust God for big things and declare His word over your life. "Also, maybe I'd tell her not to talk so much because people don't always see your heart, and girl, you need to keep some things in your head and not let them come out of your mouth!" She says smiling. She is real. People are easily attracted to authenticity in a very fabricated world.
There was a defining season in her life. It was during the years of fighting for her family and marriage while doing ministry. The enemy doesn't wait for the opportune moment to attack. But it's in the furnace God truly molds us to look most like Him if we let Him. Kelly says, "His Grace is sufficient for everyone. Including me." She was walking through pain and uncertainty for many years while still leading, which significantly shaped her. This uncertainty taught her to trust God at His word. She continues, "God showed up prophetically in my life in those early years, and I felt him speaking to me in a life-changing way that shifted something inside of me. I knew I couldn't and never wanted to do life without Jesus and the Holy Spirit."
Everything Kelly does steeps with Jesus. She is a wife, Mom, friend, and Pastor, in that order. She prioritizes mentoring and raising leaders. She is fearless when it comes to speaking life to those who are in a desert place, especially leaders. Because she was there as a leader once herself, she knows just how lonely it can feel. She has a passion for helping keep them going. To help them not feel alone. She has seen God come through time and time again. She wants to help encourage others in the faith when they can't see the other side. Her heart breaks for all ages who feel forgotten or stuck. She wants to tell them God sees them and God will move them to where you can never even imagine.
She is a visionary and a dreamer. She loves helping others see God's vision and dream for their life! She is currently reading the book Dream Giver. Right now, in this stage of life, she believes she is about to step into the years of seeing those God-dreams fulfilled. She is married for 25 years to Scott Carver and has three beautiful children. Victoria, 21 years old, is currently a student and full-time Nanny. Lucas and Aiden, are 16 and 11 years old. She doesn't yet have grandchildren but can't wait to be a Grammy one day! She loves babies and kids. She lives in the Pocono Mountains in Northeast PA. She says, "I'm a city girl at heart, but I currently live in a rural area in Brodheadsville, PA. The best place is where God calls you, right?" She has grown to like it there.
Kelly's fashion is always on point. You may catch her in a hot pink cape coat or a houndstooth poncho while she is sipping in a coffee nook or with shopping bags in hand. Besides Kelly's chic fashion, she still enjoys camping. It is one thing that surprises people about her. She is very down to earth, but people always assume the opposite because she likes makeup and fashion. She is very comfortable in many different environments. She loves spending time with friends and family. She also values her alone time when she gets to recharge her batteries. She loves cheese! She says, "Give me all the cheese! Except goat cheese. You can keep the goat cheese," with a chuckle.
Kelly accepted Christ when she was five years old, and throughout her many years of walking with the Lord, the best advice she is to take it all to Him. Pray about everything. She says, "That may seem like a canned answer, but my mother always encouraged me to pray about everything, and she modeled that for me. It has been the biggest help to me through my life." She has prayed for and over the women of PennDel and in her section. She says it's a massive milestone that her area finally feels they are coming out of the pandemic and moving forward! She says, "My vision is to see people experience the power of the transformational Holy Spirit. That there would be more diversity culturally and generationally. We've got to keep making room for more!" When she first started pursuing God's calling on her life, she wished she knew then that it doesn't happen overnight. And you have to go through some stuff.
The best way to contact Kelly is through Facebook Messenger. She wants to be a resource to you through mentoring and helping women not stay stuck. She wrote a book called, "Brave Resilient Beautiful" for teen girls. It is a fantastic mentor resource. She welcomes any opportunity to minister and speak at events. She is just a DM and a good cheese tray away.