Carter was born to Claude and Enid Carter in Auckland, New Zealand. He earned a Diploma of Teaching at the Auckland Teachers College in 1956. After gaining his teaching qualification he worked as a teacher at District High School, Reporoa, New Zealand, in 1960 and 1961. In 1962, he gained a Licentiate of Theology (LTh) from Whitley College, Melbourne, and, in 1965, a Diploma of Ministry from the Baptist Theological College, Auckland. He was a minister at the Manurewa Baptist Church in New Zealand from 1962 to 1968. He awarded himself a Master of Arts degree (Pacific College Theological) in 1987.
