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PLAINS, Ga. — The experience never lost its charm. No matter how many times individuals gathered in the humble sanctuary of Maranatha Baptist Church, there was always new insight to be discovered from the thoughtful, Bible-based teachings of Jimmy Carter.
This was a different aspect of the 39th president, showcasing a grounded man of unwavering faith who skillfully balanced his life between teaching Sunday school, constructing homes for those in need, advocating for equitable elections, and fighting to end devastating diseases.
Maranatha became a unique sanctuary for everyone — young and old, straight or LGBTQ+, believers and skeptics alike, people of every ethnicity. It was a serene spot tucked away in southwest Georgia where, even in his 90s, Carter continued to connect with individuals across the globe.
Those who ventured into the small town of Plains, characterized by a single blinking caution light and a few hundred residents, found themselves in the presence of a man who once held the highest political position in the country. Carter’s Sunday school classes, taught approximately twice a month, often attracted crowds exceeding 500 attendees, while other services typically drew only a dozen or so regular congregants.
In the confines of Maranatha, the former president and his wife, Rosalynn, of over 70 years, were affectionately known as Mr. Jimmy and Ms. Rosalynn. Regardless of a person’s background, everyone was welcomed to worship alongside them.
Preparations for attending a Sunday session involved a series of rules established by Jan Williams, a dedicated church member and close camaraderie of the Carters. Like a skilled drill sergeant, she would outline protocols that emerged from Mr. Jimmy’s orderly, engineer-like mindset.
One primary rule for those eager to take photographs with the Carters — which nearly everyone wished to do — was to remain through the main 11 a.m. service, as photo opportunities began around noon. Leaving the church premises early meant forfeiting the chance to return. Adhering to guidelines was mandatory: no autographs, no handshakes, and brief exchanges limited to polite greetings.
Dressed consistently in a sports jacket, slacks, and a bolo tie, Carter would initiate his lesson by engaging with attendees, often eliciting laughter with his humorous inquiry about the visitors, asking where they hailed from. During multiple visits to Maranatha, I can recall hearing responses from all 50 states and numerous distant countries.
In response to anyone identifying Washington, D.C. as their origin, Carter would instantly respond with a grin, reminiscing about his time spent there.
The themes of Carter’s Biblical teachings revolved around life, unconditional love from God, and the freedom to lead a fulfilling existence, often prefaced with anecdotes about his life experiences or views on global issues.
He could reference his work with Habitat for Humanity, discuss U.S. military interventions since World War II, share stories of his time with The Elders, or recount lighthearted moments, like trout fishing trips with Ted Turner. He would talk candidly about The Carter Center’s initiatives aimed at eliminating diseases like the guinea worm, as well as his long-standing friendships with musical icons like Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan.
“Willie Nelson is an old friend. He used to visit me at the White House,” he would share, lightly touching upon Nelson’s well-documented affinity for marijuana. “I can only imagine what they did after I retired for the evening. I’ve heard whispers,” Carter would say with a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
One of my preferred stories involved Carter discussing a recent book project, where he humorously reflected on his longstanding reliance on encyclopedias for research. Realizing how much space they consumed, he decided to donate his collection to local schools, only to discover that modern references had moved on. “How do I look up things now?” he speculated, pausing before answering, “Google.”
On many occasions throughout my visits to Maranatha, Carter would stand and speak for about 45 minutes, his sharp mind remaining engaged while occasionally referring to notes within his Bible. The physical toll of aging, however, became increasingly evident as he advanced deeper into his 90s. He would openly discuss the challenges that came with growing older.
Despite urging from church members to take a seat during his teachings, he resisted. I witnessed him try this for the first time in August 2018, stating, “I’m uncomfortable sitting down but perhaps I’ll get used to it.”
His tenure seated in a chair was brief, lasting less than ten minutes before he stood up to finish the class. The subsequent year saw Carter make use of a remote-controlled chair designed to elevate him, ensuring visibility for everyone in the space, whether seated in the main sanctuary or overflow areas where video feeds broadcast his lessons.
While some visitors may have felt displeased by not being part of the main hall, being in a side area had its advantages. Arriving about 15 minutes before session start times, Carter would pass through these smaller rooms, taking brief questions that were not permitted in the larger group setting.
Following a profile shared in a prominent publication that highlighted regular Saturday dinners with friends at their home, I jokingly asked Carter about his wine consumption from the previous evening. He jokingly responded, “I’ll say one,” with a playful look, while Stuckey behind him shook her head with two fingers raised.
Regardless of where one sat — in the expansive sanctuary or a smaller classroom — every attendee could capture a photo with Mr. Jimmy and Ms. Rosalynn. For many, this was the real highlight. Initially, photographs were taken outside under a tree. However, following Carter’s cancer diagnosis in 2015, the couple transitioned to posing indoors.
Carter would often jest about the burden of photo-taking, knowing they had captured countless memories with visitors. “I’ll be happy to take pictures with all of you,” he would quip, adding with a wink, “Actually, since I’m in a church, I suppose I should say ‘willing.’”
For my family, those photos represent a timeline of a boy blossoming into a man, all with the beloved figures of Mr. Jimmy and Ms. Rosalynn appearing alongside.
Attendance for Carter’s Sunday school saw a decline during the financial crisis, yet crowds surged following his cancer diagnosis, with some eager individuals lining up outside the church overnight. Carter announced he was cancer-free but had to face other health complications. After suffering a minor fracture from a fall in October 2019, the church declared his upcoming lesson canceled.
However, Carter was determined to continue. When the church tried to cancel without his consent, he made it clear that he would oversee the lesson, prompting us to quickly rebook our plans. On that day, he delivered a moving lesson centered on the Book of Job, discussing the concept of life after death.
Expressing his own uncertainties throughout his life, he shared how affliction transformed his doubts into readiness for whatever comes next. “We have nothing to fear after death,” Carter assured with an endearing smile, ending his lesson by encouraging everyone to perform a kind act for a stranger, claiming, “I’m going to hold you to it.”
Unfortunately, he never had that opportunity. His health continued to deteriorate, especially during the Christmas season. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 brought further closure to gatherings. By summer, it became evident that Carter’s cherished role as a teacher and spreader of goodwill, which he picked up at age 18, had come to a close.
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