Jimmy Carter, who departed this life on December 29th at the grand age of 100, is best remembered as the 39th President of the United States. However, he also held a cherished place in the hearts of many as the world’s most renowned Sunday school teacher.

During his 1976 presidential campaign, Carter candidly shared his Baptist faith, garnering support from numerous evangelical Christians when he identified himself as “born again.”

Carter peacefully passed away at his home in Plains, Georgia, with his family by his side, according to a statement released by The Carter Center.

In the heartfelt tribute, his son Chip Carter remarked, “My father was a hero, not just to me, but to all who stand for peace, human rights, and selfless love. My siblings and I shared him with the world through these beliefs we held in common.”

After his presidential term ended in 1981, Carter dedicated decades to humanitarian causes and peace advocacy, including building homes with Habitat for Humanity, monitoring elections worldwide, and aiding efforts against diseases like Guinea worm.

Despite his global engagements, many Sundays found the former president fulfilling a treasured commitment: teaching Sunday school at his local Georgia Baptist church.

Maranatha Baptist Church often displayed his teaching schedule on its website, complete with guidelines for visiting. Visitors were allowed to take photos with Carter and his wife Rosalynn post-service but could not request autographs.

His beloved wife, Rosalynn Carter, predeceased him, passing away at 96 on November 19, 2023.

More recently, the church initiated a “Carter Challenge” page inviting people to share their personal “Jimmy Carter story,” inspired by his encouragement for attendees to “do one good thing for one other person.”

“Jimmy Carter’s identity is deeply entwined with his decades-long vocation as a Sunday school teacher,” stated historian Bill Leonard, professor emeritus of divinity at Wake Forest University. “He devoted every week of his adult life to studying and teaching the Scriptures.”

Uniquely, Carter was the only U.S. president to teach Sunday school while in office, as reported by the White House Historical Association. Other presidents like McKinley and Roosevelt taught before, and Harrison did so after their respective terms.

In a 2014 visit to the LBJ Presidential Library, Carter spoke candidly about his enduring dedication to Bible teaching, sharing, “I belong to Maranatha Baptist Church where I usually teach Sunday school about 35 times a year.”

He reflected on sharing Bible lessons since his naval days, beginning at 18 while at Annapolis.

His engaging lessons drew hundreds to his rural Georgia church, as he linked Biblical themes to contemporary issues.

“In my weekly lessons, I spend the first 10 to 15 minutes discussing recent events, my own experiences, or upcoming endeavors, and exploring how they align with Biblical teachings and universal moral values,” he mentioned in 2011.

“Through the Year with Jimmy Carter: 366 Daily Meditations from the 39th President,” published the same year, recapped numerous lessons he taught, including those given during his White House years at Washington’s First Baptist Church.

Suzii Paynter, former Cooperative Baptist Fellowship executive director, likened him to a “precursor to TED Talks,” saying, “He knows how to draw a crowd from the podium.”

Born on October 1, 1924, in Plains, Carter graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1946 and served until 1953, notably aboard the USS Pomfret, as mentioned on his Presidential Library bio. He left active duty upon his father’s passing.

Carter and his wife returned to Georgia, where he managed the family farm supply business and embarked on a political journey, eventually becoming Georgia’s Governor in 1971.

He ascended to the presidency five years later, enduring political challenges that contributed to his defeat by Ronald Reagan in 1980, shifting evangelical support to the Republican Party.

Through his political career, Carter remained actively involved in his local church community.

Eventually, Carter distanced himself from the Southern Baptist Convention when it changed its faith statement, which limited women’s roles within the church, yet he continued attending the more moderate Maranatha Baptist Church.

Despite theological differences, his former denomination admired his dedication to teaching Scripture.

R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, remarked in a 2019 interview, “History will remember Carter as a president who passionately identified with Christianity and Scripture, unparalleled in his commitment.”

Maranatha drew a record crowd of 878 people in the 2000s, far exceeding the town’s population.

Overflow crowds often gathered in makeshift seating arrangements.

“We seated everyone we could,” recalled church member Jan Williams of the day a record number of attendees arrived, with some only listening from outside. “Not everyone saw him until afterward. They heard him.”

Extra chairs were occasionally set up in the choir loft for these occasions.

“Visitors arrive for this chance, and turning them away isn’t an option,” Williams noted.

Despite this draw, Carter aimed for visitors to leave with more than just a photo.

“His teachings from the Bible guide you to transform his lessons into new life experiences,” she explained, “motivating you to improve beyond where you were.”

Tony Lowden, Maranatha’s former pastor, shared in June 2022 that Carter was no longer attending in person but said, “I bring church to him,”- ministering to him and his wife throughout the week.

“Sunday school was just a part of his journey; he walked with the Lord every day,” he added.

Maranatha’s future is uncertain without Carter’s presence.

“Future plans depend on attracting new members to our area,” Williams commented in 2014, “Many people in Plains are already part of a church.”

In place of new lessons from Carter, those touched by his teachings and even those new to church life will carry his memory.

“He seemed comfortable with himself and his role,” said Balmer, “standing before sizable audiences, mostly newcomers, discussing Jesus, the Bible, and its impact on his life.”