Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter prepares to teach Sunday school
at Maranatha Baptist Church in his hometown of Plains, Georgia on April 28, 2019.
Paul Hennessy | NurPhoto | Getty Images
Former President Jimmy Carter broke his hip earlier this month and had it surgically repaired. For many 94-year-olds this might be the beginning of the end. But Carter is a remarkably resilient man and while he was a little frustrated that he missed the end of turkey hunting season he was planning to return to teaching Sunday School almost immediately. He did miss the May 19th class but could return for June.
Carter has taught an adult Sunday School class for decades and it is very popular. It meets in the sanctuary of Maranatha Baptist Church in Georgia and while it seats 350, sometimes people are turned away. The class is at 10:00 but visitors are asked to be there for 9:00 and many are there before the doors open at 8:00. Impressive.
Various celebs attend the class from time to time and recently Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg and his husband, Chasten Glezman, joined the large crowd. Buttigieg is rattling the cage of US politics because he openly gay and openly Christian. At Carter's invitation Buttigieg stood and read from the Bible as part of the lesson at Maranatha Baptist Church. Other Democratic candidates have attended as well.
I love that Carter still leads the class, and that his Christian faith is inclusive and welcoming. Nuff said.
Comments?
I've been a fan of Carter for a long time. He seems like a man who is driven to help others - whether it's Habitat for Humanity or teaching Sunday School. He's also a pretty smart guy. Many years ago I read his book on Middle East politics, and was very impressed.
ReplyDeleteSo interesting that he was a one-term president, considered by many to be weak and ineffective. Perhaps if he had been a blustering bully he would be remembered with greater fondness. I'm with you as a fan, Roger.
ReplyDeleteI have a great deal of respect for Jimmy Carter. I would be lining up to get into his Sunday School class, too. (Hmmmm ... we don't have any adults lining up here to get to a Sunday School class...or mid week study.)
ReplyDeleteThanks for adding your thoughts Judy. You would always be welcome to join the study groups at Trenton United! I've offered well-attended study series on Dementia, Celtic Spirituality, and Miracles, with more to come in the Fall. Son Isaac, the pastor, has offered interesting groups as well.
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