The shoulders are stooped now; the gait slower, the once sandy-blonde hair completely white, and the hands trembled a bit. But that unmistakable toothy grin and blue eyes brightly sparkled to the entire congregation that rainy April morning. Welcome to Jimmy Carter’s Sunday School class in Plains, Georgia.
Driving into tiny Plains, it is hard to believe that such a small town would produce a future President of the United States. Plains (population 637) contains no strip malls, franchises, or even a single traffic light.
Within the city limits are Carter’s boyhood home, and his high school. The Plains Depot, which served as Jimmy Carter’s Presidential campaign headquarters in 1976, is a makeshift museum, containing a history of his life. Across the street stands a simple service station once owned by Billy Carter, the president’s colorful brother.
Located a mile down State Highway 45, is Maranatha Baptist Church, where President Carter teaches a weekly Sunday School class.
While waiting outside, I noticed the church resembled a typical rural house of worship, with the exception of Secret Service agents roaming the grounds with German Shepherds.
We slowly began filing into the sanctuary, which held about 300 people. Once inside, we were introduced to Judy Rawls (check name), our host for the day. Immediately I could tell she was a former school teacher, and she meant business. A tough but humorous woman, she briefed us on the rules of the church. If we did not abide by these rules, the Secret Service would quickly escort us out.
Precisely at 10:00 am, and without any fan fare, President Carter walked in, smiling for everyone’s cameras. After a brief introduction, his Sunday School lesson began. Since the majority of the congregation were tourists, I was impressed with the well-behaved and quite reverent crowd. I suppose we all felt honored to be in the presence of a former President.
Following the worship service, the Carters were gracious enough to wait outside and take photos with everyone.
After leaving the church, I stopped for one final photo op at the famous ‘Smiling Peanut’, built for President Carter during the Presidential campaign of 1976.
Check the Plains website to confirm President Carter will be teaching that particular week. http://mbcplains.com/index.php/sunday-school/
If you wish to attend Jimmy Carter’s Sunday School class, you need to arrive an hour early, unless you want to sit in the church kitchen.
Driving into tiny Plains, it is hard to believe that such a small town would produce a future President of the United States. Plains (population 637) contains no strip malls, franchises, or even a single traffic light.
Within the city limits are Carter’s boyhood home, and his high school. The Plains Depot, which served as Jimmy Carter’s Presidential campaign headquarters in 1976, is a makeshift museum, containing a history of his life. Across the street stands a simple service station once owned by Billy Carter, the president’s colorful brother.
Located a mile down State Highway 45, is Maranatha Baptist Church, where President Carter teaches a weekly Sunday School class.
While waiting outside, I noticed the church resembled a typical rural house of worship, with the exception of Secret Service agents roaming the grounds with German Shepherds.
We slowly began filing into the sanctuary, which held about 300 people. Once inside, we were introduced to Judy Rawls (check name), our host for the day. Immediately I could tell she was a former school teacher, and she meant business. A tough but humorous woman, she briefed us on the rules of the church. If we did not abide by these rules, the Secret Service would quickly escort us out.
Precisely at 10:00 am, and without any fan fare, President Carter walked in, smiling for everyone’s cameras. After a brief introduction, his Sunday School lesson began. Since the majority of the congregation were tourists, I was impressed with the well-behaved and quite reverent crowd. I suppose we all felt honored to be in the presence of a former President.
Following the worship service, the Carters were gracious enough to wait outside and take photos with everyone.
After leaving the church, I stopped for one final photo op at the famous ‘Smiling Peanut’, built for President Carter during the Presidential campaign of 1976.
Check the Plains website to confirm President Carter will be teaching that particular week. http://mbcplains.com/index.php/sunday-school/
If you wish to attend Jimmy Carter’s Sunday School class, you need to arrive an hour early, unless you want to sit in the church kitchen.
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