The past two weeks I’ve been in my hometown, Albany, Georgia, and today marked the 96th anniversary of my late father’s birth.
Most fittingly, I spent the morning in Plains, Georgia — a 45-minute drive from Albany — at the Maranatha Baptist Church; the home church of President Jimmy Carter and Former First Lady Rosalynn. The elegant country brick church sits in an old growth of pecan trees.
By some miracle my friend Flora and I were up before the crack of dawn and on the road by 5 AM arriving at the church by 6 AM to park in the dark and wait to lineup. By 8:30 we had passed through The Secret Service “wanding” and joined over 320 others (a few church members, mostly visitors) in the sanctuary for President Carter’s Sunday school class. It was well worth the trip.
“We must look for opportunities to share what we have with others.” — President Carter
The pastor, Brandon Patterson from Nashville, Tennessee, is only 23 years old. His sermon (Ruth 2:4-23) urged us to “become partners with God in this blessing business”.
President Carter spoke briefly and with heartbreaking sincerity about how we should try to have peace with North Korea; then moved on to his lesson: Giving & Serving (Romans 15:25-23), two things the Carters know much about.
“Take a look at yourself this morning and ask: what can my gifts accomplish? Why was I created?”
He wanted to know if our lives were filled with joy, peace, happiness and purpose? Do we have peace? If not, it’s our fault. Starting right now we must ask; “What kind of person do I want to be?” Who is it up to? Nobody but ourselves.
I was awestruck, sitting in the pews of the beautiful humble sanctuary with soft green walls, facing a beautiful hardwood cross carved by President Carter and placing my offering in a wooden collection plate he also carved (and signed on the bottom with his initials: JC).
This was a beautiful way to honor the birth of my father, Silas Jones, who grew up a few miles south of Plains in Putney, Georgia.
I agree with my friend Flora Devine: who kept saying throughout our drive back: “President Carter is a national treasure.”
Lucky You to get to meet this man and hear him speak. He should be made a Saint. Even though he isn’s Catholic.
Mr Carter is a great man . He must be so sorry to see the USA in such troubles Right now we are watching lots of divisions i, your beautifil Nation . Each its becoming worse God bless America
A true Christian. I have always wanted to attend his church service. Met him a few times, and spoke to him at length about his presidency. While he visited with his mother Mrs, Lillian, who was my patient at Sumpter County hospital in Americus. I would have gone with you guys had I known. great article.
So excited that you had such an awesome time in Plains. Hope you had a good trip to Albany as well.
Shirley
Divine Eats, INC divineeats3@att.net Richard & Shirley Alexander 1376 Velvet Creek Ct SW Marietta. GA 30008 770-319-5533/678-847-8790
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