By Mona Austin
There is a way for Christians to serve in public life without being instrusive or over-bearing while living out their faith. Pres James Earl Carter commonly known as Jimmy Carter, showed the world this way. He illustrated this model by consulting God about major decisions, studying Christian teachings and doing humanitarian work to lift up those in need globally. At the time, the oldest living former president and first to become a ceturnarian was acknowledged with a display on the front lawn of the White House for his 100th birthday this year. Today, the flags above the residence is flying at half staff to honor his memory. An outpouring of tributes from world leaders across the political spectrum, recognized him as a compassionate leader.
Carter's life was divided along two major fronts -- politics and philanthropy.
PUBLIC LIFE
From 1977 to 1981, the son of a peanut farmer and nurse from Plains, GA, approached public service as a calling. It was Carter who negotiated the Peace Accord between Israel and Egypt. He returned the Panama Canal to Panama. Additionally, he normalized U.S. relations with China and acted as a peacemaker with Russia. But, When he was finished with serving as the president he continued to be a servant, defining what it means to be a servant leader. In 2002 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for advancing peace around the word long after he his departure from the job.
A devoted husband to the late Rosalyn Cater for over 70 years, he also was an example of being a man of God to his family. He once said that rather than "faith" being a noun it is a verb, an action word. He taught Sunday School at his home church after leaving office For him, actions had a higher purpose that superceded being an elected official, which would not allow him to quit trying to change the world.
After being defeated by Ronald Reagan 43 years ago, the single term leader went on to have arguably even greater impact outside of Washington. He entered office two years after Pres. Richard Nixon was depleted in the Watergate scandal. Carter failed to build up the nation's morale as poltical issues arose internationally.
The creator of the Department of Energy and the Department of Education, President Carter had looked out for opportunities to enhance people's lives through government policies. He had a significant affect on individual's lives by building affordable homes with Habitat for Humanity. For the African American community in particular, Carter championed Civil Rights causes such as the King Center and various social and economic programs.
In his book,"Faith: A Journey for All" Carter wrote, "A person should have as our goal complete agape (self-sacrificial love). The most we can expect from a society is to institute simple justice."
Much of the work he did in life was performed hand-in-hand with his wife and best friend. Both devout Christians they exercised their faith through the work at the Carter Cemter that gave them a path into j ternational affairs, as well as various humanitarian efforts around the world. Although there were times that illness befell him, Mr. Carter worked his whole life until he was no longer able to. He spent the last almost 2 years in at-home hospice care. Too frail to speak at his wife's 2023 funeral, he attended but was confined to a wheelchair. His daughter read a letter that he had written to his beloved 75 years earlier when deployed overseas in the Navy.
It read: "While I'm away, I tried to convince myself that you really are not, could not be, as sweet and beautiful as I remember. But when I see you, I fall in love with you all over again. Does that seem strange to you? It doesn't to me. Goodbye, darling. Until tomorrow, Jimmy."
Tomorrow has come for two divinely linked lovers whose souls are reunited in eternal rest.
Carters life and legacy can be summed up in four words: good and faithful servant.
Official Statements on the Passing Of Pres. Jimmy Carter from the BIdens, VP
Harris, Obamas and More
An outpouring of condolences for the death of Pres. Jimmy Carter have been steady since the announcement of his passing on Sunday. Carter died peacefully surrounded by family in his hometown of Plains, GA. The news was confirmed in a Tweet bybthe Carter Center.
Pres. Joe Biden is expected to broadcast remarks but has released a written statement. Here we share a collection of statements from various leaders
=====================≈=======
Statement by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden
on the Passing of Former President Jimmy Carter
Today, America and the world lost an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian.
Over six decades, we had the honor of calling Jimmy Carter a dear friend. But, what’s extraordinary about Jimmy Carter, though, is that millions of people throughout America and the world who never met him thought of him as a dear friend as well.
With his compassion and moral clarity, he worked to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil rights and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless, and always advocate for the least among us. He saved, lifted, and changed the lives of people all across the globe.
He was a man of great character and courage, hope and optimism. We will always cherish seeing him and Rosalynn together. The love shared between Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter is the definition of partnership and their humble leadership is the definition of patriotism.
We will miss them both dearly, but take solace knowing they are reunited once again and will remain forever in our hearts.
To the entire Carter family, we send our gratitude for sharing them with America and the world. To their staff – from the earliest days to the final ones – we have no doubt that you will continue to do the good works that carry on their legacy.
And to all of the young people in this nation and for anyone in search of what it means to live a life of purpose and meaning – the good life – study Jimmy Carter, a man of principle, faith, and humility. He showed that we are great nation because we are a good people – decent and honorable, courageous and compassionate, humble and strong.
To honor a great American, I will be ordering an official state funeral to be held in Washington D.C. for James Earl Carter, Jr., 39th President of the United States, 76th Governor of Georgia, Lieutenant of the United States Navy, graduate of the United States Naval Academy, and favorite son of Plains, Georgia, who gave his full life in service to God and country.
===============================
Statement by Vice President Kamala Harris on the Passing of Former President Jimmy Carter
President Jimmy Carter was guided by a deep and abiding faith — in God, in America, and in humanity.
Jimmy Carter’s life is a testament to the power of service — as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy, the 76th Governor of Georgia, and the 39th President of the United States. He reminded our nation and the world that there is strength in decency and compassion.
As President, he protected our air and water, promoted transparency in government, and brokered an historic peace treaty between Egypt and Israel at Camp David.
Throughout his life, President Carter was strengthened by the love and support of his partner of 77 years, First Lady Rosalynn Carter, whose life President Biden and I had the opportunity to celebrate in Georgia last year. After leaving office, President Carter continued his fight for peace, democracy, and human dignity through the Carter Center.
I had the privilege of knowing President Carter for years. I will always remember his kindness, wisdom, and profound grace. His life and legacy continue to inspire me — and will inspire generations to come. Our world is a better place because of President Carter.
Doug and I send our love and prayers to the Carter family.
===============================
Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State
Jimmy Carter was a United States President, a U.S. Navy veteran, a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, and a humanitarian who dedicated his life to promoting peace, democracy, and human rights.
Throughout decades of public service, President Carter embodied integrity, compassion, and a commitment to advancing the freedom, security, and welfare of others. He channeled that spirit in his foreign policy, from negotiating the return of the Panama Canal to its host nation, to developing arms control agreements with the Soviet Union.And he brought it to his every exchange and conversation, from heads of state to ordinary citizens.
He understood that the fates of Americans werebound up with those of people in other countries, so he was early to recognize that protecting our shared planet and promoting global public health were vital national security interests.
President Carter also showed us what can be achieved through tireless and principled diplomacy, mediating a landmark deal with Israel and Egypt that helped forge peace between two nations that had spent decades at war. His efforts are an important reminder of what’s possible, especially amidst renewed conflict and suffering in the region.
Even after he left office, President Carter never stopped pursuing peace and advancing human rights, in ways big and small, often with his wife and partner of 77 years, Rosalynn, who passed away last year. For decades, they worked side-by-side, whether they were picking up hammers to help build homes for families in need, or leading efforts through the Carter Center to eradicate disease, resolve armed conflict, monitor elections, and promote democracy.
A man of faith, President Carter once said that “our greatest blessings come when we are able to improve the lives of others.” By that measure and so many others, President Carter lived a blessed life
Statement by President Obama and Mrs. Obama on the Passing of President Carter
For decades, you could walk into Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia on some Sunday mornings and see hundreds of tourists from around the world crammed into the pews. And standing in front of them, asking with a wink if there were any visitors that morning, would be President Jimmy Carter – preparing to teach Sunday school, just like he had done for most of his adult life.
Some who came to hear him speak were undoubtedly there because of what President Carter accomplished in his four years in the White House – the Camp David Accords he brokered that reshaped the Middle East; the work he did to diversify the federal judiciary, including nominating a pioneering women’s rights activist and lawyer named Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the federal bench; the environmental reforms he put in place, becoming one of the first leaders in the world to recognize the problem of climate change.
Others were likely there because of what President Carter accomplished in the longest, and most impactful, post-presidency in American history – monitoring more than 100 elections around the world; helping virtually eliminate Guinea worm disease, an infection that had haunted Africa for centuries; becoming the only former president to earn a Nobel Peace Prize; and building or repairing thousands of homes in more than a dozen countries with his beloved Rosalynn as part of Habitat for Humanity.
But I’m willing to bet that many people in that church on Sunday morning were there, at least in part, because of something more fundamental: President Carter’s decency.
Elected in the shadow of Watergate, Jimmy Carter promised voters that he would always tell the truth. And he did – advocating for the public good, consequences be damned. He believed some things were more important than reelection – things like integrity, respect, and compassion. Because Jimmy Carter believed, as deeply as he believed anything, that we are all created in God’s image.
Whenever I had a chance to spend time with President Carter, it was clear that he didn’t just profess these values. He embodied them. And in doing so, he taught all of us what it means to live a life of grace, dignity, justice, and service. In his Nobel acceptance speech, President Carter said, “God gives us the capacity for choice. We can choose to alleviate suffering. We can choose to work together for peace.” He made that choice again and again over the course of his 100 years, and the world is better for it.
Maranatha Baptist Church will be a little quieter on Sundays, but President Carter will never be far away – buried alongside Rosalynn next to a willow tree down the road, his memory calling all of us to heed our better angels. Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to the Carter family, and everyone who loved and learned froezjzzmi
s
Ee3s ,m this remarkable man)1