Lessons from a Peanut Farmer

President James “Jimmy” Carter died in his Plains, Georgia, home this week, lovingly surrounded by his family and friends. At 100, the former president was the longest-living president in American history. 

However, Carter was much more than his presidency and age. He inspired millions, particularly people of faith. 

The simple peanut farmer from Plains reached across the globe and demonstrated that God’s love, peace, and justice can be genuinely transformative for real people with real problems. While Carter does not often receive proper credit for his accomplishments in office (Department of Education, Camp David Peace Accords, and Diplomatic Status of China), no one can deny the common good he achieved after his presidency.

Carter was awarded the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize “for work to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.” Winning the Nobel epitomized Carter’s dogged determination post-presidency to work for peace and justice globally and to enter some of the most dangerous and forgotten places to ensure human rights were upheld.

Former President Carter inspired many people who were seeking to put their Christian faith into practice. Through his work eradicating Guinea-worm disease and building homes with Habitat for Humanity, he showed millions how a humble spirit and determined mind can change the world.

Among the many lessons I’ve learned from Carter over the years, the greatest was when he visited Norman, Oklahoma, for a regional meeting of the New Baptist Covenant. Launched in 2007, the New Baptist Covenant was a national movement seeking racial reconciliation for the Baptist family in the U.S. 

After a successful national meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, Carter agreed to travel the country to attend smaller regional gatherings. Norman, Oklahoma, was selected as one of those sites.

As a local Baptist church pastor, I was invited to the regional meeting. It was the honor of a lifetime, as Baptists from different backgrounds came to Norman to discuss the reality of present-day racism in the Baptist church and how to pursue racial reconciliation.  

President Carter understood the United States of America would never be truly great unless we dealt with the country’s original sins of genocide and slavery. The genocide of the Indigenous people of North America and the continued eradication of them established the uneven playing field of white supremacy. Indigenous people would never be given the social and economic opportunities that their white counterparts received.

The enslavement of Africans solidified the emerging country’s propensity for white supremacy that used all facets of evil to gain the upper hand and oppress an entire people group. Even after the Civil War, Reconstruction produced segregation and Jim Crow.  

Like their Indigenous siblings, people of African descent would never be allowed to advance. White supremacy would always meet them at the door of opportunity to make sure the door remained securely guarded and any opportunities thwarted for advancement stifled.

President Carter knew the evils of white supremacy because he saw it throughout his life in Georgia and as president. And there was no greater presence of white supremacy than in the Baptist church. Even though Carter knew pursuing racial reconciliation would be a difficult road to travel, it did not dissuade him from making the journey.  

No matter how long or challenging the trek appears, pursuing the dream of God’s kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven should never be a road the faithful are hesitant to travel. Carter taught me that walking a path toward love, peace and justice is always worth pursuing, no matter the hurdles.

Thanks for the lesson on courage, Mr. President.  

As great as this lesson was, the former president taught me even more when he attended our regional meeting in Norman. His greatest lesson was delivered behind a podium but lived out through his generous and hospitable demeanor.  

A group of event leaders were fortunate enough to have breakfast with Carter. The president never sat down but went from table to table, welcoming people and asking about their families. He was so gracious with us and our two boys.  

After he met everyone, he said a few words and stood for photos. One of my most prized photos was the one I took with President Carter and my two boys. It was lovely.

However, Carter’s goodness and kindness did not end with the photos. He informed us that he needed to return to Plains that day (Friday) because it was his turn to mow the grass at Maranatha Baptist Church, where he and Rosalynn were members. 

The eighty-something-year-old 39th President of the United States was leaving early to fulfill his responsibilities back home. Thanks for the lesson on integrity, Mr. President.

Finally, after Carter returned home, a group discussed his visit. Everyone was in awe of how kind the former president was to everyone. 

However, one person told a story I will never forget. Before Carter left the venue, he walked through the kitchen, thanking every cook, food handler, and dishwasher who had worked at the event.  

He also wrote a simple but profound message on the whiteboard: “Thank you! – Jimmy.”

Thanks for the lesson on decency and kindness, Mr. President!

President Jimmy Carter lived a full and transformative life.  He and his wife, Rosalynn, will be dearly missed by millions. But even in death, the Carters continue to teach us lessons.

Community, whether in marriage or as a former leader of the free world, means finding your person or people to walk alongside. If you can find your community that loves and supports you—even when you make mistakes—never let them go. They can make all the difference. 

Thanks for the lessons on community and friendship, Jimmy and Rosalynn! You both are missed, but you will never be forgotten.