President Carter & FBC
The First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C., was blessed to be the church home of President Jimmy Carter and his family during their four years in the White House.
After two pre-inaugural services at First Baptist, President Carter joined the church on the first Sunday of his presidency, Jan. 23, 1977, along with his wife Rosalynn, his son Chip and daughter-in-law, Caron. Daughter Amy was baptized at the church in February 1977 at age 9.
During the 48 months of his term, President Carter attended Sunday services at First Baptist more than 70 times, according to the National Archives. More than a dozen times he taught Sunday School to the church’s Couples Class from the Sanctuary balcony.
“You have made our lives normal lives,” President Carter said at the class’s annual banquet in October 1977. “You have given us stability in a position that is inherently sometimes unstable. A President of our country can be an isolated person. You have taken us in, and we are indebted to you. Thank you very much.”
A little more than three years later, President Carter lost his bid for re-election but responded graciously to a letter from the First Baptist Church:
“Rosalynn joins me in thanking you for your thoughtful message,” he wrote. “We treasure the fellowship and friendship we have enjoyed with you over the past four years.
“Your prayerful support and ‘the ties that bind our hearts in Christian love’ will be remembered. along with your many kindnesses, long after we have returned to our home in Georgia.”
The prayers of the First Baptist Church are with the Carters as our brother prepares to transition from this life. Thank you, Mr. President.
