He was an inspiration.
The passing of former President Jimmy Carter at the age of 100 has led to an outpouring of tributes from Evangelical leaders who are honoring his faith and commitment to serving others, in addition to his political career. Carter, the 39th president of the United States, was deeply committed to his Evangelical Christian beliefs, which he maintained throughout his life. After leaving office in 1981, Carter returned to Plains, Georgia, where he continued teaching Sunday school at Maranatha Baptist Church, a role he held for many years.
Despite political differences, many prominent pastors have paid tribute to Carter’s legacy. Franklin Graham, son of the late Billy Graham, shared his reflections on Carter’s life, recalling the long relationship between the two families. He highlighted Carter’s role during a challenging period in U.S. history and praised his strong faith. Graham also acknowledged the friendship between his father and Carter, which spanned decades, including Carter’s involvement in Billy Graham’s crusades.
Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship, shared personal stories of meeting Carter on several occasions, noting the former president’s humility and commitment to serving others. Laurie recalled an unforgettable moment when Carter greeted each passenger on a commercial flight, introducing himself simply as “Jimmy Carter.” He emphasized that regardless of political views, Carter’s example of service and humility should be respected by all Americans.
Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, also remembered Carter for his deep Christian faith. Rodriguez praised Carter’s humanitarian efforts, especially his work with Habitat for Humanity and his commitment to peace. He described Carter’s life as a reflection of the Gospel, urging others to embrace humility and service in their own lives.
However, not all reactions were solely focused on Carter’s legacy of service. Pastor Jack Hibbs of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills expressed a more critical view, calling Carter’s presidency one of the “most failed” in American history. Hibbs criticized Carter’s policies, particularly his stance on abortion, and noted that while Carter personally opposed abortion, he also opposed efforts to overturn Roe v. Wade.