ST. PETE, Fla. — While they may not have agreed politically, former president Jimmy Carter’s character was something Rick Baker always admired.

During his nine years as mayor of St. Petersburg, Baker welcomed the sitting president George W. Bush for a number of visits.

He had been to a multiple high profile events with those in the political arena. But after his two terms as mayor came to a close, Baker said former president Jimmy Carter was someone he wanted to make sure he had the chance to meet.

What You Need To Know

  •  Jimmy Carter would lead some Sunday services and bible study groups at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, GA

  •  After stepping back in 2019, his niece took over at the church

  •  Former St. Pete mayor Rick Baker wanted the chance to meet the 39th president and attended a bible study 

  • Baker says the lesson that day was on service and the importance of service in christianity 

In July 2012, Baker started to research if the 39th president made any public appearances in his hometown of Plains, Georgia.

He discovered that on some Sundays, former president Carter would lead services and bible study at Maranatha Baptist Church, his home church. Baker, his wife and their kids, decided to make the more than 300 mile trip to the former president’s hometown.

“I would say there were less than 100 people at the church,” Baker said, “It was a very small country church.”

The former president was not only in attendance that day, but led the service. His message, Baker recalled, was part of a series on what it means to be a Christian and the role of service in christianity. Baker says he remembers the whole thing, even snapping a few photos along the way.

“I wrote it in my bible. He went to Act 6…so I took notes on that page of my bible about what he spoke about that day,” Baker stated.

Baker said service was the perfect topic, because Carter’s life of service and his character were two things he had always admired about the former president.

Baker said Carter was a prime example of service through his time in the military, leading the country, and after his presidency through the Carter Center and Habitat for Humanity.

“I really was struck by it because that really exemplified who he was,” Baker said.

As a Republican, Baker said he didn’t vote for Carter in either election, but he had tremendous respect for him as a person.

“You can disagree with somebody politically, but you can still have respect for them,” Baker said. “I wanted to show my kids the importance of character and service, so I’m glad we went.”