By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
Since 1995, Rowan County Sheriff’s Chaplain Michael Taylor has asked people to commit to saying a prayer for a law enforcement officer.
Taylor, who is also the pastor of Phaniels Baptist Church in Rockwell, also gives each officer a New Testament Bible. He started at the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office and then added Bibles for the police.
Recently Taylor gave 1,000 Bibles to all area firefighters.
“I thought we need to honor our firefighters. They risk their lives,” he said.
Taylor raised the funds and finished a few weeks ago, going to each fire station, giving each man and woman a Bible.
He said it was also to let them know they were appreciated.
It took him six months to raise the funds and collect all of the Bibles. Taylor received individual donations as well as some from his church to purchase the Bibles.
“I’m on a mission to deliver all of these New Testament Bibles to them. I want to let people know the dangers they face. We can do something for them and let them know we support them,” Taylor said.
The firefighter’s red logo is on the front of all the Bibles. On the first page is a message from Taylor and Phaniels Baptist Church.
“We put an insert thanking them and let them know we are praying for them,” he said.
Taylor recently dropped off several Bibles for some Bostian Heights firefighters.
“They were pleased and tickled with it. It’s good to see fire service getting same recognition,” said Fire Chief Mike Zimmerman.
Earlier this year Shield a Badge received nonprofit status and operates as Shield A Badge With Prayer Ministries.
If any emergency personnel or law enforcement officers would like to receive their own Bible, contact Taylor at 704-782-7201.