Rowan Shield a Badge with Prayer program continues into its 21st year
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, May 4, 2016
By Shavonne Walker
shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com
ROWAN COUNTY — Now more than ever, law enforcement officers need prayers, said Chaplain Michael Taylor, and so he makes his appeal to the community to join the Shield a Badge with Prayer program.
Taylor is the chaplain for the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office and is also pastor of Phaniels Baptist Church in Rockwell. He heads the local Shield a Badge program, which is in its 21st year.
“They face more scrutiny, and they face more danger than they ever have,” Taylor said of the officers.
Each year, Taylor raises money so that each officer can receive a prayer Bible, wrist bands, and other materials. The Shield a Badge with Prayer program is a nonprofit, and donations are tax deductible.
In 2015, Taylor commissioned Stanly County artist Roger Thomas to create a portrait that depicts what law enforcement officers go through. He created a painting of four law enforcement officers: a highway patrolman, a sheriff’s deputy, a Salisbury Police officer and a retired officer.
The four men have their guns drawn on a car as the hands of the Lord reach out to protect them and above is shown a mother praying with her children for the officers.
