Cub Scout earns coveted badge in two months

 

Sgt. 1st Class Lori A. Kuczmanski

Mobilization and Deployment Bde. Public Affairs

Church service was a special day Sunday as Terrance Mosley, a member of the Protestant Church at Fort Bliss was awarded the “God and Me” badge through his Cub Scout Master and Chaplain (Col.) Thomas Phelan, the Mobilization and Deployment Brigade chaplain.

Mosley, nine years old, is a Cub Scout and with the guidance of his mother and grandfather, decided to earn the “God and Me” badge. The badge, worn above the left shirt pocket, is a highly coveted badge. 

To earn the badge, children enroll in a religious curriculum-based program to assist them with growing their religious faith, and to help them see how other people have translated belief into action, and to provide them with the opportunity for Christian service to others.

The Cub Scout, their religious leader, and their parents are involved in weekly lessons, reading scriptures with the child and teaching him about their faith. Mosley’s mother, Charissa Mosley, asked Phelan if he would serve as Terrance’s spiritual counselor. Phelan happily accepted and met with him once a week for lessons on the Bible and gave spiritual advice.

Phelan said performing duties other than conducting church services, such as this, is an honor.

“It’s an extra thing we chaplains do,” said Phelan.

The program usually takes three to six months to complete. However, Terrence earned his badge in just two months.  

Charissa said church and Cub Scouts have a lot in common. She is happy her son completed the curriculum and earned his badge.

“Being in Cub Scouts, you learn about loyalty and honor, and I think church is that too,” said Charissa. 

As for the younger Mosley, he was excited to receive his new badge in front of his church congregation, although shy about getting on stage in front of the more than 100 people.

“I’m nervous,” said Terrence but added, “I learned how a sheppard lost a lamb, and how we get lost, but we get found by God.” 

Phelan received a certificate of appreciation for serving as a Christian counselor for the “God and Me” program.