"I Will Always Keep God First in My Life"

Gregory Cully, Jr.  is an active member in Wayman Good Hope AME Church in Severna Park, MD. His Scout leader knew that and suggested that Greg earn his religious award. This was the start of a long and rewarding journey that recently culminated with the presentation of the God and Life Award on May 25, 2008. Greg shares his story here with excerpts from each lesson in his workbook:

 

Lesson 1: God Calls All Kinds of People

 

“I like football, baseball, NASCAR racing, singing and Boy Scouts. I trust in God. I’m kind and God can use me to tell people about Jesus.”

 

Project 1: “I made a bulletin board to hang in church that shows God calls everybody - also me.”

 

 

 

Lesson 2: God Doesn’t Expect US TO Do It On Our Own

 

“Paul got help. It’s ok for me to get help too. God did not mean for me to do it by myself.”

 

Project 2: “I made a list of people who helped me and wrote two of them a letter. I had them typed and put in frames. I enjoyed hearing my letter to my grandfather read in church.”

 

 

 

Lesson 3: EACH OF US MUST MAKE A PERSONAL
RESPONSE TO THE CALL OF GOD

 

“I feel close to God when I am singing in the choir. I know the Holy Spirit lives in my heart. And I talked about Jesus to other people.”

 

Project 3: “This is about a friend who lives in Annapolis. He is very sick and his wife doesn’t know anything about cleaning a yard. My dad and I went down and cleaned up the yard.”

 

 

 

 

 

Lesson 4: GOD GIVES STRENGTH TO FACE ADVERSITIES

 

 

 

 

“Hard times are not a punishment. Hard times teach you that you can do it and you will get through it and you will be better and smarter. Paul had a thorn in his side and God didn’t take it away. But it made Paul stronger.”

 

 

 

 

Project 4: “I went to the store and picked some fruit, made the basket and a card, and gave some fruit to make somebody feel better. The hard part was to put the fruit in the basket. I enjoy going to see Mrs. Nancy the most. She was happy. She cried. I learned that helping people is a good thing and I was happy to do it.”

 

 

 

 

Lesson 5: GOD CAN ACCOMPLISH GREAT THINGS

THROUGH THOSE WHO ARE WILLING TO DO GOD’S WILL

 

“Mr. Larry is one of my heroes. I like how he works with young people. My mom is a hero for taking care of her mother. My Dad – I like how he sings, plays with two groups, and sings for the Lord. I am only sixteen and I am working on giving everything to God. I don’t like to talk in front of people. But I do a lot of stuff in church.”

 

Project 5: “I made a bench for Wayman Good Hope AME Church. It was difficult cutting a straight line with an electric saw. I enjoyed making the bench with my Dad and Mr. Sherman. I learned how to use electric tools and a square.”

 

  

 

 

 

 

Greg was presented his God and Life award by Rev. Constance C. Wheeler. He remembers how good it felt to know his church family was proud of him and to hear people in the church calling his name and saying, “Good job, Gregory!” He gives a very special thank you to his counselor, Ms. Patricia White, for all her time and help. “I love you and thank you again. God bless you! I will always keep God in my life.”