The Awards for Excellence in Religion Reporting showcase outstanding journalism across all media.
From The Christian Chronicle:
PITTSBURGH — Bobby Ross Jr., editor-in-chief of The Christian Chronicle, received the nation’s top award for religion feature writing at a ceremony Saturday night at the Andy Warhol Museum.
The Religion News Association presented Ross with the Supple Award for Feature Writing during its 75th anniversary convention in Pittsburgh.
Jodi Rudoren, editor-in-chief of The Forward, a leading publication for American Jews, won second place. Ruth Graham, the Dallas-based religion reporter for the New York Times, earned third place.
“It’s crazy to be mentioned in the same category as such amazing writers, much less take home the top prize,” said Ross, a former Associated Press religion writer who joined the Chronicle staff in 2005. “But I’m deeply grateful for the recognition and so thankful to still be earning a living writing and editing stories after 34 years in full-time journalism.”
Ross was honored for a portfolio of articles he wrote last year:
• A two-story package for the Chronicle on Christians welcoming Afghan refugees to Oklahoma and Texas.
• An in-depth feature for Religion Unplugged on why Major League Baseball teams host faith nights.
• A narrative piece for AP on the one-year anniversary of a hostage standoff at a Texas synagogue.
RNA’s Awards for Excellence in Religion Reporting showcase outstanding journalism across 13 categories spanning print, online and broadcast media as well as nonfiction books.
Ross previously won RNA’s top awards for religion news analysis (2023) and magazine reporting (2013). He has placed in the contest four other times — in 2022, 2021, 2019 and 2015 — and earned recognition as a finalist seven times.
Photos by Frank Lockwood
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 