Personal: Ross family cemetery vandalized in Tennessee

By Bobby Ross Jr. In 2011, I wrote a Christian Chronicle column (also published by The Commercial Appeal newspaper in Memphis) on the Tennessee cemetery where my Papa and Grandma Ross are buried: CEDAR GROVE, Tenn. — “Danial Ross. Born: 1791. Died: 1842.” The name and the dates on the tombstone jump out at me immediately. My grandfather, father, brother and I have driven out to … Continue reading Personal: Ross family cemetery vandalized in Tennessee

Rich, in name and spirit, in rural Ohio

Rich, in name and spirit, in rural Ohio: Despite sacrifices, minister reaps a harvest of blessings with a 200-year-old congregation (reporting from Beallsville, Ohio). Page 1 lead. Third part of “Rural Redemption” series. BEALLSVILLE, Ohio — Just after 9 a.m. on a recent Sunday, the well-worn tires on Jeff Rich’s 2003 minivan crunch over a gravel road full of twists, hills and narrow lanes. Already … Continue reading Rich, in name and spirit, in rural Ohio

September 2013: GetReligion

Gay rights in San Antonio: simple quote, complex subject. Published Sept. 6. Pod people: ‘Conservative’ Baptists spark a conversation. Published Sept. 7. Et tu, Tim? Townsend latest to leave the Godbeat. Published Sept. 10. Hey, guess what, all Baptists are Calvinists. Published Sept. 12. Assessing the state of the Godbeat. Published Sept. 14. Faith and ghosts in Navy Yard victim story. Published Sept. 18. Jackpot! … Continue reading September 2013: GetReligion

For a Nicaraguan church, a revival

For a Nicaraguan church, a revival: Once-struggling congregation finds new life through the work of native missionaries and their American supporters (reporting from Masaya, Nicaragua). Currents. MASAYA, Nicaragua — The front door of the Sacuanjoche Church of Christ swings open, and children — 260 of them — stream out of a cramped concrete building with a tin roof. The boys and girls sport freshly painted T-shirts … Continue reading For a Nicaraguan church, a revival

August 2013: GetReligion

WPost: Virginia law highlights stupidity of home-schooling. Published Aug. 2. Yay! Dallas paper examines heart and soul. Published Aug. 6. Not that there’s anything wrong with that … . Published Aug. 8. Pod people: A little GetEducation for GetReligion. Published Aug. 10. A Messiah was born … in Tennessee. Published Aug. 13. A front-page puff piece on same-sex marriage. Published Aug. 16. Godbeat losing one … Continue reading August 2013: GetReligion

Oh, Brothers! For Rockies pitcher with 0.28 ERA, there’s a higher calling

Oh, Brothers! For Rockies pitcher with 0.28 ERA, there’s a higher calling (reporting from Los Angeles). Page 1. LOS ANGELES – Rex Brothers portrays himself as “just a normal dude.” Except that he’s standing in the visitors’ clubhouse at Dodger Stadium as he makes this claim — a few hours before pitching yet another scoreless inning for the Colorado Rockies. “People look at me as an … Continue reading Oh, Brothers! For Rockies pitcher with 0.28 ERA, there’s a higher calling

July 2013: GetReligion

Nolan Ryan’s son and the F-word. Published July 2. Porn: crack cocaine for Christian men? Published July 8. In Kentucky, ‘Shiite Baptists’ and the crazy old uncle. Published July 10. Pod people: The thin line between insight and hearsay. Published July 12. A top-notch profile of Baptist ethicist, with a few caveats. Published July 17. A hot car, a forgotten baby and a faith angle. … Continue reading July 2013: GetReligion

Religious freedom in public schools

Yes, it’s constitutional to teach the Bible during the school day. First Place, Education Reporting, Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle SIMPSONVILLE, S.C. — Eight middle school students gather around a classroom table at the Holland Park Church of Christ. Teacher Becky Mays asks if anyone has a prayer request. “My grandma,” one student says. “My uncle,” another … Continue reading Religious freedom in public schools

After the tornado, Oklahoma church sings God’s praises

First Place (with Erik Tryggestad, Ted Parks and Murray Evans), In-Depth Reporting, Associated Church Press By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle MOORE, Okla. — Tears. Hugs. Emotional recountings of survival and loss. In the wake of a disaster such as the May 20 tornado that devastated this Oklahoma City suburb, the casual hellos and handshakes of a typical Sunday give way to deeper, … Continue reading After the tornado, Oklahoma church sings God’s praises