Author: Bobby Ross Jr.

Bobby Ross Jr. is an award-winning journalist who has reported from all 50 states and 20 countries.
Christian Chronicle

Once-segregated Christian university targets racism with launch of new research center

Founding director urges churches to speak out against ‘situations that carry the foul scent of racial injustice.’ Third Place, Theme Issue, Section or Series, Associated Church Press By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ABILENE, Texas — In 1960, a professor named Carl Spain delivered an explosive Bible Lectureship sermon that reverberated far beyond what was known then as Abilene Christian College. In stark terms, Spain called … Continue reading Once-segregated Christian university targets racism with launch of new research center

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Christian Chronicle

How to keep LGBTQ people from becoming ‘spiritual orphans’

At a three-day conference in Texas, parents and church leaders tackle faith and sexuality. Third Place, Convention or Meeting Coverage, Associated Church Press By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle DALLAS — Carrie Underwood’s “Love Wins” video played on the big screens as the E3 Conference opened at the Highland Oaks Church of Christ. “I believe you and me are sisters and brothers. And I believe … Continue reading How to keep LGBTQ people from becoming ‘spiritual orphans’

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Religion Unplugged

When a sermon goes viral: Pastor in middle of social media storm over Kavanaugh

By Bobby Ross Jr. | GetReligion

I don’t believe I’ve ever met the Rev. Bob Long, even though my time as religion editor for The Oklahoman overlapped with his tenure as pastor of a large United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City.

But I know his voice.

For years, I’ve heard Long on the radio, often while driving to work. Long is a mini-celebrity here in Oklahoma, known for inspirational radio messages that include cheerful music and a quick life lesson from the pastor.

“That’s something to think about,” he concludes each 60-second segment. “I’m Bob Long with St. Luke’s Methodist Church.”

This week, Long has gained notoriety for a different reason — for a sermon in which he put the face of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh on his church’s big screens.

As The Oklahoman’s Carla Hinton (who succeeded me as religion editor in 2002) reported on Wednesday’s front page, a social media storm erupted with a tweet from a churchgoer who was not pleased with Long’s choice of optics:

Read the full column.

• • •

All of my GetReligion columns (October 2018):

Continue reading “When a sermon goes viral: Pastor in middle of social media storm over Kavanaugh”

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Christian Chronicle

In Dallas, Houston and elsewhere, Christians ask God to bring #Justice4Botham

Members of Churches of Christ celebrate the life of Botham Jean, who was shot to death 23 days before his 27th birthday. Second Place, In-Depth Coverage, Associated Church Press By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle DALLAS — “Praise as protest,” declared the bold letters on the T-shirt that Ashley Hawthorne sported at the Dallas County courts building this weekend. On a gloomy Saturday, clouds … Continue reading In Dallas, Houston and elsewhere, Christians ask God to bring #Justice4Botham

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Christian Chronicle

In the Great Smoky Mountains, feeding the spiritual needs of 5,000

Polishing the Pulpit, an annual gathering in East Tennessee, draws a record crowd. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. — “Bring a Friend Night” at the Polishing the Pulpit conference gave the thousands of attendees an opportunity to introduce people to “the church that belongs to Christ.” “Meet a friend in town — hotel worker, waitress, someone at Walmart — and bring them to … Continue reading In the Great Smoky Mountains, feeding the spiritual needs of 5,000

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Religion News Service

National meeting signals ‘coming of age’ for Hispanic Catholics in U.S.

By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service GRAPEVINE, Texas — Latinos are not a challenge or a problem for the U.S. Catholic Church. They are the church. That’s the message from some Hispanic leaders as the fastest-growing segment of American Catholicism rapidly becomes the majority. “There are too many things that have gone wrong for the church to risk alienating its majority,” said Carmen Nanko-Fernández, … Continue reading National meeting signals ‘coming of age’ for Hispanic Catholics in U.S.

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Christianity Today

The crucial role of the ‘faith-based FEMA’ after Florence

Working alongside government agencies, Christian volunteers aid hurricane victims based on what each denomination does best. By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Christianity Today For years, Ed and Marian Stinnette have served as the hands and feet of Jesus in disaster zones, helping victims recover from devastating storms such as Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Now, the longtime Samaritan’s Purse volunteers and their home congregation, Port … Continue reading The crucial role of the ‘faith-based FEMA’ after Florence

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Christian Chronicle, Religion News Service

After Botham Jean’s shooting death, his church intent on seeking justice

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‘Why did it happen to somebody like him?’ grieving fellow Christians demand to know.

Second Place, News Story, Associated Church Press

Second Place, In-Depth Coverage, Associated Church Press

By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle

DALLAS — The preacher stood wearily on stage, wiping tears from his eyes.

The mayor, working to bring healing to a city of 1.3 million, sought solace on a front pew.

Allison Jean, mourning the fatal shooting of her son Botham Shem Jean by a Dallas police officer, wailed as the 250-member, predominantly black congregation sang hymns such as “Trouble in My Way.”

“I know that Jesus — Jesus — he will fix it after a while,” the church sang.

Television and newspaper cameras captured the emotion — and the heartbreak — as the Dallas West Church of Christ gathered to worship Sunday, three days after the inexplicable killing of 26-year-old Botham Jean in his own apartment.

This was no ordinary Lord’s Day for Christians grieving the sudden loss of a beloved song leader and Bible class teacher — and doing so under an immense media spotlight stretching from Texas all the way to the Caribbean island nation of St. Lucia.

“Somebody like Bo — why?” longtime church member Sherron Rodgers said, uttering the question on everybody’s mind. “Why did it happen to somebody like him? I’m just sad.

“He was a special, kind person who would never mess with anybody,” she added. “He’d take off his jacket and give it to you. That’s the kind of person he was.”

Read the full story.

This story appears in the October 2018 edition of The Christian Chronicle. It was picked up by Religion News Service and distributed on its national wire.

Continue reading “After Botham Jean’s shooting death, his church intent on seeking justice”

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Christian Chronicle

‘Botham is singing with the angels’: Victim remembered at vigil

Peace — and justice — sought in the police-involved killing of a beloved Harding University graduate. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle DALLAS — Tears flowed Saturday at the Dallas West Church of Christ as hundreds came together for a prayer vigil in memory of Botham Shem Jean, the 26-year-old church member shot to death by an off-duty, uniformed police officer. As the Dallas resident’s killing refocused … Continue reading ‘Botham is singing with the angels’: Victim remembered at vigil

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