Author: Bobby Ross Jr.

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

Under new Texas law, faith-based adoption agencies win protections

Despite opposition from gay-rights groups, Lone Star lawmakers passed the Freedom to Serve Children Act. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ABILENE, Texas — At age 17, Jennifer Griffith discovered she was pregnant. The daughter of a pro-life advocate, Griffith knew she couldn’t abort her baby. Instead, the unmarried teen turned to Christian Homes and Family Services for help. The 55-year-old ministry — based … Continue reading Under new Texas law, faith-based adoption agencies win protections

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Christian Chronicle

Absolutely shocking news! Sarah Huckabee Sanders reads Christian devotionals

By Bobby Ross Jr. | GetReligion

Shocking!

Absolutely shocking!

Perhaps you saw the news today — via a tweet by the New York Times to its nearly 39 million followers — about White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

In case you’re standing, I’ll hold on just a second so you can sit down.

OK, brace yourself. Here it is. Deep breath, everyone!

Without further weeping and gnashing of teeth, the tweet from the Times:

Did you catch that!?

To repeat, Sanders IS AN EVANGELICAL WHO READS A CHRISTIAN DEVOTIONAL BEFORE NEWS BRIEFINGS.

Stop the presses!

I kid. I kid. But more than a few folks on Twitter chuckled at the Times’ characterization of Sanders’ spiritual discipline:

Read the full column.

• • •

All of my GetReligion columns (August 2017):

Continue reading “Absolutely shocking news! Sarah Huckabee Sanders reads Christian devotionals”

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Christianity Today

The high costs of an abuse claim: Five guidelines to help churches of all sizes

Prevention, right coverage are critical to protecting churches. By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Church Finance Today Sexual abuse of a minor is the number one reason churches end up in court. It’s a statistic that’s been true for a number of years, according to attorney Richard R. Hammar. And churches must do all they can to prevent this type of tragedy. But churches also … Continue reading The high costs of an abuse claim: Five guidelines to help churches of all sizes

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Religion News Service

Amid scandal, Baylor’s first woman president brings fresh start to Baptist university

Linda Livingstone has a history of bucking tradition. By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service WACO, Texas (RNS) Two decades before she took office as the first woman president in Baylor University’s 172-year history, Linda Livingstone helped break down a different barrier in this Central Texas city. Then and now, Livingstone — who first nurtured her Christian faith in a little white church building in … Continue reading Amid scandal, Baylor’s first woman president brings fresh start to Baptist university

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Christian Chronicle

After his wife died in a fire, this single father found hope in an unexpected place

Children’s home expands its mission to serve fast-growing segment of the U.S. population. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle MOUNT DORA, Fla. — In an instant, Neil Zierden’s world fell apart. An accidental explosion at Firepoint Products Inc., the Florida business Zierden co-owned with his 40-year-old wife, Rhonda, killed her and an employee, George Harthman, 54. Zierden was lost in his own grief … Continue reading After his wife died in a fire, this single father found hope in an unexpected place

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Religion News Service, USA Today

As major cities crack down on panhandling, many wrestle with their consciences

In a number of cities, the ordinances are sparking legal battles with civil liberties advocates, who accuse communities of treating the homeless as ‘human blight.’ Third Place, Government Reporting, Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service OKLAHOMA CITY (RNS) Driving to his downtown clothing business, Hans Herman Thun finds it impossible to ignore the beggars. They catch his … Continue reading As major cities crack down on panhandling, many wrestle with their consciences

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Christian Chronicle

For preachers, a textual feast inside Austin city limits

Sermon Seminar affords spiritual — and physical — food. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle AUSTIN, Texas — Welcome to the Lone Star state capital, home of the South by Southwest Festival and the Keep Austin Weird Fest & 5K. A lesser-known annual festival: the Gourmet Preachers Tour, conducted during the Austin Sermon Seminar. The informal tour involves a dozen or so minister … Continue reading For preachers, a textual feast inside Austin city limits

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Christian Chronicle

Hate group or hateful reporting? This is why ABC News is under fire

By Bobby Ross Jr. | GetReligion

ABC News is under fire for a story in which it characterizes the Alliance Defending Freedom as “an alleged hate group.”

In some ways, it’s the same ole, same ole.

Click the above links, and you can read my GetReligion colleague Mark Kellner’s excellent recent commentary on the Southern Poverty Law Center labeling certain conservative organizations as “hate groups.”

Kellner rightly asked: “Here’s a proactive journalistic question: Does expressing one’s faith and beliefs always and without exception equal hate?”

Apparently, ABC didn’t get the memo.

So we end up with this headline today:

Jeff Sessions addresses ‘anti-LGBT hate group,’ but DOJ won’t release his remarks

Read the full column.

• • •

All of my GetReligion columns (July 2017):

Continue reading “Hate group or hateful reporting? This is why ABC News is under fire”

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Christian Chronicle

One year later, Orlando victim’s mom urges: Show your children ‘all the love you have’

Bernadette Cruz’s 22-year-old son, Peter “Ommy” Gonzalez-Cruz, died in the June 12, 2016, mass shooting that targeted a gay nightclub. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ORLANDO, Fla. — She thinks of him every day — her beloved son Peter “Ommy” Gonzalez-Cruz. Yet even as she grieves, Bernadette Cruz pushes forward, relying on her friends, her family and her faith. Cruz’s cheerful, affectionate … Continue reading One year later, Orlando victim’s mom urges: Show your children ‘all the love you have’

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