Author: Bobby Ross Jr.

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

His dad was a preacher — and a pedophile

After discovering his father’s secret, Jimmy Hinton strives to create awareness of sexual predators. First Place, Feature Writing, Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists Second Place, Feature Article, Associated Church Press (a different story of mine won first place in this category) Honorable mention (part of three-story portfolio), Magazine News Religion Reporting, Religion News Association By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle SOMERSET, Pa. — Jimmy Hinton grew up at the … Continue reading His dad was a preacher — and a pedophile

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Christian Chronicle

‘Worship is our protest’

In Ferguson, a predominantly black church focuses on healing its community by glorifying God. First Place, News Story, Associated Church Press Honorable mention (part of three-story portfolio), Magazine News Religion Reporting, Religion News Association By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle FERGUSON, Mo. — Brian Owens feels a need to protest. But his protest doesn’t involve waving a “hands up, don’t shoot” sign, staging a “die-in” or … Continue reading ‘Worship is our protest’

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Religion Unplugged

5Q+1 interview: RNS writer David Gibson on the Godbeat, falling into journalism and his conversion to Catholicism

5Q+1 interview: RNS writer David Gibson on the Godbeat, falling into journalism and his conversion to Catholicism. GETRELIGION.ORG — On his Twitter profile, Religion News Service national reporter David Gibson describes himself as a Catholic convert, a Vatican veteran, a faith fan and an alliteration addict. His RNS bio notes that he has written two books on Catholic topics, including a biography of Pope Benedict XVI. … Continue reading 5Q+1 interview: RNS writer David Gibson on the Godbeat, falling into journalism and his conversion to Catholicism

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Religion Unplugged

December 2014: GetReligion

Are they crazy? Despite Ebola threat, Texas missionary couple planning return to Sierra Leone. Published Dec. 1. As D.C. bans gay conversion therapy of minors, where are the opposing religious voices? Published Dec. 3. Washington Post seeks an expert on ‘homegrown American extremist’ tied to Christian identity hate group. Published Dec. 4. 5Q+1: Godbeat pro Lilly Fowler on covering faith and the front lines in #Ferguson. Published Dec. … Continue reading December 2014: GetReligion

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Religion Unplugged

5Q+1: Godbeat pro Lilly Fowler on covering faith and the front lines in #Ferguson

5Q+1: Godbeat pro Lilly Fowler on covering faith and the front lines in #Ferguson GETRELIGION.ORG — “Everyone has an agenda.” That’s one lesson Lilly Fowler said she has learned covering faith and the front lines in Ferguson, Missouri, the St. Louis suburb engulfed in racial unrest and sometimes violent protests since the Aug. 9 police shooting of Michael Brown. Born in Mexico and raised on the … Continue reading 5Q+1: Godbeat pro Lilly Fowler on covering faith and the front lines in #Ferguson

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Religion Unplugged

Once again, #Ferguson defies easy analysis but demands solid journalism and context

• • • Once again, #Ferguson defies easy analysis but demands solid journalism and context GETRELIGION.ORG — This was the question three months ago: Amen to this question: 'What the hell is happening in #Ferguson?': http://t.co/v1ISW3xY8O #journalism http://t.co/VCkvxBBD78 — GetReligion (@GetReligion) August 14, 2014 Here we go again. I’m supposed to write a post this morning critiquing media coverage. But honestly, the situation at this point defies … Continue reading Once again, #Ferguson defies easy analysis but demands solid journalism and context

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Modern-day Job preaching again

Modern-day Job preaching again (reporting from Ridgeland, Miss.): After the murders of his wife and son, Mississippi minister Les Ferguson Jr. wrestled with God. RIDGELAND, Miss. — Les Ferguson Jr. couldn’t help but scream at God. Why — the longtime minister demanded to know — didn’t the Almighty protect his wife and son from the predator who murdered them? In his darkest days, Ferguson couldn’t imagine ever trusting … Continue reading Modern-day Job preaching again

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Christian Chronicle

Dear God, please stop Ebola, Liberian immigrants pray

Dear God, please stop Ebola, Liberian immigrants pray: Rhode Island minister hopeful as rate of infections slows in his disease-ravaged homeland. A space vehicle named Philae lands on a comet 310 million miles from Earth? That news strikes close to home. An Ebola outbreak kills thousands in West Africa? Many of us find that news harder to fathom — except when an isolated case of … Continue reading Dear God, please stop Ebola, Liberian immigrants pray

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Religion Unplugged

5Q+1 interview: Godbeat pro Peter Smith discusses his in-depth project on immigrant religion in Pittsburgh

5Q+1 interview: Godbeat pro Peter Smith discusses his in-depth project on immigrant religion in Pittsburgh GETRELIGION.ORG — Peter Smith has spent the last several months reporting on immigrant religious communities in Pittsburgh, carving out time for the special project between daily assignments. After 13 years on the Godbeat with the Louisville Courier-Journal, Smith joined the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette as its new religion writer last year. He previously freelanced … Continue reading 5Q+1 interview: Godbeat pro Peter Smith discusses his in-depth project on immigrant religion in Pittsburgh

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