Since joining The Christian Chronicle in 2005, I’ve been blessed to receive numerous awards.
Below, I highlight all my prize-winning stories (for the Chronicle as well as The Associated Press and The Oklahoman). Please note that the year is when the honor was given, not when the article was published.
— Bobby
Photo via Religion News Association
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2023
Great Plains Journalism Awards, an eight-state regional contest sponsored by the Tulsa Press Club
Winner, News Reporting (Outside the Region), for “For tornado-ravaged churches, rebuilding means rethinking” from Mayfield, Ky., for The Associated Press.
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2023
Associated Church Press “Best of the Church Press” Contest
First Place, International Reporting (Short Format), for “In Alaska, a Russian-speaking church becomes a hub for helping Ukrainians” from Anchorage, Alaska.
First Place, Biographical Profile, for “She’s a mom, Sunday school teacher — and prominent religious freedom attorney” from Fairfax, Va.
Second Place, In-Depth Reporting (with Audrey Jackson and Erik Tryggestad), for tornado coverage from Mayfield, Ky.
Second Place, News Story (Long Format), for “In Georgia county with history of racial violence, Christians seek unity” from Cumming, Ga.
Second Place,International Reporting (Short Format), for “Teaching the Gospel, via Zoom” from Fairfax, Va.
Third Place, Local Reporting (Long Format), for “Breaking down barriers — new and old — to help tornado victims” from Mayfield, Ky.
Third Place, News Story (Long Format), for “After yet another mass shooting, Tulsa church prays, reflects: Is there a solution?” from Tulsa, Okla.
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Evangelical Press Association National Contest
First Place, Best Print Newspaper, for The Christian Chronicle (staff award).
Second Place, Best Online Newspaper, for The Christian Chronicle (staff award).
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2022
Religion News Association “Awards for Excellence in Religion Reporting”
Second Place, Reporting at Magazines and Non-daily Newspapers, for a portfolio including:
1. “At Tulsa massacre’s centennial, two Oklahoma churches focus on racial unity” from Tulsa, Okla., with related story “Christian faith drives two leading advocates of Tulsa Race Massacre justice” from Tulsa, Okla.
2. “In Canada, a reckoning after remains of 215 Indigenous children are found.”
Also, the judges cited my piece “In city where George Floyd died, minister emerges as key champion for justice” from Minneapolis with related story “A tragic death, a tough dialogue” from Woodbury, Minn.
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Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists Pro Chapter Contest (Major Newspapers and Wire Services Division)
• First Place, Election Reporting (with Hamil R. Harris and Cheryl Mann Bacon): “Flags, faith and fury” from Washington and related coverage.
• First Place, Spot News Reporting: “Christians offer physical, spiritual help after historic flooding” from Waverly, Tenn., and related story “Emotions high as Tennessee church floods — again” from Nunnelly, Tenn.
• First Place, Sports Features: “All in the family: baseball and Jesus” from Montgomery, Ala.
• Second Place, Best Reporter (all divisions), for a portfolio of five stories:
1. “Tulsa Race Massacre prayer room highlights churches’ 1921 sins, seeks healing” from Tulsa, Okla.
2. “In Canada, a reckoning after remains of 215 Indigenous children are found.”
3. “In city where George Floyd died, minister emerges as key champion for justice” from Minneapolis.
4. “Picket signs, honking horns and sidewalk sermons: Inside an anti-abortion ministry” from West Bloomfield Township, Mich.
5. “Will Candice McQueen really be the first female president of a Church of Christ university?”
• Second Place, Government Reporting (with Kenneth Pybus): “Could U.S. Supreme Court soon overturn Roe v. Wade?” and related story “Picket signs, honking horns and sidewalk sermons: Inside an anti-abortion ministry” from West Bloomfield Township, Mich.
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Associated Church Press “Best of the Church Press” Contest
First Place (with Hamil R. Harris), National News Story (Long Format), for “Flags, faith and fury” from Washington, D.C.
First Place, Newspaper Best in Class, for The Christian Chronicle (staff award).
Second Place (with Deana Nall), In-Depth Reporting, for coverage of the first anniversary of George Floyd’s killing, including my stories “In city where Floyd died, minister emerges as key champion for justice” from Minneapolis and “A tragic death, a tough dialogue” from Woodbury, Minn.
Second Place, International Reporting (Long Format), for “In Canada, a reckoning after remains of 215 children are found.”
Third Place, National News Story (Short Format), for “Showing Jesus: Christians offer physical, spiritual help after historic flooding.”
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Great Plains Journalism Awards, an eight-state regional contest sponsored by the Tulsa Press Club
Finalist, News Reporting (Outside the Region), for “A moving ‘reunion’ for descendants of Holocaust survivors” from Westlake, Texas, for The Associated Press.
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Evangelical Press Association National Contest
First Place, Best Print Newspaper, for The Christian Chronicle (staff award).
My entries placed in four categories:
Article Series (with Hamil R. Harris and Cheryl Mann Bacon), for coverage of the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot, including my story “Flags, faith and fury” from Washington, D.C.
Reporting (with Kenneth Pybus), for “Picket signs, honking horns and sidewalk sermons: Inside an anti-abortion ministry” from West Bloomfield Township, Mich., and related story “Could the U.S. Supreme Court soon overturn Roe v. Wade?”
General Article (Medium Length), for “In Canada, a reckoning after remains of 215 Indigenous children are found.”
E-newsletter, for “Weekend Plug-in.”
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2021
Religion News Association “Awards for Excellence in Religion Reporting”
Third Place, Reporting at Magazines and Non-daily Newspapers, for “Volunteer State” from Cookeville, Tenn. (with sidebar), “Protests and prayers” (with sidebar) and “Ousted by Democrats, anti-abortion preacher runs as independent in Tennessee.”
Finalist (with Cheryl Mann Bacon, Chellie Ison and Hamil Harris), Gerald A. Renner Award for Excellence in Religion Enterprise Reporting. Our team covered the faith response to George Floyd’s killing in Minneapolis police custody last year, producing a series of videos and stories.
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Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists Pro Chapter Contest (Major Newspapers and Wire Services Division)
First Place, Best Reporter (all divisions), for a portfolio of stories for The Oklahoman, The Associated Press and The Christian Chronicle:
1. “‘The world doesn’t stop’: Her 15-month-old daughter died in the bombing but she lived on” (reporting from Moore, Okla.).
2. “25 years ago, a prayer service gave hope to a shaken America” (reporting from Oklahoma City).
5. “Volunteer State: After Tennessee’s deadly tornadoes, churches play a leading role in the disaster relief effort” (reporting from Cookeville, Tenn.).
• First Place (Staff Award), Best Newspaper, for The Christian Chronicle.
• First Place, Personal Column: “‘The world doesn’t stop’: Her 15-month-old daughter died in the bombing but she lived on.”
• First Place, Diversity Coverage (with Cheryl Mann Bacon): “Protests and prayers” and related stories on George Floyd’s killing.
• First Place, Editorial/Commentary: “Christians react to minister’s claim of ‘crocodile tears’ and ‘phony outrage’ over George Floyd’s death.”
• Second Place, Feature Writing: “Forgiving Carla’s killers.”
• Second Place, Sports Feature: “At 84, retired major-leaguer Lindy McDaniel still ‘Pitching for the Master.'”
• Third Place, Feature Writing: 25 years ago, a prayer service gave hope to a shaken America.
• • •
Great Plains Journalism Awards, an eight-state regional contest sponsored by the Tulsa Press Club
Finalist, Great Plains Writer of the Year, for a portfolio of stories for The Oklahoman, The Associated Press and The Christian Chronicle:
1. “‘The world doesn’t stop’: Her 15-month-old daughter died in the bombing but she lived on” (reporting from Moore, Okla.).
2. “25 years ago, a prayer service gave hope to a shaken America” (reporting from Oklahoma City).
5. “Volunteer State: After Tennessee’s deadly tornadoes, churches play a leading role in the disaster relief effort” (reporting from Cookeville, Tenn.).
Finalist, Feature Writing, for “‘The world doesn’t stop’: Her 15-month-old daughter died in the bombing but she lived on” (reporting from Moore, Okla.).
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Associated Church Press “Best of the Church Press” Contest
First Place (with Cheryl Mann Bacon, Erik Tryggestad, Chellie Ison and Hamil R. Harris), In-Depth Coverage, for “Protests and Prayers” and related coverage, including my stories “History repeats: Civil rights hero’s great-grandson shows courage” and “Why the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement is so controversial to many Christians.”
Third Place, Feature Article, for “Forgiving Carla’s killers: After a Harding University junior was raped and murdered, her parents found peace by sharing their faith with the men responsible.”
Third Place, News Story, for “An emotional return: At site of Texas church shooting, a new beginning.”
Third Place (with Erik Tryggestad, Chellie Ison, Cheryl Mann Bacon, Laura Akins, Erin Floyd and Hamil R. Harris), In-Depth Coverage, for “Faith and COVID-19.”
Third Place, Theme Issue, Section or Series, for “Trump vs. Biden.”
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Evangelical Press Association National Contest
First Place (staff award), Best in Class, newspapers, for The Christian Chronicle.
My entries placed in six categories (including two stories in the reporting category):
Personality Article, for “Ousted by Democrats, anti-abortion preacher runs as independent in Tennessee.”
Reporting, for “Volunteer State: After Tennessee’s deadly tornadoes, churches play a leading role in the disaster relief effort” from Cookeville, Tenn.
Reporting, for “Protests and prayers: Christians respond to George Floyd’s death with outrage, rallies and calls for justice.”
Standing Column, for “Inside Story.”
Article Series, for “Trump vs. Biden.”
Cause of the Year Article, Christian Citizenship, for “Why these 21st century David Lipscombs won’t vote for Trump or Biden.”
E-newsletter, for “Weekend Plug-in.”
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2020
Associated Church Press “Best of the Church Press” Contest
First Place, News Story, for “A perpetrator in the pews” from Uniontown, Pa.
First Place, In-Depth Coverage, for sex abuse stories, including “A perpetrator in the pews,” “Tell somebody. Don’t keep quiet,” “Stunning reversal” and “It’s time to talk about predators in the church.”
First Place, National or International Newspaper, for The Christian Chronicle (staff award).
First Place, Social Media Presence, for The Christian Chronicle (with Chellie Ison and Erik Tryggestad).
Second Place, Feature Article, for “From global justice champion to Christian university president” from Malibu, Calif.
Second Place, In-depth Coverage, for “Guilty and forgiven” from Searcy, Ark., with related story “To Botham Jean’s parents, shooting still feels ‘as if it just happened’” from Dallas.
Second Place, Theme Issue, Section or Series, for “Is the Holy Land the Promised Land?” my related column “In Israel, a missile attack and a monk stir reflection” and “Churches of Christ in the Holy Land” by Erik Tryggestad.
Second Place (staff award), Publication Website, for ChristianChronicle.org.
Third Place, Feature Article, for “Ebola survivor Dr. Kent Brantly returning to Africa as medical missionary” from Fort Worth, Texas.
Third Place, Personal Experience (Short Format), for “In Israel, a missile attack and a monk stir reflection” from Jerusalem.
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Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists Pro Chapter Contest (Major Newspapers and Wire Services Division)
• First Place, In-Depth Enterprise and Investigative Reporting, for “A perpetrator in the pews” (main story, related Q&A, follow-up story and column).
• First Place, Diversity Reporting, for coverage of Oklahoma Christian University’s efforts at racial reconciliation, including stories by Erik Tryggestad and me.
• Third Place, Criminal Justice Reporting, for “Guilty and forgiven” from Searcy, Ark., with related story “To Botham Jean’s parents, shooting still feels ‘as if it just happened’” from Dallas.
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Religion News Association “Awards for Excellence in Religion Reporting”
Finalist, Reporting at Magazines and Non-daily Newspapers, for “A perpetrator in the pews” from Uniontown, Pa., “Ebola survivor Dr. Kent Brantly returning to Africa as medical missionary” from Fort Worth, Texas, and “Texas church grieves, prays, sings after deadly shooting” (with sidebar) from White Settlement, Texas.
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Evangelical Press Association National Contest
First Place (staff award), Best Print Newspaper, for The Christian Chronicle.
Second Place, Reporting, for “A perpetrator in the pews” from Uniontown, Pa.
Fourth Place, Interview, for “Ebola survivor Dr. Kent Brantly returning to Africa as medical missionary” from Fort Worth, Texas.
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2019
Religion News Association “Awards for Excellence in Religion Reporting”
Third Place, Reporting at Magazines and Non-daily Newspapers, for “Tears and fears: Church teen killed by police” from North Little Rock, Ark., “Marshall Keeble’s ‘boy preachers’ still baptizing and saving souls” from Los Angeles and “18 wheels and a heart to serve” from Panama City, Fla.
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Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists Pro Chapter Contest (Major Newspapers and Wire Services Division)
• First Place, Election Reporting, for “In red-state Oklahoma, marijuana ballot question splits people of faith.”
• First Place, Diversity Reporting, for “Tears and fears: Church teen killed by Arkansas police.”
• First Place, Feature Writing, for “When God wants your kidney.”
• Second Place, Diversity Reporting, for “Glitz and a surprise guest at the prom for those who often don’t get to go.”
• Third Place, Election Reporting, for “Interfaith service blesses Oklahoma Democrat Kendra Horn for her new role in Congress.”
• Third Place, General News Reporting, for “Cult leader? ‘Sinful Messiah’? 25 years after Waco, interest in David Koresh still strong,” with sidebar “Waco tragedy and David Koresh’s beliefs still haunt former FBI agent.”
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Associated Church Press “Best of the Church Press” Contest
First Place, News Story, for “Tears and fears: Church teen killed by Arkansas police” from North Little Rock, Ark.
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First Place, Feature Article, for “18 wheels and a heart to serve” from Panama City, Fla.
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First Place (with Erik Tryggestad and Chellie Ison), Theme Issue, Section or Series, for “Big Questions” project, including my stories “Can Churches of Christ reach millennials?” and “In urban Oklahoma, a growing congregation takes a big step” from Tulsa, Okla.
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Second Place, News Story, for “After Botham Jean’s shooting death, his Dallas church intent on seeking justice” from Dallas.
Second Place, In-Depth Coverage, for Botham Jean stories, including “Botham is singing with the angels,” “Christians ask God to bring #Justice4Botham” and “Fatal mistake.”
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Second Place (staff award), Best in Class, National or International Newspaper, for The Christian Chronicle.
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Third Place (with Hamil Harris), Theme Issue, Section or Series, for “50 Years: Racial Reconciliation and the Church” series, including “Marshall Keeble’s ‘boy preachers’ still baptizing and saving souls” from Los Angeles, “Two legacies: 50 years later,” “Fifty years after historic meeting, race still divides Churches of Christ” and “Once-segregated Christian university targets racism with launch of new research center” from Abilene, Texas.
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Third Place, Convention or Meeting Coverage, for “‘Love Wins’ at same-sex conference” from Dallas.
• • •
Evangelical Press Association National Contest
First Place, Personality Article, for “18 wheels and a heart to serve” from Panama City, Fla.
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First Place (staff award), Best Print Newspaper, for The Christian Chronicle.
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Second Place, Feature Article, for “1,000 wells around the world” from Akdesé, Haiti.
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2018
Associated Church Press “Best of the Church Press” Contest
First Place, Feature Article, for “In Canada, Syrian refugees find love and hope” from St. Catharines, Ontario.
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First Place (with Bob Smietana), News Story, for coverage of mass shooting at Tennessee church, including my story “For survivors of Tennessee shooting, healing will take time and patience.”
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First Place (with Chellie Ison), In-depth Coverage, for coverage of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, including my stories “Faithful mobilize shelters for Hurricane Harvey flooding victims” from Belton, Texas, “In a small town, a church becomes a hub for Harvey relief” from La Grange, Texas, “After Harvey, hope for heroes and victims” from Houston and “18 vans, 150 volunteers, 465 miles, one goal: to help Harvey victims” from Houston.
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First Place (with Chellie Ison and Lynn McMillon), Theme Issue, Section or Series, for coverage of faith and opioids, including my stories “South Carolina church battles opioids ’emergency'” from Surfside Beach, S.C., ” “The leprosy in my neighborhood is addiction” from Pontiac, Mich., and “One church’s ‘compassionate and Christ-like’ approach to the opioid crisis.”
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First Place (staff award), Best in Class, National or International Newspaper, for The Christian Chronicle.
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Second Place, News Story, for “Catholic faith moves Houston’s ‘Mattress Mack’ to shelter Hurricane Harvey victims” from Houston. (This was a freelance piece I wrote for Religion News Service.)
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Third Place (with Bob Smietana), In-depth Coverage, for coverage of mass shootings at churches, including my stories “For survivors of Tennessee shooting, healing will take time and patience” and “Texas hero risked life to save others.”
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Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists Pro Chapter Contest (Major Newspapers and Wire Services Division)
Second Place, Best Reporter (all divisions), for stories on Syrian refugees in Canada, the 50th anniversary of the Detroit race riot, Hurricane Harvey disaster relief, a woman who confessed to murder after her baptism and a prom for special-needs teens and adults.
Second Place, Election Reporting, for “Amid partisan din, Sen. James Lankford walks a fine line: Pastor and politician.”
Third Place, Government Reporting, for “As major cities crack down on panhandling, major cities wrestle with their consciences.”
Third Place, Diversity Reporting, for “No more ‘us and them.'”
Third Place, Criminal Justice Reporting, for “Bible Belt state with nation’s highest execution rate considers death penalty flaws.”
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2017
Associated Church Press “Best of the Church Press” Contest
First Place, News Story, for “In the GOP primaries, do politics Trump values and character?” with sidebar “Elephant in the pews.”
First Place (staff award), Best in Class, National or International Newspaper, for The Christian Chronicle.
Second Place, Feature Article, for “Young man with autism has a heart for homeless” from Camarillo, Calif.
Second Place, In-Depth Reporting, for “Orlando massacre: a Christian response” from Orlando, Fla.
Third Place, News Story, for “Thirsty souls: Churches help victims of Flint water crisis” from Flint, Mich.
Third Place, Feature Article, for “Canadian churches embrace Syrian refugees” from Beamsville, Ontario.
Third Place (with Erik Tryggestad, Chellie Ison and Katie Jones), In-Depth Reporting, for “Police shootings, racial unrest and the church,” including my stories “In Dallas, a somber Sunday” from Dallas and “Tulsa officer charged in shooting still welcome at church” from Tulsa, Okla.
Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists Pro Chapter Contest (Online Division)
First Place, Election Reporting, for “In the GOP primaries, do politics Trump values and character?” with related column “GOP presidential politics, professional wrestling style” and story “Elephant in the pews.”
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2016
Associated Church Press “Best of the Church Press” Contest
First Place, Feature Article, for “From daughter to caretaker” from Sylacauga, Ala.
First Place, Theme Issue, Section or Series, for “God at work in U.S.” package, including main story from Tulsa, Okla., and quotes from all 50 states.
First Place (staff award), Best in Class, National or International Newspaper, for The Christian Chronicle.
Second Place, News Story, for “The broken soul of Baltimore” from Baltimore.
Second Place, Personally Useful Article, for “From daughter to caretaker.”
Religion News Association “Awards for Excellence in Religion Reporting”
Finalist, Magazine News Religion Reporting, for “The broken soul of Baltimore” from Baltimore, “God, guns and keeping Christians safe” and “Massacre puts focus on Muslims” from San Bernardino, Calif.
Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists Pro Chapter Contest (Major Newspapers and Wire Services Division)
First Place, Diversity Coverage, for “The broken soul of Baltimore.”
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2015
Associated Church Press “Best of the Church Press” Contest
First Place, News Story, for “Worship is our protest” report from Ferguson, Mo.
First Place, Feature Article, for “Inside the ‘Duck Dynasty’ Church” story from West Monroe, La.
First Place (with Erik Tryggestad and staff), Theme Issue, Section or Series, for “One Nación Under God” project, which included my stories from Elgin, Ill.; Norcross, Ga.; Westminster, Colo.; and Benton, Ark.
First Place (staff award), Best in Class, National or International Newspaper, for The Christian Chronicle.
Second Place, Feature Article, for “A child molester’s son shines a light” story from Somerset, Pa.
Religion News Association “Awards for Excellence in Religion Reporting”
Honorable mention, Magazine News Religion Reporting, for “Worship is our protest” from Ferguson, Mo., “A child molester’s son shines a light” from Somerset, Pa., and “Inside the ‘Duck Dynasty’ church” from West Monroe, La.
Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists Pro Chapter Contest (Major Newspapers and Wire Services Division)
First Place, Feature Writing, for “A child molester’s son shines a light.”
Third Place, Leisure Writing, for “50 years of Northern exposure.”
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2014
Associated Church Press “Best of the Church Press” Contest
First Place (with Erik Tryggestad, Ted Parks and Murray Evans), In-Depth Reporting, for coverage of tornadoes in Oklahoma and Texas, which included my Inside Story column from Moore, Okla., and my news story from Cleburne and Granbury, Texas.
Second Place, News Story, for “Nelson Mandela’s legacy in South Africa.”
Second Place, Convention or Meeting Coverage, for “Homosexuality and the church.”
Third Place (with Erik Tryggestad and David Chenault), Theme Issue, Section or Series, for “Rural Redemption,” which included my stories from Montezuma, Iowa, and Beallsville, Ohio, and my Inside Story column from Greenwood, Texas.
Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists Pro Chapter Contest (Major Newspapers and Wire Services Division)
2014: First Place, Education Reporting, for “Religious freedom in public schools.”
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2013
Religion News Association “Awards for Excellence in Religion Reporting”
First Place, Magazine News Religion Reporting, for stories on illegal immigration and the church, the Mexico drug war’s impact on missions and civil rights attorney Fred Gray receiving an honorary doctorate from a Christian university he once sued.
Finalist, Supple Feature Writer of the Year Award for the illegal immigration and Mexico drug war reports, plus a piece on Christians in secular Vermont (with sidebars on red state vs. blue state voting and one church’s vote for Jesus).
Associated Church Press “Best of the Church Press” Contest
First Place (staff award), Best in Class, National or International Newspaper, for The Christian Chronicle.
First Place, Personally Useful Article, for “Is your church visitor-friendly?” and related sidebars.
Second Place, News Story, for “Black, white and Gray.”
Second Place, Convention or Meeting Coverage, for “‘Little youth rally’ draws 12,000.”
Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists Pro Chapter Contest (Major Newspapers and Wire Services Division)
Third Place, General News Reporting, for “A rocky road for Mexico missions.”
Third Place, Entertainment Feature, for “Faith, family and ducks.”
Third Place, Leisure Writing, for “‘Little youth rally’ draws 12,000.”
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2012
Associated Church Press “Best of the Church Press” Contest
First Place, News Story, for coverage of an Arizona church member’s death in the Tucson mass shooting that targeted U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.
First Place, Feature Article, for the story of an Oregon minister bringing healing to a community wounded by suicides.
Second Place, Convention or Meeting Coverage, for “Saving Sin City.”
Third Place (staff award), Best in Class, National or International Newspaper, for The Christian Chronicle.
Religion News Association “Awards for Excellence in Religion Reporting”
Finalist, Magazine News Religion Reporting, for coverage of an Arizona church member’s death in the Tucson mass shooting that targeted U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, the story of an Oregon minister bringing healing to a community wounded by suicides and a 9/11 anniversary piece on a North Carolina military congregation.
Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists Pro Chapter Contest (Major Newspapers and Wire Services Division)
2012: First Place, Editorial/Commentary, for “Taking steps to protect children.”
2012: Third Place, General News Reporting, for “He was a hero to his church family.”
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2011
Associated Church Press “Best of the Church Press” Contest
First Place, Interview, for feature on “The Rookie” Jim Morris.
Second Place (staff award), Best in Class, National or International Newspaper, for The Christian Chronicle.
Second Place, Feature Article, for “Faith, hope and love behind bars.”
Second Place (with Erik Tryggestad), In-Depth Reporting, for coverage of Haiti earthquake, which included stories by me on Haitian orphans reuniting in the U.S. and Christian university students rallying to help earthquake victims.
Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists Pro Chapter Contest (Major Newspapers and Wire Services Division)
First Place (with Erik Tryggestad, Lynn McMillon, Amanda Jordan and Joy McMillon), In-Depth Enterprise Reporting/Team, for “Global South” project, which included stories by me from Minnesota, Ghana and South Africa.
Honorable Mention, Sports Feature, for “The Rookie: Part 2.”
Honorable Mention, Criminal Justice Reporting, for “Faith, hope and love behind bars.”
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2010
Associated Church Press “Best of the Church Press” Contest
First Place (with Erik Tryggestad), Theme Issue, Section or Series, for “Global South” project, which included stories by me from Minnesota, Ghana and South Africa.
Second Place (with Erik Tryggestad), In-Depth Reporting, for “Global South” project, which included stories by me from Minnesota, Ghana and South Africa.
Third Place (staff award), Best in Class, National or International Newspaper, for The Christian Chronicle.
Third Place, News Story, for coverage from Ghana of a partnership between Christian universities in West Texas and West Africa.
Third Place, Feature Article, for coverage of a North Carolina church’s ministry for children with special needs.
Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists Pro Chapter Contest (Major Newspapers and Wire Services Division)
Third Place (with Erik Tryggestad), Business Reporting, for coverage of the recession’s impact on churches.
Honorable Mention, Best Reporting Portfolio, for five stories published in the July 2008-June 2009 contest period (“Immigration in America: Manhattan church reflects ‘melting pot’ nature of New York City,”“Race and the church: Getting beyond the handshake,”“Campaign 2008: Presidential race engages students,”“By the numbers: Church in America marked by decline” and “Saying goodbye to Cascade College.”)
• • •
2009
Associated Church Press “Best of the Church Press” Contest
First Place (staff award), Best in Class, National or International Newspaper, for The Christian Chronicle.
Third Place (with Erik Tryggestad), Front-Page Design, for November edition.
Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists Pro Chapter Contest (Major Newspapers and Wire Services Division)
First Place, Business Feature, for a story on minister retirement issues.
First Place (with Erik Tryggestad), Business Reporting, for coverage of the recession’s impact on churches.
Second Place, Education Reporting, for coverage of Christian schools using education as an outreach tool.
Third Place, Personal Column, for “Throwing more than crumbs at the hungry.”
Third Place, Editorial/Commentary, for “Have We Become Lukewarm?”
Third Place (with Erik Tryggestad, Lynn McMillon and Jonathan Cannon), In-Depth Enterprise Reporting/Team, for “By the numbers” series.
Honorable Mention, Diversity Reporting, for coverage of fire at historically black Christian university.
• • •
2008
Associated Church Press “Best of the Church Press” Contest
First Place, Editorial, for “Have We Become Lukewarm?”
Second Place, Convention or Meeting Coverage, for story on a cappella music symposium at Pepperdine University.
Second Place (with Erik Tryggestad), Personally Useful Article, for a series of reports on sex crimes and addictions.
Third Place (staff award), Best in Class, National or International Newspaper, for The Christian Chronicle.
Third Place, Theme Issue, Section or Series, for stories on church-planting efforts.
Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists Pro Chapter Contest (Major Newspapers and Wire Services Division)
Second Place, Feature Writing, for an in-depth story on one family’s experience after Hurricane Katrina.
Third Place (with Erik Tryggestad), In-Depth Enterprise Reporting/Team, for “Are We Growing?” series.
Third Place, Sports Column, for a column on faith, family and baseball.
Honorable Mention (staff award), Best Newspaper, for The Christian Chronicle.
Honorable Mention, Entertainment Feature, for story on a church with ties to the “We Are Marshall” movie.
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2007
Associated Church Press “Best of the Church Press” Contest
Third Place, News Story, for coverage of a Tennessee minister’s slaying and the arrest of his wife.
Third Place, Feature Article, for an in-depth story on one family’s experience after Hurricane Katrina.
Third Place (staff award), Best in Class, National or International Newspaper, for The Christian Chronicle.
Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists Pro Chapter Contest (Major Newspapers and Wire Services Division)
Third Place, General News Reporting, for coverage of Hurricane Katrina.
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Before joining the Chronicle, I worked three years as a religion and enterprise writer at The Associated Press in Nashville and Dallas, nine years as a reporter and editor with The Oklahoman in Oklahoma City and three years as a staff writer for smaller newspapers.
A two-time national finalist for the Religion News Association’s Supple Religion Writer of the Year Award, I received more than 30 writing awards during my secular journalism career for coverage of education, prisons, politics, religion, special projects and other topics.
With AP, I earned honorable mention (second place) in 2004 for the Associated Press Managing Editors’ Charles Rowe Award for distinguished reporting in AP’s 150 domestic bureaus. I won second place in 2004 for Texas AP Staffer of the Year, given by the Texas Associated Press Managing Editors.
At The Oklahoman, Griff Palmer (now with The New York Times) and I claimed a regional Dallas Press Club Katie Award in 2000 for best series in a major metropolitan newspaper. That award honored a computer-assisted reporting project on school choice that I did through a two-month Education Writers Association national fellowship.
I was a lead victims team writer for The Oklahoman’s 1995 Oklahoma City bombing coverage that won two national SPJ awards, a Dart Award and many other awards. In my nine years with Oklahoma’s largest newspaper, I received 11 first-place awards from the Oklahoma SPJ and the Associated Press/Oklahoma News Executives Carl Rogan Awards.
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The Ross News 