Category: Christian Chronicle

Christian Chronicle

In Georgia county with history of racial violence, Christians seek unity

‘It’s mentally hard for a lot of folks to cross that county line,’ Black minister says. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle CUMMING, Ga. — Kelvin Teamer stood on the stage of the Grace Chapel Church of Christ and marveled at the crowd. In this small town about 40 miles northeast of Atlanta, about 600 Christians — Black, White and Hispanic — filled the pews for a … Continue reading In Georgia county with history of racial violence, Christians seek unity

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Pandemic and politics exacerbate challenges facing an Ohio church

The congregation’s experience reflects ‘the emotional tension that seems to be really big in the country as a whole.’ By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle MARYSVILLE, Ohio — This one-time farm town about 30 miles northwest of Columbus is booming. The century-old Marysville Church of Christ is not. Even before the pandemic, the congregation in central Ohio struggled to increase its flock, much less match the area’s … Continue reading Pandemic and politics exacerbate challenges facing an Ohio church

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Why are some Christians so angry?

As political rancor festers, believers urged to focus not on the donkey or the elephant — but the Lamb. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle Chris McCurley has noticed something. “People are angrier than ever,” he said. That includes many Christians, said McCurley, who preaches for the Oldham Lane Church of Christ in Abilene, Texas. “I believe it’s a combination of things: COVID, politics, etc.,” he … Continue reading Why are some Christians so angry?

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

A heavenly day at the ballpark

Stranger’s kindness makes granddaughter’s first Texas Rangers game even more memorable. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ARLINGTON, Texas — In my family, births, weddings and baptisms count as major milestones. So does one’s first time to attend a Texas Rangers game. I’ve followed Rangers baseball — through pulse-pounding wins and heart-wrenching losses — for 40 years. I still chuckle at the intro to his devo No. 60 … Continue reading A heavenly day at the ballpark

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Tears at a military church

Congregation that trains members for service around the world honors its retiring minister. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — Fifty years after preaching his first sermon, Ron Edwards jokes that he knows the secret to ministry. Change churches every three years. Actually, Edwards — who is retiring from full-time preaching — spent the past 37 years serving the Roosevelt Drive Church of Christ in … Continue reading Tears at a military church

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

‘We only need one to live’

Desperate to save a beloved older member, a church ran an ad seeking a kidney donor. A thousand miles away, a young believer felt God prick her heart. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle NEW BERN, N.C. — Sam Birmingham needed a kidney. He desperately needed a kidney. His quality of life — his life itself — depended on it.  But the longtime Christian, who had … Continue reading ‘We only need one to live’

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

How five Nashville churches came together

As attendance numbers shrink nationwide, these sister congregations see their future as ‘Greater Together.’ By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle Aaron Tremblay, now a minister in the Nashville, Tenn., area, preached for 10 years for the 75-member Leominster Church of Christ in Massachusetts.  In Tremblay’s native New England, congregations tend to be small and isolated, the 37-year-old minister noted. “But what helps them continue on, even though … Continue reading How five Nashville churches came together

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Teaching the Gospel, via Zoom

Senior Christians in Virginia overcome technological fears to share Jesus around the world. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle FAIRFAX, Va. — It’s just before 1 p.m. on the East Coast as Jerri Harrington hits the play button on a video about Jesus. Roughly 7,500 miles away, it’s almost 8 p.m. in the capital of Kenya as six African girls watch the film, part of … Continue reading Teaching the Gospel, via Zoom

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Music and memories: Life lessons on a family road trip

A nostalgic journey to Branson, Mo., the popular vacation destination in Ozark Mountains. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle BRANSON, Mo. — I blink, and I’m a child again. It’s the late 1970s, and I’m bickering with my younger brother and sister over my birthright: a larger allotment of space in the back of our family’s station wagon.  We’re driving down the interstate, headed to my grandparents’ … Continue reading Music and memories: Life lessons on a family road trip

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.