Category: Christian Chronicle

Christian Chronicle

COVID-19 challenges Christian relief ministries’ response to spring tornadoes

Members of Churches of Christ adapt practices to serve storm victims during the coronavirus pandemic. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle After an EF3 tornado slammed into Jonesboro, Ark., on March 28, the Nettleton Church of Christ could have used the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse not to help. Instead, the 100-member congregation immediately mobilized while taking precautions designed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. “Because … Continue reading COVID-19 challenges Christian relief ministries’ response to spring tornadoes

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Serving amid COVID-19, husband and wife try to balance safety and compassion

He leads a disaster relief ministry. She works as an ICU nurse. Avoiding the coronavirus is a challenge. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle Hours after Easter Sunday tornadoes walloped the twin cities of Monroe and West Monroe in northeastern Louisiana, Ryan Lee came home from working with a chainsaw crew. The mask intended to protect him from the coronavirus dangled around his neck. … Continue reading Serving amid COVID-19, husband and wife try to balance safety and compassion

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Forgiving Carla’s killers

Twenty-five years ago, a Harding University junior was raped and murdered. Her parents found peace by sharing their Christian faith with the men responsible. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle Easter Sunday 1995 was a beautiful day for Roy and Jeanie Willmon. Blue sky. Temperatures in the 70s. Their daughter, Carla, home for the weekend. The 20-year-old junior at Harding University in Searcy, Ark., … Continue reading Forgiving Carla’s killers

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

As thousands die from the coronavirus, does Jesus care?

Amid a global pandemic, we can put our hope and trust in the Lord. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle I’m not the best daily Bible reader. I become distracted and neglect to open God’s word for a few days. Or after my eyes move over an entire passage, I realize I allowed my mind to wander. And I fail to grasp what the … Continue reading As thousands die from the coronavirus, does Jesus care?

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle, The Ross News

Bobby Ross Jr. honored with 10 ACP ‘Best of the Church Press’ awards for 2019

By Bobby Ross Jr. I was blessed to receive 10 honors — including first place in four categories — in the Associated Church Press “Best of the Church Press” contest. The awards, presented in a virtual awards ceremony March 19, recognized content produced in 2019. In all, The Christian Chronicle received 16 awards — including the top prize as best newspaper. In case my mother … Continue reading Bobby Ross Jr. honored with 10 ACP ‘Best of the Church Press’ awards for 2019

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Coronavirus pandemic prompts numerous Churches of Christ to cancel Sunday assemblies

Other congregations meet but with modifications such as individual, prepackaged communion. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle COVID-19 has made one thing clear, if it was not already: The church is not a building. Amid concerns over the spread of the coronavirus, hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Churches of Christ in the U.S. and abroad canceled regular worship assemblies this weekend.  Some congregations did so for the … Continue reading Coronavirus pandemic prompts numerous Churches of Christ to cancel Sunday assemblies

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

After tornado, a teen grieves her 4-year-old friend

‘You don’t ever think that’s the last time you’re going to see somebody,’ Izzy Stevens says. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — Just three nights before the unimaginable happened, Izzy Stevens, 17, laughed with her 4-year-old friend, Hattie Jo Collins, across a table at Pizza Hut. Hattie, known for her colorful headbands adorned with flowers, rainbows and unicorns, was the daughter of … Continue reading After tornado, a teen grieves her 4-year-old friend

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Volunteer State: Christians rally to help

After Tennessee’s deadly tornadoes, Churches of Christ play a leading role in the disaster relief effort. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — Mike Luke wore a bright orange “Disaster Assistance Church of Christ” T-shirt as he steered a four-wheel vehicle carrying food and supplies for tornado victims toward a ravaged neighborhood. Near a hill lined with 18 memorial crosses remembering victims of last … Continue reading Volunteer State: Christians rally to help

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

The journey that led a church to appoint female elders

‘It needs to be the whole body,’ Sheila Bost says of men and women leading and preaching. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle LOS ANGELES — In the early 1960s, then-Abilene Christian College — a Texas higher education institution associated with Churches of Christ — had different rules for male and female dorm residents. Sheila Bost, now a grandmother of 12, remembers that she couldn’t study at … Continue reading The journey that led a church to appoint female elders

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.