Brenda Jones, a Michigan Democrat, reflects on her short-lived tenure in Washington. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle When Brenda Jones took the oath of office for her brief tenure in the U.S. House, her first words related to her faith. “Mr. Speaker, let me start out by saying, ‘To God be the glory.’ I want to thank God for giving me this … Continue reading Five weeks in Congress: one Christian’s journey
While in a Tennessee prison for murder, Brown got a degree with the help of Lipscomb University. By Bobby Ross Jr. Each semester, the LIFE program at Nashville’s Lipscomb University, which is associated with the Churches of Christ, pairs students with inmates serving time in the Tennessee Prison for Women. This week, the most high-profile graduate of that academic program — offered behind the prison’s … Continue reading Cyntoia Brown, granted clemency, says Christian school’s program changed her life
Number of freshmen who identify with Churches of Christ hits new low, annual survey finds. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle OKLAHOMA CITY — Brynn Walker always thought she’d attend a large state university. But this fall, the 18-year-old from Fort Smith, Ark., packed up and trekked west on Interstate 40 to enroll at 2,300-student Oklahoma Christian University. “The introvert in me loved the smaller … Continue reading Christian universities face ‘extremely difficult’ recruiting outlook
The Apostles’ Creed — which President Trump chose not to recite at George H.W. Bush’s state funeral — is not a part of worship for Churches of Christ. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle The Apostles’ what? America’s roughly 1.4 million adherents of Churches of Christ generally proclaim “no creed but Christ, no book but the Bible.” As a result, many are unfamiliar with the Apostles’ … Continue reading ‘No creed but Christ, no book but the Bible’
Florida church planters look to the Bible for inspiration as they seek to ‘reclaim’ a skeptical generation. First Place, Theme Issue, Section or Series, Associated Church Press (for “Big Questions” project) By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle Roslyn Miller’s heritage in Churches of Christ runs deep. However, Reclaimed Church — the congregation she’s helping plant in Orlando, Fla. — is not a mirror … Continue reading Can Churches of Christ reach millennials?
Fast-moving blaze that ravaged Northern California town destroyed the Church of Christ’s building and most members’ homes. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle On Thursday morning, minister Joe Glenn got a call at his Paradise Church of Christ office. A friend in the 50-member Northern California congregation, which Glenn has served for nearly 15 years, warned the preacher, “We’ve been ordered to evacuate.” A fast-moving … Continue reading ‘Paradise is lost,’ but minister and wife escaped deadly wildfire ‘with the clothes on our back’
Freshman Alaina Housley died in Wednesday night’s mass shooting at a country music venue. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle “To Pepperdine: You are not alone in this tragedy.” That’s the headline on a staff editorial in The Optimist, the student newspaper at Abilene Christian University in Texas. As Pepperdine University grieves the death of freshman Alaina Housley in Wednesday night’s mass shooting in Thousand Oaks, Calif., its sister universities across the U.S. are … Continue reading After California massacre, sister universities show support for Pepperdine
After Hurricane Michael, a retired Christian steers a big rig full of food and emergency supplies to hard-hit Florida. First Place, Personality Article, Evangelical Press Association First Place, Feature Article, Associated Church Press By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle PANAMA CITY, Fla. — In the dark, John Kincaid could see hints of the devastation in this seaside city. The downed tree limbs in every … Continue reading 18 wheels and a heart to serve
Founding director urges churches to speak out against ‘situations that carry the foul scent of racial injustice.’ Third Place, Theme Issue, Section or Series, Associated Church Press By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ABILENE, Texas — In 1960, a professor named Carl Spain delivered an explosive Bible Lectureship sermon that reverberated far beyond what was known then as Abilene Christian College. In stark terms, Spain called … Continue reading Once-segregated Christian university targets racism with launch of new research center
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 