Category: Christian Chronicle

Christian Chronicle

‘Join in with us to save Southwestern,’ prays new president of historically black Christian college

Terrell, Texas, institution works to overcome declining enrollment and beleaguered finances. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle After nearly half a century with Jack Evans at the helm, Southwestern Christian College — the only historically black higher education institution associated with Churches of Christ — has a new president. Ervin D. Seamster Jr., senior minister for the 450-member Light of the World Church of Christ in … Continue reading ‘Join in with us to save Southwestern,’ prays new president of historically black Christian college

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

One church’s ‘compassionate and Christ-like’ approach to the opioid crisis

Amid national drug epidemic, Connecticut’s largest congregation joins its community’s fight. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle Connecticut’s opioid crisis — part of a national epidemic — claimed more than 900 lives last year. “That is about three times more than the number who will die in car accidents and about six times more than will die from gun violence,” said Deirdre Daly, U.S. Attorney for the District … Continue reading One church’s ‘compassionate and Christ-like’ approach to the opioid crisis

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Ph.D. optional: Why a Christian university with doctoral programs chose a preacher president

With the selection of minister David Shannon, Freed-Hardeman trustees emphasize spiritual leadership, communications skills and connections with Churches of Christ. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle When trustees of Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tenn., first identified preacher David Shannon as a candidate for the Christian university’s presidency, a key alumnus voiced concern about Shannon’s lack of academic credentials and higher education experience. That … Continue reading Ph.D. optional: Why a Christian university with doctoral programs chose a preacher president

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

A baptism, then a murder confession

Texas woman gave her life to Christ, owned up to a slaying — and got a life sentence. Second Place, Best Reporter portfolio, Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle GATESVILLE, Texas — Lucinda Wilson might have gotten away with murder. Except that she became a Christian and confessed to her crime. Now 48, Wilson has served 20-plus years … Continue reading A baptism, then a murder confession

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

A favorite aunt has lived a full life; now she battles Alzheimer’s

By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ALLEN, Texas — Aunt Melba has no idea who Harold Tidwell is, but he loves her. He loves her from deep in his soul. He cherishes her as if she were his own mother — a role she fulfilled for him and Gail Tidwell, his wife of nearly 50 years, after their parents died. Harold Tidwell, 78, … Continue reading A favorite aunt has lived a full life; now she battles Alzheimer’s

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

For third year in a row, Christian Chronicle named top newspaper by Associated Church Press

My Christian Chronicle colleague Chellie Ison reports: CHICAGO — For the third year in a row, The Christian Chronicle has earned top honors in the “Best of the Christian Press” contest, sponsored by the Associated Church Press. The Chronicle was awarded the first-place “Award of Excellence” in the prestigious “Best in Class” category for national and international newspapers. “The Christian Chronicle is consistently well planned, written, … Continue reading For third year in a row, Christian Chronicle named top newspaper by Associated Church Press

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Choose your superlative, but The Atlantic’s deep dive on Islamic State radicalization is a must read

By Bobby Ross Jr. | GetReligion

The Twitterverse has spoken: Emma Green’s in-depth Atlantic piece detailing “How Two Mississippi College Students Fell in Love and Decided to Join a Terrorist Group” is “amazing journalism.”

It’s “complex & fascinating.” It’s “phenomenal reporting … highlighting the amazing work FBI does to fight online radicalization.” It’s a “must read.”

As Tony the Tiger might say, it’s grrrrreat!

What can I add to all of the above?

Not a whole lot, except for this: Amen!

The story hooks the reader from the beginning as it describes the couple’s plans to travel to Turkey and then Syria. At the end of the first section comes the kicker — the sudden twist around which the rest of this magnificent, heartbreaking story revolves.

The reporting is deep and nuanced — enhanced by crucial interviews with friends and relatives and close inspections of court records and federal investigators’ practices.

Green, a Godbeat specialist, blends a religion writer’s sensitivity to the complexities of faith with an investigative reporter’s dedication to pulling back every layer of the onion to uncover the truth.

Read the full column.

• • •

All of my GetReligion columns (May 2017):

Continue reading “Choose your superlative, but The Atlantic’s deep dive on Islamic State radicalization is a must read”

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

Trump coverage wins first-place SPJ award for election reporting

My stories on Donald Trump and other Republican candidates campaigning in Oklahoma City last year earned a first-place award for election reporting. I received the honor in the Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists’ 2017 contest. The winning package included the main story “In the GOP primaries, do politics Trump values and character?” along with a column “GOP presidential politics, professional wrestling style” and a related story “Elephant in the pews: Is the … Continue reading Trump coverage wins first-place SPJ award for election reporting

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

In Canada, refugees find love and hope

For these Syrians, church members have become ‘a second family.’ First Place, Feature Article, Associated Church Press Second Place, Best Reporter portfolio, Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ST. CATHARINES, Ontario — Ten-year-old Mohammed and his sister Miriam, 6, shriek with excitement when they hear knocking at the front door. The pint-sized Syrian refugees are expecting Jori Warren, … Continue reading In Canada, refugees find love and hope

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.