A church makes a special connection with an Orlando victim’s family

How a New Jersey congregation came to bless a grieving mother who lost her son in the nation’s worst mass shooting. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ORLANDO, Fla. — “It’s been a while, man,” said my friend Jose Luis Cintrón, who lives in Fort Worth, Texas. Thirty years, to be exact. Sadly, I called after all these years because my friend just … Continue reading A church makes a special connection with an Orlando victim’s family

After a deadly week, a somber Sunday for Dallas churches

Christians look to God for comfort and guidance after a sniper kills five police officers. Third Place, In-Depth Reporting, Associated Church Press (part of a series of stories on police shootings, racial unrest and the church) By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle DALLAS — A young mother on her way into worship hugged a Dallas police officer providing parking lot security at the … Continue reading After a deadly week, a somber Sunday for Dallas churches

Christian universities put on ‘shame list’

Gay-rights organizations target federal funding and NCAA ties of schools with traditional biblical beliefs. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle Revoke Christian universities’ eligibility for federal student financial aid. Strip their membership in the National Collegiate Athletic Association. That’s what major gay-rights groups would like to do with higher education schools that espouse traditional biblical beliefs on sexuality and gender identity. “Some voices … Continue reading Christian universities put on ‘shame list’

Christians sing, pray at memorial site after Orlando massacre

By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle After Sunday’s terrorist attack on a gay nightclub claimed the lives of 49 souls, a dozen members of three Orlando, Fla.-area Churches of Christ brought flowers — and prayers — to a memorial site for the victims. “Together we #prayforOrlando,” said a poster signed by members of one of those congregations, the Concord Street Church of Christ. … Continue reading Christians sing, pray at memorial site after Orlando massacre

‘We really want to be there for people who are victimized’

By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Lately, Kathy Hargis can’t turn on the television news without seeing another report of a sexual assault on a university campus. From the case of a former Stanford University swimmer who attacked an unconscious woman near a dumpster to the furor over Baylor University’s mishandling of rape allegations against football players, the issue has … Continue reading ‘We really want to be there for people who are victimized’

Finalists named for Religion Newswriters Association national awards — and I made the list

Congratulations to the 2016 RNA Award finalists! https://t.co/4mVb95I8bQ pic.twitter.com/LCUmJTbPSD — Religion Newswriters (@ReligionReport) June 6, 2016 By Bobby Ross Jr. The Religion Newswriters Association has announced the national finalists for its “Awards for Religion Reporting Excellence.” I am honored to make the list again this year. My portfolio in the Magazine News Religion Reporting category includes these stories from The Christian Chronicle: “The broken soul of … Continue reading Finalists named for Religion Newswriters Association national awards — and I made the list

Does ‘turn the other cheek’ apply to a baseball brawl?

After Rougned Odor’s now-famous punch of Jose Bautista, ministers and other church members debate whether a Christian can — or should — cheer for on-field violence. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ARLINGTON, Texas — “Turn the other cheek” sounds so simple in Sunday morning Bible class. The concept becomes a little more difficult when you’re a rabid Texas Rangers fan, sitting in … Continue reading Does ‘turn the other cheek’ apply to a baseball brawl?

He pitches with heart — a brand new one

Kansas high school senior calls life-saving transplant “an absolute gift from God.” By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle GODDARD, Kan. — It’s a picture-perfect afternoon for baseball as Josh Oakley steps to the mound: blue sky, soft breeze and 71 degrees. Fifteen family members — two parents, four grandparents, three of Oakley’s five older sisters and six nieces and nephews — cheer as … Continue reading He pitches with heart — a brand new one

Coming soon: worship at the movie theater

Coming soon: worship at the movie theater (reporting from Torrance, Calif.): California church planters embrace their Church of Christ heritage but say ‘franchising’ a traditional approach won’t reach lost souls. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle TORRANCE, Calif. — When EPIC Church launches in this Los Angeles-area city of 150,000 souls in August, it won’t meet in a building with wooden pews or … Continue reading Coming soon: worship at the movie theater