Category: Christian Chronicle

Christian Chronicle

Preacher, lay your debt burden down

Preacher, lay your debt burden down (reporting from Florence, Ala.): Heritage Christian University sets a goal of graduating every student with no loans to repay. First in a series FLORENCE, Ala. — Lucas Suddreth thought he’d rely on federal student loans to pay for his ministry education. Instead, Heritage Christian University gave him a full-tuition scholarship and helped arrange a part-time youth ministry position. “I’m extremely … Continue reading Preacher, lay your debt burden down

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

The faith behind Disney’s ‘McFarland, USA’

The faith behind Disney’s ‘McFarland, USA’: New movie starring Kevin Costner is based on the inspiring true story of coach Jim White, who has deep roots in Churches of Christ. “McFarland, USA,” a new Disney film starring Kevin Costner, tells the true story of California cross-country coach Jim White, who transformed a migrant farm town’s predominantly Latino high school into an unlikely powerhouse. The PG-rated motion … Continue reading The faith behind Disney’s ‘McFarland, USA’

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Youth Advance builds the future, and present, of the church

Youth Advance builds the future, and present, of the church (reporting from Malvern, Pa.): Organizers work to identify and train the most outstanding teen leaders in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states. MALVERN, Pa. — In a hotel meeting room northwest of Philadelphia, a gray-haired facilitator sings karaoke with a group of teens. The playlist ranges from Katy Perry’s “Roar” to the Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine” to the … Continue reading Youth Advance builds the future, and present, of the church

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Sketching the Good News — nightly

Sketching the Good News — nightly (reporting from Shamokin Dam, Pa.): At a low point in his life, Bill Wiist found comfort in giving visual expression to holy words. SHAMOKIN DAM, Pa. — When Matthew A. Wiist left home for U.S. Marine Corps boot camp in 2009, he asked a favor of his father, Bill, a talented artist. The son requested that his dad pick an … Continue reading Sketching the Good News — nightly

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

His dad was a preacher — and a pedophile

After discovering his father’s secret, Jimmy Hinton strives to create awareness of sexual predators. First Place, Feature Writing, Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists Second Place, Feature Article, Associated Church Press (a different story of mine won first place in this category) Honorable mention (part of three-story portfolio), Magazine News Religion Reporting, Religion News Association By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle SOMERSET, Pa. — Jimmy Hinton grew up at the … Continue reading His dad was a preacher — and a pedophile

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

‘Worship is our protest’

In Ferguson, a predominantly black church focuses on healing its community by glorifying God. First Place, News Story, Associated Church Press Honorable mention (part of three-story portfolio), Magazine News Religion Reporting, Religion News Association By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle FERGUSON, Mo. — Brian Owens feels a need to protest. But his protest doesn’t involve waving a “hands up, don’t shoot” sign, staging a “die-in” or … Continue reading ‘Worship is our protest’

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Modern-day Job preaching again

Modern-day Job preaching again (reporting from Ridgeland, Miss.): After the murders of his wife and son, Mississippi minister Les Ferguson Jr. wrestled with God. RIDGELAND, Miss. — Les Ferguson Jr. couldn’t help but scream at God. Why — the longtime minister demanded to know — didn’t the Almighty protect his wife and son from the predator who murdered them? In his darkest days, Ferguson couldn’t imagine ever trusting … Continue reading Modern-day Job preaching again

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Dear God, please stop Ebola, Liberian immigrants pray

Dear God, please stop Ebola, Liberian immigrants pray: Rhode Island minister hopeful as rate of infections slows in his disease-ravaged homeland. A space vehicle named Philae lands on a comet 310 million miles from Earth? That news strikes close to home. An Ebola outbreak kills thousands in West Africa? Many of us find that news harder to fathom — except when an isolated case of … Continue reading Dear God, please stop Ebola, Liberian immigrants pray

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Remember the Titans, neglect the saints

Remember the Titans, neglect the saints: For some, gridiron gods compete with God for time and attention on Sunday.  In my Associated Press days, I wrote about a church that developed a “Holy Huddle” program to combat people leaving services early to watch the Dallas Cowboys. More recently, a preacher I know in a different NFL city complained about members slipping out in the middle of … Continue reading Remember the Titans, neglect the saints

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.