Homeless ministry feeds bodies, souls: Hundreds find Jesus at River City (reporting from North Little Rock, Ark.). Page 1 lead. NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Get right, church, and let’s go home … You better get right, church, and let’s go home … It’s a weekday morning, about 30 minutes before lunch, but the homeless men and women assembled in the River City Ministry dining room sing … Continue reading Homeless ministry feeds, bodies souls
Black, white and Gray: Civil rights attorney who once challenged Lipscomb University in court receives the Christian university’s highest honor (reporting from Nashville, Tenn.). Page 1 lead. NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Forty-five years ago, civil rights attorney and preacher Fred Gray filed a lawsuit that exposed deep divides between black and white members of Churches of Christ.The 1967 lawsuit challenged the transfer of more than $400,000 in … Continue reading Black, white and Gray: Race relations in Churches of Christ
Is your church visitor-friendly? Page 1 lead. When Sarah Stirman and her family moved to the Dallas area last summer, they visited half a dozen congregations. At each, their experience was basically the same. “Our family sat alone and was ignored before service started. If we were lucky, we were greeted during ‘shake and bake,’” she said, referring to the forced greeting period when the … Continue reading Is your church visitor-friendly?
Training to lead: Lads vs. LTC (reporting from Indianapolis). Currents. INDIANAPOLIS — The crowd was loud and rowdy, ready to explode with excitement. From all over the Midwest — and as far away as New York — they had traveled for the big event, filling a downtown hotel. Giant red banners and colorful balloons decorated the stage. Hundreds of trophies adorned a white-clothed table. But before … Continue reading Training to lead: Lads vs. LTC
A rocky road for Mexico missions: Amid violence south of the U.S. border, many churches rethink travel plans (reporting from Aquiles, Mexico). Page 1. First Place (part of three-story portfolio), Magazine News Religion Reporting, Religion News Association Finalist (part of three-story portfolio), Supple Feature Writer of the Year Award, Religion News Association Third Place, General News Reporting, Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists By Bobby Ross Jr. … Continue reading A rocky road for Mexico missions
‘Little youth rally’ draws 12,000 as teens make annual pilgrimage to Winterfest (reporting from Gatlinburg, Tenn.). Currents. GATLINBURG, Tenn. – Envision a crowd at a rock concert — a mob of frenzied fans lined up hours early waiting for the doors to open. Picture the scene at a national political convention — a throng of party faithful with crazy hats and colorful signs. Imagine the audience … Continue reading ‘Little youth rally’ draws 12,000 as teens make annual pilgrimage to Winterfest
Illegal immigration pits law vs. mercy: One minister’s passion for aliens (reporting from Chicago). Page 1 lead. First Place (part of three-story portfolio), Magazine News Religion Reporting, Religion News Association Finalist (part of three-story portfolio), Supple Feature Writer of the Year Award, Religion News Association By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle CHICAGO – On a dark street, a mother weeps. At 4:45 a.m., she stands … Continue reading Illegal immigration pits law vs. mercy
From ‘serve us’ to service: For a 120-year-old church, growth coincides with a renewed focus on Kingdom building and community outreach (reporting from Mt. Juliet, Tenn.). Churches That Work. MT. JULIET, Tenn. — Forgive David Shannon if he sounds like he’s boasting. It’s just that he’s impressed with the young man at the end of the table. “He’s probably as smart as you and me put together, you know … Continue reading From ‘serve us’ to service
By Bobby Ross Jr. My Top 10 bylines of 2011: 10. Funding on the decline for children’s homes across the nation. DUNCAN, S.C. – Southeastern Children’s Home cares for neglected and abused children on a 50-acre campus overlooking the Smoky Mountains. Boys row out in a boat to catch bass and bream in a spring-fed pond. A beekeeper teaches girls how to cultivate honey. The … Continue reading 2011 in review: My Top 10 bylines of the year
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 