Despite severe burns, Minnesota preacher is devoted to fulfilling God’s purpose for his life. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ROSEVILLE, Minn. — A grease fire that severely burned Richard Inyang on his stomach, arms, hands and upper thighs could have killed him. But it didn’t. As the Minnesota preacher sees it, the Lord still has a purpose for him. After his brush with death, the … Continue reading ‘Divine power’ saves minister
Churches across the U.S. serving more hungry neighbors, leaders report. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle MINNEAPOLIS — As volunteers prepared to hand out milk, produce, canned goods and meat, cars lined up outside the Minneapolis Central Church of Christ. More than an hour before the church’s weekly food distribution, vehicles stretched down a neighborhood street — an indication of the extreme need the congregation serves. “My … Continue reading Demand for food ministries rises with grocery prices
By Bobby Ross Jr. The “Best of the Church Press” Awards were presented Friday night in Chicago. I was blessed to receive six awards — including first-place honors in three categories — from the Associated Church Press. My awards: • First Place, News Story (Short Format), for “It’s the same Jesus” from Chicago. “As an old news writer turned minister, I really enjoy well-done feature stories. This has it … Continue reading Bobby Ross Jr. wins six national ‘Best of the Church Awards’ from Associated Church Press
For Harding School of Theology, it’s the end of an era after 66 years in Memphis. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle MEMPHIS, TENN. — Before the preacher stepped to the pulpit, the crowd seated in wooden pews at Harding School of Theology stood to sing. The hymn before the lesson — “Our God, He Is Alive” — rose in volume and intensity, a crescendo of emotion befitting the moment. … Continue reading ‘A great, joyful sense of closure’
Author recounts growing up in Churches of Christ — and her sexual assault by a preacher. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle The biggest villain — and rightly so — in Nancy French’s memoir “Ghosted: An American Story” is a preacher who gives the seventh-grader a ride home from Vacation Bible School. “In his early twenties, he was too young to be a preacher,” French writes. “But … Continue reading Nancy French’s ‘Ghosted’ offers a haunting, helpful read — but not for everyone
The story behind ministers spending an afternoon in a ballpark suite. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ARLINGTON, TEXAS —Fishing is about more than fishing. That was the gist of a Top 10 country song released in 2011. Trace Adkins’ “Just Fishin’” details a father’s deeper desire for simple time spent with his daughter: And she thinks we’re just fishing on the riverside Throwing back what … Continue reading What’s really going on at the Texas Rangers game
Christians mobilize to help after monster tornado strikes small Oklahoma town. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle SULPHUR, Okla. — After a monster tornado hit this southern Oklahoma town late Saturday night, the Vinita Avenue Church of Christ swung into action. With power out Sunday morning, the congregation — which counted 38 worshipers on a recent Lord’s Day — canceled the regular assembly and focused on helping storm victims. … Continue reading ‘All I could see was destruction’
By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle OKLAHOMA CITY — My parents must be so proud. I’ve finally arrived. That’s right: I’ve reached cartoon status in an international Christian newspaper. Over the past 19 years, I’ve written more than 150 Inside Story columns for The Christian Chronicle. Readers have become accustomed to seeing my mugshot on Page 3. “You look just like your picture in the paper,” I’ve … Continue reading Be honest: What do you think of my new face?
The Awards for Excellence in Religion Reporting showcase outstanding journalism across all media. From The Christian Chronicle: PITTSBURGH — Bobby Ross Jr., editor-in-chief of The Christian Chronicle, received the nation’s top award for religion feature writing at a ceremony Saturday night at the Andy Warhol Museum. The Religion News Association presented Ross with the Supple Award for Feature Writing during its 75th anniversary convention in Pittsburgh. Jodi Rudoren, editor-in-chief of The Forward, a leading … Continue reading Religion News Association honors Bobby Ross Jr. with Supple Award for Feature Writing
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 