Category: Religion News Service

Religion News Service

He’s a major-league pitcher — and a plumber — whose faith helps keep him focused

Detroit Tigers ace Michael Fulmer works as a plumber in the offseason and serves as a mentor for adults with developmental disabilities. By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service ARLINGTON, Texas — It’s not hard to stay humble when you’re unclogging a toilet. Or when you’re throwing gopher balls to Miracle League ballplayers swinging for the fences. At least that’s how Detroit Tigers … Continue reading He’s a major-league pitcher — and a plumber — whose faith helps keep him focused

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Religion News Service

‘Those events will be with me for the rest of my life’

Waco tragedy and David Koresh’s beliefs still haunt former FBI agent. By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service WACO, Texas — Twenty-five years ago, Oklahoman Bob Ricks was the FBI’s main spokesman during the 51-day standoff outside Waco between federal agents and an apocalyptic religious sect known as the Branch Davidians. Ricks, 73, who earned his undergraduate and law degrees from Baylor University … Continue reading ‘Those events will be with me for the rest of my life’

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Religion News Service, Washington Post

Pompeo’s Kansas church asks God to ‘give him strength’ in Senate confirmation process

“Mike has enemies because of his faith who may try to paint him in a poor light and make it difficult for him to reach the Secretary of State position,” the pastor of nominee Mike Pompeo wrote to his congregation. By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service WICHITA, Kan. — Under fire from Muslim, Jewish and human rights groups for a record of … Continue reading Pompeo’s Kansas church asks God to ‘give him strength’ in Senate confirmation process

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Religion News Service

Where the buffalo roam, a Passion play approaches the century mark

Oklahoma’s version of old Jerusalem provides the setting for what organizers describe as North America’s longest continuously running outdoor Passion play. By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service WICHITA MOUNTAINS WILDLIFE REFUGE, Okla. — Before the sun sets at a remote mountain attraction called Holy City of the Wichitas, Jesus and a band of white-winged angels walk through a crowd gathering on the … Continue reading Where the buffalo roam, a Passion play approaches the century mark

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Religion News Service

When adoption agencies can turn away gay prospective parents, what happens to the kids?

Those who study the issue say it’s hard to tell exactly how such rules governing adoption affect the numbers of children placed in “forever” homes.  By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma lawmakers may soon sanction private adoption agencies turning away same-sex couples and other prospective parents who don’t meet their religious criteria, a possibility cheered by the Roman … Continue reading When adoption agencies can turn away gay prospective parents, what happens to the kids?

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle, Religion News Service

After a rescinded invitation, Ken Ham talks about God at an Oklahoma university

Its president cited the historic commitment of the public university to the critical and civil examination of ideas, no matter how controversial. By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service EDMOND, Okla. — Students at the University of Central Oklahoma got a lesson in free speech as the 16,000-student public university welcomed a presentation by Ken Ham, a nationally known creationist who rejects Charles … Continue reading After a rescinded invitation, Ken Ham talks about God at an Oklahoma university

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Religion News Service

Battle over religion in public schools waged in one of America’s fastest-growing cities

By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service McKINNEY, Texas — Public school officials in one of the nation’s fastest-growing cities are being accused of violating the separation of church and state. The controversy has been simmering in this once-tiny cotton-farming community, about 30 miles north of Dallas, since last summer when Rick McDaniel, superintendent of the McKinney Independent School District, prayed at a pulpit … Continue reading Battle over religion in public schools waged in one of America’s fastest-growing cities

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Religion News Service

Billy Graham never lived in Texas but belonged to a Dallas church for 54 years

By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service DALLAS — In 1953, Robert Jeffress’ mother, Judy, got saved at a Billy Graham crusade at Dallas’ Cotton Bowl. After the crusade, Graham — the world-famous evangelist who died Wednesday at age 99 — gave a guest sermon at First Baptist Dallas. “The day he preached, he also joined the church,” said Robert Jeffress, who grew up in … Continue reading Billy Graham never lived in Texas but belonged to a Dallas church for 54 years

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Religion News Service

Texas city council members censure colleague over anti-Islam Facebook post

By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service PLANO, Texas — The city council of heavily Republican Plano has voted to censure one of its members for an anti-Islam Facebook post — a post for which he has apologized but over which he refuses to resign. The 7-1 vote Sunday was a decisive repudiation of the kind of exclusionary rhetoric that President Trump himself … Continue reading Texas city council members censure colleague over anti-Islam Facebook post

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.