By Bobby Ross Jr. The biggest — and best — news of the year was the birth of my granddaughter, Norah. But besides that banner headline, here are my top stories of 2021 (mostly in chronological order): 1. The pandemic: I started the year with coverage of many Christians welcoming the COVID-19 vaccines but others voicing skepticism. In a personal column, I reflected on the joy … Continue reading Year in review: My Top 10 stories of 2021
The winners will be announced in a virtual ceremony Oct. 7. (Update) The Religion News Association has named five Christian Chronicle journalists as finalists in the 2021 RNA Awards for Religion Reporting Excellence. The awards recognize top journalism in secular and religious publications. The Chronicle finalists are: • Bobby Ross Jr., Cheryl Mann Bacon, Chellie Ison and Hamil Harris, for the Gerald A. Renner Award for Excellence in Religion Enterprise Reporting. That team covered … Continue reading Five Christian Chronicle journalists named finalists for Religion News Association awards
By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle Dear Norah Esther Ross, Welcome to the world, my precious granddaughter. What an amazing, beautiful gift from God you are. Your Papa — that’s my name, Papa — loves you so much. Please forgive me for crying when I first met you. I couldn’t help it. Your Nana loves you like crazy, too. She has an entire sewing room filled … Continue reading A letter to my newborn granddaughter
After a year away because of the pandemic, history major returns to campus. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle MALIBU, Calif. — My 21-year-old daughter, Kendall, and I are driving through a dark tunnel on a twisty canyon road when a perfect dad joke hits me. At just the right moment, as the sun beams up ahead, I try out my bit of humor. … Continue reading As daughter graduates, just one request
‘It’s a great relief to see so many friends and family becoming more protected. We’ve had enough sickness and loss.’ By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle “Celebrate. People need hope.” My friend David Duncan texted me that advice when I told him I was struggling to write this column. Related: An unfathomable toll A year into the COVID-19 pandemic, I want to make sure I acknowledge the … Continue reading After difficult year, COVID-19 vaccines bring joy and hope
By Bobby Ross Jr. A church shooting. Deadly twisters. Racial justice protests. And the biggest news in this tumultuous year: COVID-19. These were among the most memorable stories that I covered in 2020. Here is my personal year-end Top 10 list, mostly in chronological order: • Texas church shooting: A gunman opened fire at the West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement, Texas, killing … Continue reading Year in review: My Top 10 most memorable stories of 2020
Fifty years after the White’s Ferry Road School of Preaching’s founding, its legacy endures. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle I remember the pink JOY buses that brought all the little children — “red and yellow, black and white” — to worship. I remember the campaigns where we passed out gospel flyers during the day and sang verse after verse of “Just As … Continue reading An eternal difference
Seeing the once-in-a-century pandemic through the eyes of a 2-year-old. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle OKLAHOMA CITY — As soon as I open the garage door, I hear the sweet voice of my 2-year-old grandson. “Hey, Papa, I’m riding a bike!” he calls from our front sidewalk. Taking a break from a Christian Chronicle deadline, I find Bennett playing outside with his Nana — my wife, … Continue reading My grandson, COVID-19 and me
By Bobby Ross Jr. I was honored to be named as a finalist this week for the Religion News Association’s 2020 Awards for Religion Reporting Excellence. My portfolio in the category for best reporting at non-daily newspapers and magazines included: • “A perpetrator in the pews” from Uniontown, Pa., with this related Q&A. • “Ebola survivor Dr. Kent Brantly returning to Africa as medical missionary” … Continue reading Bobby Ross Jr. honored in national, state journalism contests
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 