After El Paso massacre, one Mexican-American grandmother turns to God for answers and comfort
22 white balloons, ‘Amazing Grace’ and a little hope. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle For Monica Moreno, the first news of the El Paso, Texas, massacre came via social media. A glance at Snapchat drew her attention to a relative’s post warning of an active shooter at a Walmart in Moreno’s hometown. By the time the rampage ended that Saturday, 22 people … Continue reading After El Paso massacre, one Mexican-American grandmother turns to God for answers and comfort
Houston-area Churches of Christ unite to feed the hungry
Organizers eye a single-day meal assembly record, as 1,200 racially diverse volunteers serve at the nation’s largest food bank. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle HOUSTON — A sea of blue washed over America’s largest food bank this past weekend. That was the color of matching T-shirts worn by 1,200 Christians and their friends who showed up Saturday for “Mission Day 2019” — an effort by … Continue reading Houston-area Churches of Christ unite to feed the hungry
From El Paso, a heart-wrenching religion story that might be the best all year
By Bobby Ross Jr. | GetReligion
Los Angeles Times national correspondent David Montero’s front-page feature on the parents of an El Paso, Texas, shooting victim is not perfect.
But it’s pretty darn close.
It just might be — in terms of the mixture of storytelling prowess and attention to faith details — the best religion story you’ll read all year.
However, be sure to grab a tissue before clicking the link and becoming engrossed in the narrative. Trust me on that.
Continue reading “From El Paso, a heart-wrenching religion story that might be the best all year”
This journalist got a big scoop, only to watch Fox News steal his reporting — and his traffic
By Kelly McBride|Poynter Institute Bobby Ross Jr. is a veteran religion reporter and a man of faith. He edits The Christian Chronicle, an independent news organization serving the Church of Christ community. It was surprising, then, when Ross took to Twitter last week to call out a Fox News reporter. The cable TV network “aggregated” (Ross will say “stole”) one of his best stories without doing its … Continue reading This journalist got a big scoop, only to watch Fox News steal his reporting — and his traffic
‘We wanted this to be a Jesus crusade’
40th anniversary Crusade for Christ stresses racial unity. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle FORT WORTH, Texas — Emphasizing that Jesus loves all the little children — “red and yellow, black and white” — the 40th anniversary Crusade for Christ put a special emphasis on racial unity. “We didn’t want this to be a black crusade,” Steve Cloer, minister for the Southside Church of Christ in Fort Worth, … Continue reading ‘We wanted this to be a Jesus crusade’
‘Champs’ meet Christ at Croatian camp
In this once-communist nation, non-Catholic believers often face suspicion. But Churches of Christ report progress. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ZAGREB, Croatia — For nine years, members of Churches of Christ in this central European capital have organized an annual outreach to children known as “Champs Camp.” It’s not every year, though, that the weeklong, Christian-themed day camp mixes Vacation Bible School songs and … Continue reading ‘Champs’ meet Christ at Croatian camp
On Croatia trip, a son reminds his father of the value of missions
Little moments meant a lot in the life of a future youth minister. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ZAGREB, Croatia — To me, the young man preaching as a brother in Christ translates his English words into Croatian is still 8 years old. He’s the little boy who traveled 1,100 miles in a white rental van with his home congregation — the Edmond Church of Christ in … Continue reading On Croatia trip, a son reminds his father of the value of missions
Ebola survivor Dr. Kent Brantly returning to Africa as medical missionary
Five years after contracting the deadly virus in Liberia, the Christian doctor will serve at Mukinge Mission Hospital in Zambia. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle FORT WORTH, Texas — Dr. Kent Brantly sat on his counselor’s couch and wept. The tears came last summer as the Christian physician visited with Dottie Schulz, a missionary care volunteer with Texas-based Mission Resource Network,which is associated with … Continue reading Ebola survivor Dr. Kent Brantly returning to Africa as medical missionary
After No. 45’s death, baseball gods smile on Angels in outfield and on pitcher’s mound
By Bobby Ross Jr. | GetReligion
Baseball is a religion all its own, full of traditions, rituals and unexplained miracles.
Anybody who ever has seen the movie “Field of Dreams” — or watched the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs finally claim World Series titles — knows that. (Eventually, my beloved Texas Rangers have to win the big one, right?)
Sometimes, the gods — the baseball gods — make their presence known in ways that even nonbelievers must find impossible to ignore.
How else to explain what happened in Anaheim, Calif., on Friday night?
Here’s how ESPN described what happened:
ANAHEIM, Calif. – Mike Trout shook his head.
“You can’t,” he said, pausing for a moment to gather himself. “You can’t make this stuff up.”
The Los Angeles Angels scored seven first-inning runs Friday night. They finished with 13. Tyler Skaggs’ birthday is on the 13th day of the seventh month, which just so happens to be Saturday.
“I’m speechless,” Trout said. “This is the best way to honor him.”
The Angels honored Skaggs with an emotional ceremony before their first home game since his sudden death on July 1. They honored him by donning his No. 45 jersey. They honored him by inviting his mother, Debbie Hetman, onto the field for the ceremonial first pitch. And they honored him, improbably, with a combined no-hitter, delivered by Taylor Cole and Felix Pena in a 13-0 trouncing of the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium.
Angels manager Brad Ausmus called it “one of the most special moments I’ve been a part of on a major league field in 25 years.”
“You feel like it’s partly Skaggsy’s no-hitter,” he said.
A Hollywood ending?
Nope.
It was more than that, said MLB.com.
Continue reading “After No. 45’s death, baseball gods smile on Angels in outfield and on pitcher’s mound”
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 