Fatal mistake: Harding graduate known for his ‘beautiful’ singing voice killed
Botham Shem Jean was the victim of a police officer who entered his apartment, mistaking it for her own, according to authorities.
By Bobby Ross Jr. and Erik Tryggestad| The Christian Chronicle
By all accounts, Botham Shem Jean was a man of deep faith with a “beautiful” and “powerful” singing voice.
Relatives, friends and fellow Christians from the U.S. to his native St. Lucia expressed shock Friday upon learning of the 2015 Harding University graduate’s tragic death.
Jean, 26, was fatally shot in Texas on Thursday night when an off-duty Dallas police officer entered his apartment, mistaking it for her own, authorities said.
“He led singing often in HU Chapel and at the College Church of Christ in Searcy,” Glenn Dillard, Harding’s assistant vice president for enrollment management, said of the 26-year-old victim. “He had a beautiful voice.”
Jean grew up in a Church of Christ on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia.
“Botham was a soldier of Christ,” his aunt, Desma Charles, told The Christian Chronicle, “committed to singing, song leading and teaching.” He was a “very vibrant young man who was well-loved by many and had the souls of men at heart.”
Charles, who worships with the Gros Islet Church of Christ in St. Lucia, said she talked with her nephew two weeks ago about “holding onto the Lord in challenging times.”
“I can say more, but my heart is too heavy,” she added. “All the congregations on the island are in grief — Gros Islet, L’Anse Road and Vieux Fort Church of Christ.”
Jean attended the Dallas West Church of Christ, which plans a prayer vigil in his memory at 4 p.m. Saturday.
Dallas Police Chief U. Renee Hall said at a Friday afternoon news conference that police will seek a manslaughter charge against the officer. Hall declined to identify the officer pending the formal filing of the charge. Dallas police have asked the Texas Rangers to conduct an independent investigation of the shooting.
“Right now, there are more questions than we have answers,” Hall told reporters. The chief said the officer’s shift had ended, but she was still in uniform when she encountered Jean inside the apartment about 10 p.m. Thursday. The officer’s blood was drawn to test for drugs and alcohol, the chief said. Specific details about the shooting were scarce.
This story appears in the online edition of The Christian Chronicle.
Continue reading “Fatal mistake: Harding graduate known for his ‘beautiful’ singing voice killed”
‘If You Want To Humble An Empire’: A 9/11 story that shouldn’t be forgotten
By Bobby Ross Jr. | GetReligion
What’s the statute of limitations for pulling a story out of the GetReligion guilt folder?
Seriously, I want to call attention to a remarkable piece of news reporting — written under tremendous deadline pressure — that predates GetReligion itself. This journalism-focused website, in case you need a refresher, launched in 2004.
As you undoubtedly know, today marks the 17th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
It seems appropriate then to recall just how much Time magazine incorporated religion into its original in-depth report on the events of 9/11. My thanks to New York Times Godbeat pro Elizabeth Dias, a Time alumnus herself, for highlighting the story by Nancy Gibbs on Twitter this morning:
If I read the Time story back in 2001, I don’t remember it. At the time, I was religion editor for The Oklahoman in Oklahoma City. I was focused on my own reporting, including writing four bylined response pieces on 9/11.
But I’m glad I took the time to read Gibbs’ piece today. It brought back so many memories. And yes, it covered crucial glimpses of faith present at that time.
The opening itself — written in Time’s analytical style — certainly emphasizes that element:
• • •
All of my GetReligion columns (September 2018):
Continue reading “‘If You Want To Humble An Empire’: A 9/11 story that shouldn’t be forgotten”
Protecting your church from cyber threats
Three experts discuss the tactics targeting churches—and why leaders must remain vigilant. By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Church Law & Tax Report Cybersecurity breaches continue to mount, and the church is far from immune. In fact, sloppy and unmonitored systems, lack of policies and protocols, and failures to follow specific rules and government regulations can leave churches vulnerable and easy targets for cybercrime. These … Continue reading Protecting your church from cyber threats
A ‘big’ step for one of America’s largest Churches of Christ
This fast-growing congregation wasn’t in the market for real estate. However, church leaders determined buying a 50-acre complex was God’s will. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle TULSA, Okla. — In “Hoosiers,” one of Mitch Wilburn’s all-time favorite movies, a small-town high school basketball team beats all odds to advance to the Indiana state championship game. In the giant arena where the Hickory Huskers … Continue reading A ‘big’ step for one of America’s largest Churches of Christ
Planning a short-term mission? These 11 tips might help
Know your purpose. Be flexible. Coordinate with local churches and missionaries. These are among the suggestions offered by trip coordinators. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle Short-term mission trips have taken Paula Harrington and her family to disaster zones in the U.S. and poor communities in Third World countries. “We have cleaned up after tornadoes, done Vacation Bible Schools on the streets, fed others, cleaned … Continue reading Planning a short-term mission? These 11 tips might help
Tax rules for gifts of personal property
Churches and their donors need to understand how to substantiate gifts — from cars to clothing. This article is the second of a two-part series on substantiating noncash gifts. Part one on noncash real property appeared in the August issue. What follows are substantiation considerations for “personal property” — such as clothing, cars, boats, household items, and stock. By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Church … Continue reading Tax rules for gifts of personal property
Houses of worship mobilize for back-to-school time
By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service OKLAHOMA CITY — On a recent weekend, Pamela Jennings brought her 7-year-old granddaughter, Amara, and 4-year-old grandson, Trend, to People’s Church, an evangelical congregation. But though Jennings is a Christian, the family didn’t come for worship. Instead, they were drawn by the church’s Day of Hope — an annual Saturday event where volunteers give away 3,200 … Continue reading Houses of worship mobilize for back-to-school time
With 330 million downloads, top Bible app celebrates 10 years
By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service EDMOND, Okla. — A high-tech Bible in your pocket? In 2018, it’s a reality for hundreds of millions of smartphone users around the world. But a decade ago, when leaders of Oklahoma-based Life Church developed the popular YouVersion app, the concept was new. “We just thought, ‘What if the Bible could be among the very first … Continue reading With 330 million downloads, top Bible app celebrates 10 years
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 