The crucial role of the ‘faith-based FEMA’ after Florence
Working alongside government agencies, Christian volunteers aid hurricane victims based on what each denomination does best. By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Christianity Today For years, Ed and Marian Stinnette have served as the hands and feet of Jesus in disaster zones, helping victims recover from devastating storms such as Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Now, the longtime Samaritan’s Purse volunteers and their home congregation, Port … Continue reading The crucial role of the ‘faith-based FEMA’ after Florence
After Botham Jean’s shooting death, his church intent on seeking justice
‘Why did it happen to somebody like him?’ grieving fellow Christians demand to know.
Second Place, News Story, Associated Church Press
Second Place, In-Depth Coverage, Associated Church Press
By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle
DALLAS — The preacher stood wearily on stage, wiping tears from his eyes.
The mayor, working to bring healing to a city of 1.3 million, sought solace on a front pew.
Allison Jean, mourning the fatal shooting of her son Botham Shem Jean by a Dallas police officer, wailed as the 250-member, predominantly black congregation sang hymns such as “Trouble in My Way.”
“I know that Jesus — Jesus — he will fix it after a while,” the church sang.
Television and newspaper cameras captured the emotion — and the heartbreak — as the Dallas West Church of Christ gathered to worship Sunday, three days after the inexplicable killing of 26-year-old Botham Jean in his own apartment.
This was no ordinary Lord’s Day for Christians grieving the sudden loss of a beloved song leader and Bible class teacher — and doing so under an immense media spotlight stretching from Texas all the way to the Caribbean island nation of St. Lucia.
“Somebody like Bo — why?” longtime church member Sherron Rodgers said, uttering the question on everybody’s mind. “Why did it happen to somebody like him? I’m just sad.
“He was a special, kind person who would never mess with anybody,” she added. “He’d take off his jacket and give it to you. That’s the kind of person he was.”
This story appears in the October 2018 edition of The Christian Chronicle. It was picked up by Religion News Service and distributed on its national wire.
Continue reading “After Botham Jean’s shooting death, his church intent on seeking justice”
‘Botham is singing with the angels’: Victim remembered at vigil
Peace — and justice — sought in the police-involved killing of a beloved Harding University graduate. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle DALLAS — Tears flowed Saturday at the Dallas West Church of Christ as hundreds came together for a prayer vigil in memory of Botham Shem Jean, the 26-year-old church member shot to death by an off-duty, uniformed police officer. As the Dallas resident’s killing refocused … Continue reading ‘Botham is singing with the angels’: Victim remembered at vigil
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
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 