From Vietnam to Kenya, two boys’ lives touched by God
How an 11-year-old came to donate ‘the biggest gift’ ever received by a California church. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle MALIBU, Calif. — A little boy from Vietnam. A little boy from Kenya. This is the story of how one of those boys — all grown up — paid forward his blessings from God. The recipient of that boy’s extreme gratitude? The … Continue reading From Vietnam to Kenya, two boys’ lives touched by God
When God comes with a loud thud
Why an old, declining church closed to make way for a new, growing congregation to take over its building. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Jeff Pendleton met and married his wife, Marcia, at the Red Bridge Church of Christ, a once-thriving congregation less than a mile from the Kansas state line. He baptized his daughter, Kelly, there. When loved … Continue reading When God comes with a loud thud
The very definition of old news, and what a joy to read: A feature on a 400-year-old church
By Bobby Ross Jr. | GetReligion
About five years ago, I traveled to rural Iowa to report on a 156-year-old church surrounded by corn and soybean fields and a cemetery where generations of deceased members rest in peace.
The news angle was that the tiny congregation was working hard to survive despite immense challenges facing it and similar houses of worship.
As part of the same “Rural Redemption” project, I spent a Sunday with a 200-year-old assembly in the farming and coal-mining country of southeastern Ohio.
I thought those churches had long histories!
But Washington Post religion writer Julie Zauzmer recently wrote about an Episcopal congregation in rural Virginia that is marking 400 years — 400 years! — in 2018.
The Post’s headline pretty much nails it:
This 400-year-old church is older than almost any institution in America
This won’t be a long post because my basic message is simple: This is an interesting, well-reported story, and I’d urge you to read it.
What did I like about it? I’ll quickly mention three things.
• • •
All of my GetReligion columns (May 2018):
Cult leader? ‘Sinful Messiah’? 25 years later, interest in David Koresh still strong
By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service
WACO, Texas — The curious keep coming.
They turn onto a gravel road 10 miles east of Waco and pass through a black gate leading to a rural complex where David Koresh — leader of an apocalyptic religious sect known as the Branch Davidians — and 75 followers perished in a firestorm on April 19, 1993.
That came after six Branch Davidians and four federal agents earlier died amid a flurry of gunfire in the government’s initial Feb. 28, 1993, raid on the 77-acre Mount Carmel property.
“I was just really curious about seeing this memorial and seeing what’s out here,” said Eric Williams, a Seattle film producer who made it a point to visit the site during a leisure trip to Texas.
Nearby, a woman snapped a picture of a monument listing the names of Koresh and the other 81 Branch Davidians — including 18 children ages 10 or younger — who lost their lives in the 51-day federal standoff that ended in a nationally televised inferno.
Twenty-five years after the siege, interest in what happened outside Waco — and who’s to blame — remains immense.
Evidence of that can be seen in the spate of recent television specials coinciding with the anniversary — from ABC’s “Truth and Lies: Waco” to the Paramount Network’s six-part miniseries “Waco” to the Smithsonian Channel’s documentary “Waco: The Longest Siege.”
Related: Former FBI agent still haunted by Waco tragedy and David Koresh’s beliefs (reporting from Waco, Texas)
My 1993 story: FBI spokesman relishes comfort of home after horror of Waco (reporting from Edmond, Okla.)
Religion News Service is a national wire service whose media partners include The Associated Press, USA Today and the Washington Post.
‘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’
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
In ‘Still Wrestling,’ minister whose wife, son were slain explores faith, doubt
For Les Ferguson Jr., writing a book was a way to deal with his own hurt and pain — and help others, too. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle A double murder. A destroyed family. A shattered faith. After the tragic deaths of his wife and 21-year-old son in 2011, minister Les Ferguson Jr. struggled not to believe that God existed but that he cared. … Continue reading In ‘Still Wrestling,’ minister whose wife, son were slain explores faith, doubt
Two legacies, 50 years later
Marshall Keeble and Martin Luther King Jr. fought for ‘different things in different ages.’ By Hamil R. Harris and Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle Marshall Keeble was calling sinners home at a 1939 gospel meeting in Ridgely, Tenn., when a young white man approached him after the sermon. The renowned black evangelist reached out his hand, thinking this was one more soul ready … Continue reading Two legacies, 50 years later
Marshall Keeble’s ‘boy preachers’ still baptizing and saving souls
Famous traveling evangelist mentored many of the most influential African-American ministers in Churches of Christ. Third Place, Theme Issue, Section or Series, Associated Church Press By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle LOS ANGELES — In 1963, an 11-year-old named Dewayne Winrow preached at Southwestern Christian College’s annual Bible lectureship in Terrell, Texas. The boy’s message resonated with one notable person in the audience: Marshall … Continue reading Marshall Keeble’s ‘boy preachers’ still baptizing and saving souls
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 