Christian Chronicle again wins top national prize, plus four first-place honors for my stories
CHICAGO — For the fourth year in a row, The Christian Chronicle — where I serve as chief correspondent — was recognized as the top national or international newspaper in the Associated Church Press’ annual “Best of the Church Press” contest. I was blessed to receive six individual honors — including first place in four categories — at the April 20 awards banquet. In case … Continue reading Christian Chronicle again wins top national prize, plus four first-place honors for my stories
‘Jesus loves me and my guns’: Faith and firearms touted at the NRA’s prayer breakfast
By Bobby Ross Jr. | For The Washington Post DALLAS — Midway through his 15-minute testimony at the National Rifle Association’s annual prayer breakfast Sunday, retired major league first baseman Adam LaRoche took off his sweater. Underneath, LaRoche — who hit 255 home runs in a 12-year career — sported a black T-shirt with a message that drew cheers from the firearms-friendly crowd of about 1,300. “Jesus … Continue reading ‘Jesus loves me and my guns’: Faith and firearms touted at the NRA’s prayer breakfast
He’s a major-league pitcher — and a plumber — whose faith helps keep him focused
Detroit Tigers ace Michael Fulmer works as a plumber in the offseason and serves as a mentor for adults with developmental disabilities. By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service ARLINGTON, Texas — It’s not hard to stay humble when you’re unclogging a toilet. Or when you’re throwing gopher balls to Miracle League ballplayers swinging for the fences. At least that’s how Detroit Tigers … Continue reading He’s a major-league pitcher — and a plumber — whose faith helps keep him focused
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
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 