A special mission for the military: Ministries that focus on service personnel convene
By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Lewis Holston serves as a loadmaster on planes that drop paratroopers and cargo into combat zones. On a recent six-month deployment to a remote hotspot, Holston — a deacon of the WindSong Church of Christ in North Little Rock, Ark. — searched for fellow Christians with whom to worship. Dennis Saucier, director … Continue reading A special mission for the military: Ministries that focus on service personnel convene
In Canada, seeking redemption for a long, dark chapter
Ministry strives to overcome — and atone for — nation’s 120-year history of snatching indigenous children from their parents. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle DAUPHIN, Manitoba — The boy felt nauseous. A knot gripped him in the pit of his stomach. He couldn’t explain the feeling, but it overcame him each time he walked into the long, rectangular building. Nearly four decades … Continue reading In Canada, seeking redemption for a long, dark chapter
Memorial Day reading: Five stories of American military heroes
As a journalist, I’ve reported on numerous soldiers who died fighting for their country.
On this Memorial Day, here are five stories (out of many) of American military heroes who served and sacrificed.
• • •
1.
• 2004 — Patriotism, sense of duty bind WWII veteran, Army son killed in Iraq
By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Associated Press
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Esequiel Perez never bragged about his service in World War II. If anything, the soft-spoken veteran downplayed his role.
“I didn’t go into too much combat or anything,” the 77-year-old says.
Yet his children – Yolanda, Rosa Anna, Sandra, Joel, Debra, Hector and Zeke – grew up knowing that their father had done his part to defend the world, and why.
In the Perez family, soldiers’ sacrifice was honored and the nation’s freedom celebrated. Memorial Day and the Fourth of July were times for reverence. When the children erected a flag pole in the front yard, Esequiel welcomed it – but warned that the stars and stripes must not ever touch the ground and should be lighted if flown at night.
“That’s how proud my dad is of this country,” said Rosa Anna Garza, 48.
He also wanted an easier life for his children than he had – he still has nightmares involving foxholes, and blames grenades for his hearing problems – so he never pushed them to join the military.
For No. 6 child Hector, though, the Army beckoned.
• • •
Continue reading “Memorial Day reading: Five stories of American military heroes”
In America, cremations now outnumber burials — what’s religion got to do with it?
By Bobby Ross Jr. | GetReligion
My hippie wannabe wife insists that she wants to be cremated when she dies.
“I think it’s environmentally friendly,” my bride tells me. “Countless acres are filled up with remains inside caskets.
“Plus, it will allow me to spare you guys a lot of expense and possibly trauma and heartache,” she adds.
Rather than be buried in a cemetery, Tamie says she wants to be “mixed in with the roots of a tree and planted in the mountains in the breathtakingly beautiful area where six generations of my family have made memories together. I think it would be nice to contribute to nature rather than be a burden on it.”
Well, alrighty.
As for me, I want to be dressed in my Sunday best and await the resurrection with what’s left of my skin and bones fully intact. I don’t like flames. So it sounds like my wife of 27 years and I will — at some point hopefully many years in the future — spend the first part of eternity apart.
In all seriousness, we are both people of strong Christian faith — but we come down on different sides of the cremation vs. burial question.
I bring up the topic because of a fascinating Pittsburgh Post-Gazette story this week that noted cremation is becoming the new norm in America.
• • •
All of my GetReligion columns (June 2017):
Continue reading “In America, cremations now outnumber burials — what’s religion got to do with it?”
Before baby bird leaves the nest, a trip to remember
A father and soon-to-fly-away daughter enjoy a travel adventure north of the U.S. border. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle TORONTO — “A six-hour layover, eh?” I posted that wisecrack on Facebook as my 17-year-old daughter, Kendall, and I awaited a connecting flight. It was early afternoon on a snowy, late winter day at Toronto Pearson International Airport. My youngest child and I were in … Continue reading Before baby bird leaves the nest, a trip to remember
‘Join in with us to save Southwestern,’ prays new president of historically black Christian college
Terrell, Texas, institution works to overcome declining enrollment and beleaguered finances. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle After nearly half a century with Jack Evans at the helm, Southwestern Christian College — the only historically black higher education institution associated with Churches of Christ — has a new president. Ervin D. Seamster Jr., senior minister for the 450-member Light of the World Church of Christ in … Continue reading ‘Join in with us to save Southwestern,’ prays new president of historically black Christian college
Bible Belt state with nation’s highest execution rate considers death penalty flaws
The Oklahoma Death Penalty Review Commission recommends that the moratorium on the death penalty be extended. Third Place, Criminal Justice Reporting, Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service OKLAHOMA CITY (RNS) Most Oklahomans believe the devil is real. State Rep. Mike Ritze thinks that’s why they overwhelmingly support capital punishment, despite highly publicized problems with lethal-injection drugs that prompted state … Continue reading Bible Belt state with nation’s highest execution rate considers death penalty flaws
One church’s ‘compassionate and Christ-like’ approach to the opioid crisis
Amid national drug epidemic, Connecticut’s largest congregation joins its community’s fight. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle Connecticut’s opioid crisis — part of a national epidemic — claimed more than 900 lives last year. “That is about three times more than the number who will die in car accidents and about six times more than will die from gun violence,” said Deirdre Daly, U.S. Attorney for the District … Continue reading One church’s ‘compassionate and Christ-like’ approach to the opioid crisis
Ph.D. optional: Why a Christian university with doctoral programs chose a preacher president
With the selection of minister David Shannon, Freed-Hardeman trustees emphasize spiritual leadership, communications skills and connections with Churches of Christ. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle When trustees of Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tenn., first identified preacher David Shannon as a candidate for the Christian university’s presidency, a key alumnus voiced concern about Shannon’s lack of academic credentials and higher education experience. That … Continue reading Ph.D. optional: Why a Christian university with doctoral programs chose a preacher president
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 