After devastating fire, St. Louis church refuses to lose hope
Missouri congregation that ‘lost everything’ keeps letting its light shine as it seeks God’s guidance — and funding. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ST. LOUIS — A fire destroyed the leased storefront facility where the St. Louis Metropolitan Church of Christ met for more than a decade. But amid the charred debris, an imprint of a cross remained on a wall — … Continue reading After devastating fire, St. Louis church refuses to lose hope
After Orlando, Christians eager to learn more about jihad and ordinary Muslims
In the Florida city where the nation’s worst mass shooting occurred, sessions on ‘Understanding Islam’ draw crowds. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ORLANDO, Fla. —Months ago, organizers of a biennial Christian conference in Florida invited longtime minister James Moore to speak on “Understanding Islam.” Interest in the subject intensified, though, after a gunman who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State terrorist group … Continue reading After Orlando, Christians eager to learn more about jihad and ordinary Muslims
In Orlando, a call for more openness, less fear
After gay nightclub massacre, showing love to LGBT community a focus at Christian conference. Second Place, In-Depth Reporting, Associated Church Press By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ORLANDO, Fla. — Sally Gary couldn’t come to Orlando and fail to visit the site of the gay nightclub massacre where 49 people died. The founder of CenterPeace, a Dallas-based ministry that provides support and resources … Continue reading In Orlando, a call for more openness, less fear
A church makes a special connection with an Orlando victim’s family
How a New Jersey congregation came to bless a grieving mother who lost her son in the nation’s worst mass shooting. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ORLANDO, Fla. — “It’s been a while, man,” said my friend Jose Luis Cintrón, who lives in Fort Worth, Texas. Thirty years, to be exact. Sadly, I called after all these years because my friend just … Continue reading A church makes a special connection with an Orlando victim’s family
After a deadly week, a somber Sunday for Dallas churches
Christians look to God for comfort and guidance after a sniper kills five police officers. Third Place, In-Depth Reporting, Associated Church Press (part of a series of stories on police shootings, racial unrest and the church) By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle DALLAS — A young mother on her way into worship hugged a Dallas police officer providing parking lot security at the … Continue reading After a deadly week, a somber Sunday for Dallas churches
Best of GetReligion: July 2016
Links to columns by Bobby Ross Jr. After a home run, a baseball player looks to the sky — might something religious be occurring? Published July 1. On the day after Fourth of July, four Godbeat developments you’ll want to know about. Published July 5. No religion angle as ChristianMingle.com opens website to gay singles? Really!? Published July 6. They’re praying, singing after Alton Sterling shooting. But … Continue reading Best of GetReligion: July 2016
Christian universities put on ‘shame list’
Gay-rights organizations target federal funding and NCAA ties of schools with traditional biblical beliefs. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle Revoke Christian universities’ eligibility for federal student financial aid. Strip their membership in the National Collegiate Athletic Association. That’s what major gay-rights groups would like to do with higher education schools that espouse traditional biblical beliefs on sexuality and gender identity. “Some voices … Continue reading Christian universities put on ‘shame list’
Christians sing, pray at memorial site after Orlando massacre
By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle After Sunday’s terrorist attack on a gay nightclub claimed the lives of 49 souls, a dozen members of three Orlando, Fla.-area Churches of Christ brought flowers — and prayers — to a memorial site for the victims. “Together we #prayforOrlando,” said a poster signed by members of one of those congregations, the Concord Street Church of Christ. … Continue reading Christians sing, pray at memorial site after Orlando massacre
‘We really want to be there for people who are victimized’
By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Lately, Kathy Hargis can’t turn on the television news without seeing another report of a sexual assault on a university campus. From the case of a former Stanford University swimmer who attacked an unconscious woman near a dumpster to the furor over Baylor University’s mishandling of rape allegations against football players, the issue has … Continue reading ‘We really want to be there for people who are victimized’
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 