Sierra Shields’ loved ones keep praying, sharing her story

  Sierra Shields’ loved ones keep praying, sharing her story (reporting from Rochester Hills, Mich.): Disappearance of 2009 Rochester College graduate remains a mystery. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. — “Our sweet Sierra, come home.” That’s the message on the whiteboard outside Chris Shields II’s office at Rochester College on a recent weekday morning. The 34-year-old father of three … Continue reading Sierra Shields’ loved ones keep praying, sharing her story

Preach it, Teech: Minister mixes God, hip-hop

Preach it, Teech (reporting from Santa Ana, Calif.): For California minister, rap music is a way to reach a new generation. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle SANTA ANA, Calif. — As Jason “Teech” Darden grabs a microphone, loud music pulsates. The audience — a group of urban students invited to a Saturday mentoring event — cheers as Darden begins to rap. “Turn it … Continue reading Preach it, Teech: Minister mixes God, hip-hop

Best of GetReligion: February 2016

Links to columns by Bobby Ross Jr. When real life imitates The Onion: Welcome to the Stoner Jesus Bible Study in Colorado. Published Feb. 1. Evangelicals in Iowa: Making sense of what happened in the first voting of 2016. Published Feb. 2. Oklahoma is contemplating a ‘sin tax’ on cigarettes, but no one’s calling it that. Published Feb. 3. Huffington Post losing its religion: What’s up … Continue reading Best of GetReligion: February 2016

God in the rubble: Houses, lives lost in Texas twisters

‘This world is not our home,’ says family that lost house in Texas twister. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ROWLETT, Texas — Rain poured on Mike Patterson. The Texas church member stood by the cozy fireplace where he used to glance out the window and enjoy God’s creation. Now, crumbled bricks, broken glass and sticky yellow insulation surrounded him as he stared … Continue reading God in the rubble: Houses, lives lost in Texas twisters

January 2016: GetReligion

Links to columns by Bobby Ross Jr. Anti-Muslim backlash strikes again: Media can’t help falling in love with circumstantial evidence. Published Jan. 4. Man walks into church with assault rifle and ammo: He finds Jesus, but something’s missing. Published Jan. 5. An accused priest, a long-suffering victim: The hero in this sad tale is … a journalist. Published Jan. 6. God in the rubble: Looking for … Continue reading January 2016: GetReligion

Ten stories that inspired me — and hopefully you — during 2015

Ten stories that inspired me — and hopefully you — during 2015: These Christians and congregations demonstrated faith, hope and love. I am blessed. As chief correspondent for The Christian Chronicle, I am privileged to tell the stories of Christians living out their faith — often under difficult circumstances. Over the last decade, my travels with the Chronicle have taken me to 48 states (I’ll make … Continue reading Ten stories that inspired me — and hopefully you — during 2015

From daughter to caretaker

Role reversal draws one woman closer to her parents — and to God.  First Place, Feature Article, Associated Church Press By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle SYLACAUGA, Ala. — The little girl tugged at her father’s leg. “Don’t go, Daddy,” she begged. “Don’t go.” Jack Zorn — known to generations in Churches of Christ as “The Man in the Red Jacket” who founded … Continue reading From daughter to caretaker