Tag: human interest

Christian Chronicle

Faith through hearing — and signing — the Word

Deaf elder and his wife bridge cultural and language barriers. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle FAIRFAX, Va. — Sunday morning at the Fairfax Church of Christ finds elder Dennis Cesone and his wife, Cindi, in the foyer, greeting and encouraging fellow Christians. To a visitor, the couple’s friendliness and welcoming smiles are evident immediately. The fact both were born deaf is not. Related: Behind the scenes of this … Continue reading Faith through hearing — and signing — the Word

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle, Religion Unplugged

War at home: Former Army officer aids Texas massacre victims, seeks God’s healing

The nation’s latest mass shooting claimed eight lives — including three children — at a Dallas-area mall. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ALLEN, Texas — A female in the bushes still felt warm, but she had no pulse.  “There was no face,” Steven Spainhouer told The Christian Chronicle, his voice choking with emotion. “There was nothing left.” Spainhouer — a longtime member of The Branch Church of Christ in … Continue reading War at home: Former Army officer aids Texas massacre victims, seeks God’s healing

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle, Religion Unplugged

Prayer and protest: Nation’s latest mass shooting highlights competing messages

Eight people, including children, died in the massacre at a Texas outlet mall. By Bobby Ross Jr. ALLEN, Texas — “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” That passage from Psalm 34:18 was offered as comfort Sunday night as a megachurch two miles from the scene of the nation’s latest mass shooting hosted a community prayer service. … Continue reading Prayer and protest: Nation’s latest mass shooting highlights competing messages

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle, Religion Unplugged

‘God, we come with broken hearts’

Dallas-area church grapples with mass shooting in its ‘back yard.’ By Bobby Ross Jr. ALLEN, Texas — In America, mass shootings keep happening. The bloodshed has ravaged churches, schools, homes, offices and — just this weekend — a crowded outlet mall about 30 miles north of Dallas. Roughly 18 hours after eight people, including at least three children, were killed at Allen Premium Outlets in … Continue reading ‘God, we come with broken hearts’

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Associated Press, The Ross News

Father-and-son winners: Great Plains Journalism Awards presented

By Bobby Ross Jr. The Great Plains Journalism Awards, an eight-state regional honor presented by the Tulsa Press Club, were announced today. I was excited to win in the News Reporting (Outside the Region) category for my Associated Press story on churches rebuilding after a massive tornado struck Mayfield, Kentucky. The judges said of my story: “Deeply reported, very well-written, full of great voices and … Continue reading Father-and-son winners: Great Plains Journalism Awards presented

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle, Religion Unplugged

Bobby Ross Jr. earns two first-place awards, five other Associated Church Press honors

The Associated Church Press “Best of the Church Press Awards,” for content produced in 2022, were announced last week in Chicago. I was blessed to receive seven awards for stories I wrote for The Christian Chronicle and Religion Unplugged: • First Place, International Reporting (Short Format), for “In Alaska, a Russian-speaking church becomes a hub for helping Ukrainians” from Anchorage, Alaska. • First Place, Biographical Profile, for “She’s … Continue reading Bobby Ross Jr. earns two first-place awards, five other Associated Church Press honors

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
The Ross News

Thrill of Wrigleyville: Checking off the No. 1 ballpark on my bucket list

By Bobby Ross Jr. CHICAGO — I finally made it to Wrigleyville. For a long time, I’ve dreamed of seeing a game at Wrigley Field — the iconic ballpark with ivy-covered outfield walls that opened in 1914. I had experienced America’s favorite pastime at 19 of the 30 MLB stadiums, plus five former big-league fields (I’ll list all of them below). My family and I even … Continue reading Thrill of Wrigleyville: Checking off the No. 1 ballpark on my bucket list

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

In a Mexican resort city, Christians care for homeless ‘angels’

The rescued children aren’t the only ones blessed — so are the American supporters who keep returning. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle COZUMEL, Mexico — Scott Eller steered a rented Nissan March through this bustling Caribbean city as his wife, Andrea, talked about their “home away from home.” Driving away from the cruise ships and sandy beaches that draw thousands to Cozumel, Scott … Continue reading In a Mexican resort city, Christians care for homeless ‘angels’

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Religion Unplugged

God and pot: Both sides cite faith in Oklahoma’s recreational marijuana fight

By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged OKLAHOMA CITY — Michelle Tilley says faith drives everything she does, including her fight to legalize recreational marijuana in her home state. Baptized at age 7 in the First Baptist Church of Comanche, Oklahoma, the longtime Democratic political consultant leads a group that has raised $3.2 million in support of State Question 820, a pro-marijuana initiative that the state’s voters … Continue reading God and pot: Both sides cite faith in Oklahoma’s recreational marijuana fight

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.