Tag: human interest

Christian Chronicle, Religion Unplugged

Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists honors Bobby Ross Jr. with five awards

LAWTON, Okla. — I’ve been blessed to win a number of awards from the Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists over the last 30 years. In 2021, I was surprised to win the first-place prize for best reporter. This past weekend, I was honored to place in five categories in the 2022 awards, given for work produced last year. The winners were announced in a ceremony … Continue reading Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists honors Bobby Ross Jr. with five awards

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

In Texas, CEO leads Christian Care Centers through bankruptcy and sale

For a 75-year-old senior living ministry associated with Churches of Christ, COVID-19 problems accelerated financial difficulties. By Bobby Ross Jr. and Natalie Walters | The Christian Chronicle MESQUITE, Texas — In telling her life story, Sabrina Porter starts with her troubled childhood. She recounts the sexual abuse she endured from age 4 until she turned 11. “I didn’t know God,” she said. “I grew up in a … Continue reading In Texas, CEO leads Christian Care Centers through bankruptcy and sale

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Associated Press

Amid crises, rural roots anchor Southern Baptists’ president

By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Associated Press FARMERSVILLE, Texas — On the first Saturday of fall, a sweating Bart Barber trekked across a weedy pasture in search of Bully Graham, the would-be patriarch of the rural Baptist pastor’s fledgling cattle herd. With the afternoon temperature in the mid-90s, the 52-year-old Texan found the bull — whose nickname reflects his owner’s deep affection for the late … Continue reading Amid crises, rural roots anchor Southern Baptists’ president

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

In Georgia county with history of racial violence, Christians seek unity

‘It’s mentally hard for a lot of folks to cross that county line,’ Black minister says. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle CUMMING, Ga. — Kelvin Teamer stood on the stage of the Grace Chapel Church of Christ and marveled at the crowd. In this small town about 40 miles northeast of Atlanta, about 600 Christians — Black, White and Hispanic — filled the pews for a … Continue reading In Georgia county with history of racial violence, Christians seek unity

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Associated Press

At 50, TV’s ‘The Waltons’ still stirs fans’ love, nostalgia

By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Associated Press The Rev. Matt Curry’s parents were children of the Great Depression, just like “The Waltons” — the beloved TV family whose prime-time series premiered 50 years ago. When Curry was growing up on a farm in northern Texas, his carpenter father and teacher mother often argued playfully over who had a poorer childhood. “The Depression was the seminal … Continue reading At 50, TV’s ‘The Waltons’ still stirs fans’ love, nostalgia

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Pandemic and politics exacerbate challenges facing an Ohio church

The congregation’s experience reflects ‘the emotional tension that seems to be really big in the country as a whole.’ By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle MARYSVILLE, Ohio — This one-time farm town about 30 miles northwest of Columbus is booming. The century-old Marysville Church of Christ is not. Even before the pandemic, the congregation in central Ohio struggled to increase its flock, much less match the area’s … Continue reading Pandemic and politics exacerbate challenges facing an Ohio church

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

A heavenly day at the ballpark

Stranger’s kindness makes granddaughter’s first Texas Rangers game even more memorable. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ARLINGTON, Texas — In my family, births, weddings and baptisms count as major milestones. So does one’s first time to attend a Texas Rangers game. I’ve followed Rangers baseball — through pulse-pounding wins and heart-wrenching losses — for 40 years. I still chuckle at the intro to his devo No. 60 … Continue reading A heavenly day at the ballpark

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Tears at a military church

Congregation that trains members for service around the world honors its retiring minister. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — Fifty years after preaching his first sermon, Ron Edwards jokes that he knows the secret to ministry. Change churches every three years. Actually, Edwards — who is retiring from full-time preaching — spent the past 37 years serving the Roosevelt Drive Church of Christ in … Continue reading Tears at a military church

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

‘We only need one to live’

Desperate to save a beloved older member, a church ran an ad seeking a kidney donor. A thousand miles away, a young believer felt God prick her heart. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle NEW BERN, N.C. — Sam Birmingham needed a kidney. He desperately needed a kidney. His quality of life — his life itself — depended on it.  But the longtime Christian, who had … Continue reading ‘We only need one to live’

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.