Tag: human interest

Associated Press, Christian Chronicle, Oklahoman, Religion Unplugged, The Ross News

Year in review: My Top 10 most memorable stories of 2020

By Bobby Ross Jr. A church shooting. Deadly twisters. Racial justice protests. And the biggest news in this tumultuous year: COVID-19. These were among the most memorable stories that I covered in 2020. Here is my personal year-end Top 10 list, mostly in chronological order: • Texas church shooting: A gunman opened fire at the West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement, Texas, killing … Continue reading Year in review: My Top 10 most memorable stories of 2020

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Christian astronaut — and his communion cups — lifting off on space mission

Victor Glover will rely on his Bible and prayer to help with isolation at the International Space Station. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle Online worship during the COVID-19 pandemic has helped prepare Victor Glover for a long-awaited work trip. Where Glover is going — 250 miles above Earth to the International Space Station — there is no physical church building. “I actually sent up … Continue reading Christian astronaut — and his communion cups — lifting off on space mission

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle, The Ross News

An eternal difference

Fifty years after the White’s Ferry Road School of Preaching’s founding, its legacy endures. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle I remember the pink JOY buses that brought all the little children — “red and yellow, black and white” — to worship. I remember the campaigns where we passed out gospel flyers during the day and sang verse after verse of “Just As … Continue reading An eternal difference

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

‘Zoombombing’ lesson: Racist attack on church highlights online security concerns

A North Carolina congregation wanted to be seeker friendly during COVID-19, but then came internet trolls hurling slurs. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle Even as her home congregation worships virtually, Nikki Murphy still likes to dress up for the Sunday service. On a typical Lord’s Day during the COVID-19 pandemic, her sister Jamie Gadson comes over. The two put on makeup before connecting the … Continue reading ‘Zoombombing’ lesson: Racist attack on church highlights online security concerns

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Why these 21st century David Lipscombs won’t vote for Trump or Biden

Turned off by divisive politics, some Christians see wisdom in the late Gospel Advocate editor’s hands-off approach to government. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle David Lipscomb, an influential leader in Churches of Christ from the Civil War until World War I, urged Christians to refrain from voting and participation in civil government. More than a century after the Tennessee preacher’s death, his approach to Caesar … Continue reading Why these 21st century David Lipscombs won’t vote for Trump or Biden

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

An emotional return

Worship center reopens at site of deadly Texas church shooting. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle Visible scars were gone — the bullet holes, the bloodstained carpet — as the West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement, Texas, made an emotional return to its worship center Sunday. Eight months after a gunman opened fire during the Lord’s Supper, new blue-cushioned pews, reconfigured walls and a lowered ceiling … Continue reading An emotional return

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Family who survived Katrina by escaping to church balcony marks storm’s 15th anniversary

God used the 2005 hurricane, the Marsalises believe, to prepare them for what came next. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle NEW ORLEANS — Even a decade and a half after the storm, Angela Marsalis still prefers to avoid the subject of Hurricane Katrina. “I guess it feels like I’m still not ready to deal with it, even though I know all the … Continue reading Family who survived Katrina by escaping to church balcony marks storm’s 15th anniversary

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Ousted by Democrats, anti-abortion preacher runs as independent in Tennessee

After 26 years in office, lawmaker faces the fight of his political life. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle As a teen, longtime Tennessee state Rep. John DeBerry Jr. integrated an all-White high school and witnessed civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr.’s final speech before his 1968 assassination. To supporters, DeBerry — a 69-year-old Black preacher from Memphis — is a man of … Continue reading Ousted by Democrats, anti-abortion preacher runs as independent in Tennessee

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

History repeats: Civil rights hero’s great-grandson shows courage

Texas youth group member stands up for friend called the N-word. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle In 1957, the white mayor of Little Rock, Ark., showed courage by standing up for nine black students trying to integrate Central High School. Defying segregationist Gov. Orval Faubus and an angry white mob, Mayor Woodrow Wilson Mann urged President Dwight D. Eisenhower to send U.S. soldiers to quell the … Continue reading History repeats: Civil rights hero’s great-grandson shows courage

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.