Tag: human interest

Christian Chronicle, Religion Unplugged

Why Texas minister talked to me — and only me — about deadly church shooting

Editor’s note: Today we launch “Weekend Plug-In,” a column by veteran religion writer Bobby Ross Jr. Look every Friday for analysis, insights and top headlines from the world of faith. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged WHITE SETTLEMENT, Texas — A few minutes after noon Sunday, my iPhone started pinging with messages from friends, alerting me to a shooting at the West Freeway Church … Continue reading Why Texas minister talked to me — and only me — about deadly church shooting

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle, Christianity Today, Religion News Service

Texas church grieves, prays, sings after deadly shooting

A day after two members were killed during the Lord’s Supper, congregation gathers to reflect and praise God. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle WHITE SETTLEMENT, Texas — The West Freeway Church of Christ, a close-knit congregation of about 280, didn’t get to finish its Sunday morning worship assembly. So Monday night — roughly 30 hours after a gunman killed two beloved Christians during the Lord’s Supper … Continue reading Texas church grieves, prays, sings after deadly shooting

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Texas minister reflects on shooting that shattered his congregation’s peace

Preacher Britt Farmer lost his best friend in the Sunday attack at a Church of Christ near Fort Worth. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle WHITE SETTLEMENT, Texas — Britt Farmer had his head down, focusing on the sermon he was about to preach. That’s when the 60-year-old minister heard a gasp, followed by gunshots and screaming at the West Freeway Church of Christ. “I … Continue reading Texas minister reflects on shooting that shattered his congregation’s peace

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Decade in review: Christian Chronicle’s 10 biggest stories of the 2010s

From racial reconciliation to declining membership, these headlines captured readers attention. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle What a decade! The 2010s saw the invention of the iPad, three more “Star Wars” movies (although I still haven’t seen the 1977 original) and my beloved Texas Rangers’ first-ever World Series appearances (spoiler alert: They didn’t win). Here at The Christian Chronicle, the last 10 years brought inspiring narratives from places such as Deadwood, S.D.; Wasilla, Alaska; Providence, … Continue reading Decade in review: Christian Chronicle’s 10 biggest stories of the 2010s

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle, Christianity Today, Religion News Service

From global justice champion to Christian university president

A Ugandan teenager imprisoned on false murder charges. An American law professor inspired to follow God’s calling. The story behind a life-changing meeting, an African nation’s reforms and Pepperdine’s surprising choice. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle MALIBU, Calif. — A few hours after Jim Gash’s inauguration this fall as Pepperdine University’s eighth president, his wife, Joline, showed up at her husband’s fourth-floor executive … Continue reading From global justice champion to Christian university president

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Guilty and forgiven

Botham Jean’s brother extends grace to fired officer convicted of murdering his loved one. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle SEARCY, Ark. — A stunned silence fell over the daily chapel service at Harding University, where police shooting victim Botham Shem Jean, 26, earned his accounting degree and was known for his singing voice and dedication to his faith. Thousands of the Christian university’s students had just watched … Continue reading Guilty and forgiven

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Bobby Ross Jr. wins RNA Award for Religion Reporting Excellence

By Bobby Ross Jr. LAS VEGAS — The Religion News Association presented the 2019 Awards for Religion Reporting Excellence at its annual convention this past weekend. I was honored to receive third place for reporting at magazines and non-daily newspapers. Emma Green of The Atlantic won first place, while Tiffany Stanley of the Washington Post Magazine earned second place. My entry portfolio included these three … Continue reading Bobby Ross Jr. wins RNA Award for Religion Reporting Excellence

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

In new memoir, Randy Travis goes ‘diggin’ up bones’

Country star baptized in a Church of Christ reflects on his spiritual highs and soul-wrenching lows. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle And it was down with the old man, up with the new. Raised to walk in the way of light and truth. I didn’t see no angels, just a few saints on the shore. But I felt like a newborn baby, … Continue reading In new memoir, Randy Travis goes ‘diggin’ up bones’

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle, Religion News Service

In New Mexico town, single parents get free rent, benefits — if they’ll go to church

Faith-based program ties opportunities to behavior. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle PORTALES, N.M. — Biatriz Larez knows what it’s like to struggle to feed her family. A few years ago, the single mother and her three young children made do in a crumbling, two-bedroom mobile home. She worked an hourly, low-wage job as a custodian. “It was paycheck-to-paycheck living,” said Larez, who was born … Continue reading In New Mexico town, single parents get free rent, benefits — if they’ll go to church

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.