Tag: human interest

Christian Chronicle

Serving amid COVID-19, husband and wife try to balance safety and compassion

He leads a disaster relief ministry. She works as an ICU nurse. Avoiding the coronavirus is a challenge. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle Hours after Easter Sunday tornadoes walloped the twin cities of Monroe and West Monroe in northeastern Louisiana, Ryan Lee came home from working with a chainsaw crew. The mask intended to protect him from the coronavirus dangled around his neck. … Continue reading Serving amid COVID-19, husband and wife try to balance safety and compassion

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Associated Press

25 years ago, a prayer service gave hope to a shaken America

By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Associated Press OKLAHOMA CITY — Search-and-rescue workers came straight from the blast site, hard hats atop their heads and mud and grime on their boots. Relatives of the missing joined loved ones of those already confirmed dead in holding teddy bears and wiping tears as this grieving heartland city — indeed, the entire shaken nation — came together to … Continue reading 25 years ago, a prayer service gave hope to a shaken America

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Oklahoman

Her 15-month-old daughter died in the OKC bombing, but she lived on

By Bobby Ross Jr. | For The Oklahoman MOORE, Okla. — I only met Deniece Bell once. Yet over the years, I often wondered what happened to her. At the 25th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, I decided to find out. In April 1995, I was a young reporter for The Oklahoman, working overtime with my newsroom colleagues to tell the biggest story of … Continue reading Her 15-month-old daughter died in the OKC bombing, but she lived on

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Forgiving Carla’s killers

Twenty-five years ago, a Harding University junior was raped and murdered. Her parents found peace by sharing their Christian faith with the men responsible. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle Easter Sunday 1995 was a beautiful day for Roy and Jeanie Willmon. Blue sky. Temperatures in the 70s. Their daughter, Carla, home for the weekend. The 20-year-old junior at Harding University in Searcy, Ark., … Continue reading Forgiving Carla’s killers

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

After tornado, a teen grieves her 4-year-old friend

‘You don’t ever think that’s the last time you’re going to see somebody,’ Izzy Stevens says. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — Just three nights before the unimaginable happened, Izzy Stevens, 17, laughed with her 4-year-old friend, Hattie Jo Collins, across a table at Pizza Hut. Hattie, known for her colorful headbands adorned with flowers, rainbows and unicorns, was the daughter of … Continue reading After tornado, a teen grieves her 4-year-old friend

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Volunteer State: Christians rally to help

After Tennessee’s deadly tornadoes, Churches of Christ play a leading role in the disaster relief effort. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — Mike Luke wore a bright orange “Disaster Assistance Church of Christ” T-shirt as he steered a four-wheel vehicle carrying food and supplies for tornado victims toward a ravaged neighborhood. Near a hill lined with 18 memorial crosses remembering victims of last … Continue reading Volunteer State: Christians rally to help

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

‘A hundred years goes faster than you think’

Visit to old family cemetery stirs fond memories and reflections. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle CEDAR GROVE, Tenn. — My dad, Bob Ross, bent down and brushed leaves off the flat grave marker so he could read the inscription. “Lloyd Lee Ross. Sgt US Army. World War II,” the writing said. “Bronze Star Medal. Purple Heart.” The dates, March 24, 1918, to April … Continue reading ‘A hundred years goes faster than you think’

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
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.