Tag: human interest

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.
Christian Chronicle

Protests and prayers

Christians respond to George Floyd’s death with outrage, rallies and calls for justice. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle Warren G. Blakney Sr.’s long fight for racial equality stretches back to 1961. At age 9, Blakney met civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and passed out voter registration handbills door to door. “I saw a lot of things,” said the … Continue reading Protests and prayers

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Retired MLB slugger and his wife are on a mission for God

Josh and Ginger Willingham lead a program to feed hungry children in their Alabama hometown. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle FLORENCE, Ala. — Josh Willingham stayed up most of the night praying. After going to the World Series with the Kansas City Royals in 2014, the 35-year-old slugger had a decision to make. A difficult one. The 11-year major-league veteran could play another season … Continue reading Retired MLB slugger and his wife are on a mission for God

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
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.