Tag: human interest

Christian Chronicle, Religion News Service

Racial concerns prompt renaming of Christian university’s auditorium

Main chapel venue at Oklahoma Christian will honor Benton and Paula Baugh, major donors and Christians involved in racial unity efforts in Houston. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle OKLAHOMA CITY — After a half-century as Hardeman Auditorium, Oklahoma Christian University’s main assembly hall has a new name — a change spurred by concerns over a racist statement attributed to the former namesake. As hundreds of … Continue reading Racial concerns prompt renaming of Christian university’s auditorium

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Religion News Service

Pennsylvania prosecutor fights clergy sex abuse as she maintains Catholic faith

When local district attorney Kelly Callihan referred an abuse claim against her family’s erstwhile pastor to state authorities, she initiated a series of investigations that renewed the Catholic Church’s sexual abuse crisis nationwide. By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service EBENSBURG, Pa. — When allegations of past sexual abuse were first made against a priest at St. Clement Catholic Church in Johnstown, Pa., Cambria … Continue reading Pennsylvania prosecutor fights clergy sex abuse as she maintains Catholic faith

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

In border wall fight, compassion mixes with concern

By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle As a Christian, U.S. Rep. Brett Guthrie worships with a bilingual congregation that shares the Gospel with Spanish speakers and feeds the hungry without concern for immigration status. As a congressman, the Kentucky Republican points to a definite “crisis at the border” and supports President Donald Trump’s push to build a $5.7 billion wall separating the United States from Mexico. The 54-year-old … Continue reading In border wall fight, compassion mixes with concern

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
The Ross News

Year in review: My Top 10 most memorable stories of 2018

By Bobby Ross Jr.

My dream job would be pretty close to what I do right now: traveling all over the U.S. and even around the world to report the news.

I consider myself blessed to have enjoyed another (mostly) exciting year in journalism, including my full-time work with The Christian Chronicle and freelance gigs with media such as Religion News Service, The Washington Post and Christianity Today. (That’s not to mention my regular blogging for GetReligion.)

Since I love to look back and reflect, I compiled my Top 10 most memorable stories of 2018.

Here they are, in random order:

1. 25th anniversary of Waco inferno: I visited the Branch Davidian compound where David Koresh — leader of an apocalyptic religious sect known as the Branch Davidians — and 75 followers perished in a firestorm on April 19, 1993. My in-depth takeout for Religion News Service was picked up by USA Today. As part of that package, I did a Q&A with Bob Ricks, who was the face of the FBI during the Central Texas standoff — and whom I first interviewed a quarter-century earlier in the immediate wake of the siege.

Continue reading “Year in review: My Top 10 most memorable stories of 2018”
Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Religion News Service

How Kendra Horn turned Oklahoma’s 5th District blue for the first time in 44 years

Religion played a role as the 42-year-old Democrat pulled off one a major upset. By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service OKLAHOMA CITY — U.S. Rep.-elect Kendra Horn, D-Okla., knelt at the front of the sanctuary as the Rev. Joseph Alsay, rector of St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church, anointed her with chrism, a consecrated oil. “Kendra, may God bless you with enough … Continue reading How Kendra Horn turned Oklahoma’s 5th District blue for the first time in 44 years

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Religion News Service

‘Fixer Upper’ stars Chip and Joanna Gaines to host church for the homeless

By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service WACO, Texas — Tractor-trailer rigs roared overhead. Cigarette smoke wafted in the air as a praise band played drums and electric guitars on a stage set up amid tall concrete columns. On the Sunday (Nov. 18) before Thanksgiving, poor people riding bicycles and pushing old grocery carts lined up — as they do every week — … Continue reading ‘Fixer Upper’ stars Chip and Joanna Gaines to host church for the homeless

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

18 wheels and a heart to serve

After Hurricane Michael, a retired Christian steers a big rig full of food and emergency supplies to hard-hit Florida. First Place, Personality Article, Evangelical Press Association  First Place, Feature Article, Associated Church Press By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle PANAMA CITY, Fla. — In the dark, John Kincaid could see hints of the devastation in this seaside city. The downed tree limbs in every … Continue reading 18 wheels and a heart to serve

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Once-segregated Christian university targets racism with launch of new research center

Founding director urges churches to speak out against ‘situations that carry the foul scent of racial injustice.’ Third Place, Theme Issue, Section or Series, Associated Church Press By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ABILENE, Texas — In 1960, a professor named Carl Spain delivered an explosive Bible Lectureship sermon that reverberated far beyond what was known then as Abilene Christian College. In stark terms, Spain called … Continue reading Once-segregated Christian university targets racism with launch of new research center

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

In Dallas, Houston and elsewhere, Christians ask God to bring #Justice4Botham

Members of Churches of Christ celebrate the life of Botham Jean, who was shot to death 23 days before his 27th birthday. Second Place, In-Depth Coverage, Associated Church Press By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle DALLAS — “Praise as protest,” declared the bold letters on the T-shirt that Ashley Hawthorne sported at the Dallas County courts building this weekend. On a gloomy Saturday, clouds … Continue reading In Dallas, Houston and elsewhere, Christians ask God to bring #Justice4Botham

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.