Tag: human interest

Christian Chronicle, Religion News Service

At 87, ‘disaster deacon’ opens his heart — and church — to flooding victims

Widower’s work with Red Cross emergency shelter is ‘an inspiration to many.’ By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle TULSA, Okla. — Oh, Kenneth Hearrell has stories to tell. About how he rode a horse five miles to his two-room schoolhouse from first through fourth grades. About how he used a homemade rowboat to drive cattle to dry land after a big rain swamped the … Continue reading At 87, ‘disaster deacon’ opens his heart — and church — to flooding victims

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

To Botham Jean’s parents, shooting still feels ‘as if it just happened’

Bertrum and Allison Jean reflect on their emotional journey as racial unity summit and mission trip pay tribute to slain son. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle DALLAS — The nightmare never goes away. Almost nine months have passed since Amber Guyger, an off-duty Dallas police officer still in uniform, entered Botham Shem Jean’s fourth-floor apartment and opened fire, killing the beloved song leader and Bible … Continue reading To Botham Jean’s parents, shooting still feels ‘as if it just happened’

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Special report from Jerusalem: Is the Holy Land the Promised Land?

Leading evangelical supporters of President Trump tout the modern state of Israel as a fulfillment of biblical prophecy. Scholars in Churches of Christ take a different view. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle JERUSALEM — To prominent evangelical allies of President Donald Trump, “the Lord is at work” in the administration’s high-profile backing of Israel. From moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem to recognizing … Continue reading Special report from Jerusalem: Is the Holy Land the Promised Land?

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

In Israel, a missile attack and a monk stir reflection

Project Interchange experience fosters better understanding of Middle East issues, but answers remain elusive. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle JERUSALEM — After a busy day that included a tour of a high-tech company in Ramallah, West Bank, and a visit to the Western Wall in Jerusalem’s Old City, I was wrapping up dinner when my phone pinged. “Your mom just called super worried,” … Continue reading In Israel, a missile attack and a monk stir reflection

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

Bobby Ross Jr.’s profile of disaster relief truck driver wins first in two national contests

By Bobby Ross Jr. OKLAHOMA CITY — After Hurricane Michael last year, I rode along with a disaster relief truck driver taking emergency supplies from Nashville, Tenn., to hard-hit Panama City, Fla. My “18 wheels and a heart to serve” piece earned a first-place award for personality article at the Evangelical Press Association’s annual convention this week. (UPDATE: The same story won first place for … Continue reading Bobby Ross Jr.’s profile of disaster relief truck driver wins first in two national contests

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
The Ross News

My trip to Israel with American Jewish Committee’s Project Interchange

I traveled to Israel last week with a delegation of 13 U.S. religion journalists.I received a fellowship through the American Jewish Committee’s Project Interchange. That program aims to enhance participants’ understanding of the Middle East and provoke thought on tough questions. For me, it certainly did. I’ll be writing more about what I learned. For now, here are a few social media posts that offer … Continue reading My trip to Israel with American Jewish Committee’s Project Interchange

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

In-depth exclusive: A perpetrator in the pews

Former youth minister’s presence at worship stirs discord in Pennsylvania congregation. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle UNIONTOWN, Pa. — After a longtime youth minister’s recent conviction on corruption of minors and indecent exposure charges, a judge in this western Pennsylvania community did what the Uniontown Church of Christ’s elders refused to do. The judge told Clyde E. Brothers Jr. to stay away from … Continue reading In-depth exclusive: A perpetrator in the pews

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
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.