In red-state Oklahoma, marijuana ballot question splits people of faith

Oklahoma residents grapple with faith, legalizing medical marijuana. @washingtonpost version of my @RNS story on State Question 788 https://t.co/hmmIRp7xzJ — Bobby Ross Jr. (@bobbyross) June 10, 2018 Clergy on both sides of State Question 788, which would permit the distribution of medical marijuana, call it a moral issue. By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service OKLAHOMA CITY — As Presbyterian minister Bobby Griffith … Continue reading In red-state Oklahoma, marijuana ballot question splits people of faith

1,000 wells around the world

A Tennessee-based ministry that drills for clean drinking water in Haiti and other nations hits a major milestone. Second Place, Feature Article, Evangelical Press Association By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle AKDESÉ, Haiti — In this remote mountain village, water gushes from a well drilled by Healing Hands International. As one woman pumps the handle, another gleefully splashes the clear, flowing liquid on her … Continue reading 1,000 wells around the world

In Haiti, a calling — and a baby

When an infant’s mother died, missionaries from Kentucky suddenly found themselves with a new member of the family. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle TITANYEN, Haiti — Ten days after Jason and Jennifer Carroll began Christian missionary work in this Caribbean island nation in 2014, they got an unexpected gift: a newborn boy. The mother of an infant named Edyson — “Edy” for short … Continue reading In Haiti, a calling — and a baby

Best Reporter winner: Bobby Ross Jr. honored by Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists

TULSA, Okla. — I was honored May 19 to win second place for “Best Reporter” from the Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists. The award recognized my 2017 stories on Syrian refugees in Canada, the 50th anniversary of the Detroit race riot, Hurricane Harvey disaster relief, a woman who confessed to murder after her baptism and a prom for special-needs teens and adults. Jennifer Palmer of Oklahoma … Continue reading Best Reporter winner: Bobby Ross Jr. honored by Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists

Minister ‘Still Wrestling’ with his faith after murder of his wife and son

“There were mighty dark days,” recalls Les Ferguson Jr., author of a new book exploring the doubt that consumed him. By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service JACKSON, Miss. — In a few weeks, Les Ferguson Jr. will move on from the pulpit at Lake Harbour Church of Christ in Ridgeland, Miss., just north of Jackson, to a new position in Oxford, home to “Ole … Continue reading Minister ‘Still Wrestling’ with his faith after murder of his wife and son

Christian Chronicle again wins top national prize, plus four first-place honors for my stories

CHICAGO — For the fourth year in a row, The Christian Chronicle — where I serve as chief correspondent — was recognized as the top national or international newspaper in the Associated Church Press’ annual “Best of the Church Press” contest. I was blessed to receive six individual honors — including first place in four categories — at the April 20 awards banquet. In case … Continue reading Christian Chronicle again wins top national prize, plus four first-place honors for my stories

‘Jesus loves me and my guns’: Faith and firearms touted at the NRA’s prayer breakfast

By Bobby Ross Jr. | For The Washington Post DALLAS — Midway through his 15-minute testimony at the National Rifle Association’s annual prayer breakfast Sunday, retired major league first baseman Adam LaRoche took off his sweater. Underneath, LaRoche — who hit 255 home runs in a 12-year career — sported a black T-shirt with a message that drew cheers from the firearms-friendly crowd of about 1,300. “Jesus … Continue reading ‘Jesus loves me and my guns’: Faith and firearms touted at the NRA’s prayer breakfast

He’s a major-league pitcher — and a plumber — whose faith helps keep him focused

Detroit Tigers ace Michael Fulmer works as a plumber in the offseason and serves as a mentor for adults with developmental disabilities. By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service ARLINGTON, Texas — It’s not hard to stay humble when you’re unclogging a toilet. Or when you’re throwing gopher balls to Miracle League ballplayers swinging for the fences. At least that’s how Detroit Tigers … Continue reading He’s a major-league pitcher — and a plumber — whose faith helps keep him focused

From Vietnam to Kenya, two boys’ lives touched by God

How an 11-year-old came to donate ‘the biggest gift’ ever received by a California church. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle MALIBU, Calif. — A little boy from Vietnam. A little boy from Kenya. This is the story of how one of those boys — all grown up — paid forward his blessings from God. The recipient of that boy’s extreme gratitude? The … Continue reading From Vietnam to Kenya, two boys’ lives touched by God