Tag: human interest

Religion News Service

Closing doors: Small religious colleges struggle for survival

By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service SHAWNEE, Okla. — Duncan Tiemeyer chose St. Gregory’s University because he wanted a faith-based education that would teach him more than how to succeed in a career. The 550-student Catholic liberal arts college in Oklahoma traces its roots to French monks who moved to Indian Territory in 1875, intent on developing the bodies, minds and souls of … Continue reading Closing doors: Small religious colleges struggle for survival

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Texas hero risked life to save others

With the death toll at 26, Stephen Willeford confronted — and shot — the Sutherland Springs gunman. Third Place, In-depth Coverage, Associated Church Press By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle Heroes need prayers, too. Stephen Willeford — the Texan who confronted and shot the gunman who killed 26 people at a rural Baptist church Sunday — could use a bunch of prayers, his close friend John Wood … Continue reading Texas hero risked life to save others

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

18 vans, 150 volunteers, 465 miles, one goal: to help Harvey victims

‘These people are amazing,’ says an Iranian immigrant grateful for the love shown after his family’s home flooded. First Place, In-depth Coverage, Associated Church Press Second Place, Best Reporter portfolio, Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle HOUSTON — The homeowner was shirtless and sweating. He was still angry — he admitted that much — over the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey two months … Continue reading 18 vans, 150 volunteers, 465 miles, one goal: to help Harvey victims

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

For survivors of Tennessee church shooting, healing will take time and patience

‘You don’t ever get over those things. You just learn how to get through them,’ says a minister familiar with tragedy. First Place, News Story, Associated Church Press By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle The gunman took the love of Mavy Stoddard’s life. She refused to let him take her hope. “God’s been good to me,” said Stoddard, whose husband, Dorwan, 76, died … Continue reading For survivors of Tennessee church shooting, healing will take time and patience

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Disfellowshipped decades ago, Pat Boone insists he ‘never left’ Church of Christ

By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Pat who? As Pat Boone stepped to the microphone at the recent Religion News Association national conference, not everybody recognized him. “I know who you are,” Boone, 83, said a fellow speaker told him. “I thought you died.” The crowd of religion news journalists gathered in Music City — myself included — laughed. Decades ago, Boone was a household name — a … Continue reading Disfellowshipped decades ago, Pat Boone insists he ‘never left’ Church of Christ

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Religion News Service

Catholic faith moves ‘Mattress Mack’ to shelter Harvey victims

Second Place, News Story, Associated Church Press By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service HOUSTON — Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale was kicking himself the morning after Hurricane Harvey made landfall, for closing his furniture stores while some people could still shop. Known to millions in America’s fourth-largest city because he stars in his own zany television commercials, McIngvale had closed all three of his Gallery … Continue reading Catholic faith moves ‘Mattress Mack’ to shelter Harvey victims

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Religion News Service

‘Father Stan’s Our Man’: Farm town honors hometown hero on path to sainthood

By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service OKARCHE, Okla. — Past the grain elevator and the bar famous for its fried chicken, Oklahoma Highway 3 leads to a century-old church where the Rev. Stanley Francis Rother served as an altar boy. A tall, white steeple atop the red-brick Holy Trinity Catholic Church — which opened in 1903, four years before Oklahoma became the 46th state — points … Continue reading ‘Father Stan’s Our Man’: Farm town honors hometown hero on path to sainthood

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Religion News Service

Amid partisan din, Sen. James Lankford walks a fine line: Pastor and politician

Second Place, Election Reporting, Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service OKLAHOMA CITY — As music plays softly and the Quail Springs Baptist Church prepares to sing “Jesus Is Tenderly Calling,” the guest speaker urges the crowd to bow and pray. “Here’s my very simple invitation,” the fill-in preacher tells the congregation. “There’s a God who loves you … Continue reading Amid partisan din, Sen. James Lankford walks a fine line: Pastor and politician

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Religion News Service

The pope praised him for providing for his parents; now Texas may want to deport them

By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service FORT WORTH, Texas — For the past two years, Mexican immigrant Ricardo Ortiz felt he had an advocate. Pope Francis, speaking via satellite, had praised Ortiz for “the way you gave everything you could as a boy, when you supported your family.” Now, the 21-year-old Ortiz — like numerous other Hispanics in Texas  — worries about how the Lone … Continue reading The pope praised him for providing for his parents; now Texas may want to deport them

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.