Sisters in Christ brought together by massive California wildfire. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle VENTURA, Calif. — For the last few years, DeLoyce “Dee” Hathway and Crystal Rabe worshiped together each Sunday. However, the Ventura Church of Christ members never really connected. In a weekly assembly filled with 150 souls, Hathway, 88, sat toward the back. Before Edward William Hathway, Dee’s husband … Continue reading Blessings in the ashes
By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service OKLAHOMA CITY — A red carpet. Friendly paparazzi. Limousine rides. All of the above greeted the special-needs teens and adults — most clad in tuxedos and fancy dresses, many using wheelchairs — who showed up at the Putnam City Baptist Church on the Friday night (Feb. 9) before Valentine’s Day. Inside the Southern Baptist church’s sanctuary, … Continue reading Glitz and a surprise guest at prom for special-needs teens and adults
Loved ones struggle to understand why 17-year-old opened fire during traffic stop. First Place, News Story, Associated Church Press By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A thin sheet of snow and ice covered the ground outside the Levy Church of Christ this week as hundreds of mourners filed into the auditorium. Charles Smith Jr. — “C.J.” to friends and relatives — … Continue reading Tears and fears: Church teen killed by Arkansas police
By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, Texas — To hear Bruce Bachman tell it, he’s just a guy with a bell, a red apron and a heart to serve who gives a little of his time during the holiday season. He’s just one of the thousands of volunteer bell ringers who keep alive a 127-year tradition that the Salvation … Continue reading The guy in the red apron: How a Salvation Army bell ringer brings heart to the job
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
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
‘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
‘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
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
