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
‘Do not let your spiritual life go while you’re helping other people in the name of Jesus,’ a Houston minister urges his congregation. First Place, In-depth Coverage, Associated Church Press By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle HOUSTON — This one was personal. When I traveled to New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coastto cover Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the churches I visited were new to me. The … Continue reading After Hurricane Harvey, hope for heroes and 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
‘The church was just so overwhelmingly warm and friendly,’ one evacuee says. ‘It just made me cry.’ First Place, In-depth Coverage, Associated Church Press By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle BELTON, Texas — In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, strangers became like family. Christians motivated by their love for Jesus opened their hearts — and their church buildings — to men, women and … Continue reading Faithful mobilize shelters for Harvey flooding victims
Addicts find love, hope — and Jesus — through ministries focused on recovery and discipleship. First Place, Theme Issue, Section or Series, Associated Church Press By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle SURFSIDE BEACH, S.C. — Opioids, meet Jesus. The drugs behind a crisis that President Donald Trump characterizes as a “national emergency” are no match for the savior of the world. That’s the … Continue reading South Carolina church battles opioid ‘emergency’
Second Place, Best Reporter portfolio, Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists Third Place, Diversity Reporting, Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle DETROIT — The boys — one black, one white — were 10 years old. Ive Edwards lived close to where the chaos started. Smoke filled his nostrils as arsonists set his hometown ablaze. Looters ran by his window. Army … Continue reading No more ‘us and them’: At 50th anniversary of Detroit riot, churches model unity
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
