In Canada, refugees find love and hope

For these Syrians, church members have become ‘a second family.’ First Place, Feature Article, Associated Church Press Second Place, Best Reporter portfolio, Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ST. CATHARINES, Ontario — Ten-year-old Mohammed and his sister Miriam, 6, shriek with excitement when they hear knocking at the front door. The pint-sized Syrian refugees are expecting Jori Warren, … Continue reading In Canada, refugees find love and hope

For kings and queens with special needs, a Night to Shine

Arkansas church rolls out the red carpet at prom-like event. Second Place, Best Reporter portfolio, Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle FORT SMITH, Ark. — Crowns on their heads, the kings and queens flash huge smiles as they emerge from a sleek black limousine. They wear fancy suits and formal dresses and seem to glide up the red … Continue reading For kings and queens with special needs, a Night to Shine

MLK Day reading: Black, white and Gray

Civil rights attorney who once challenged Lipscomb University in court receives the Christian university’s highest honor. First Place (part of three-story portfolio), Magazine News Religion Reporting, Religion News Association Second Place, News Story, Associated Church Press By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Forty-five years ago, civil rights attorney and preacher Fred Gray filed a lawsuit that exposed deep divides between … Continue reading MLK Day reading: Black, white and Gray

Young man with autism has a heart for homeless

California church member overcomes fears as he leads ministry that serves the needy. Second Place, Feature Article, Associated Church Press By Bobby Ross Jr.  | The Christian Chronicle CAMARILLO, Calif. — A few miles from the Camarillo Church of Christ, a man with a backpack and a bicycle squats at a busy intersection. Chris Kibbe, who describes himself as between jobs and homeless, holds a … Continue reading Young man with autism has a heart for homeless

In Orlando, a call for more openness, less fear

After gay nightclub massacre, showing love to LGBT community a focus at Christian conference. Second Place, In-Depth Reporting, Associated Church Press By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ORLANDO, Fla. — Sally Gary couldn’t come to Orlando and fail to visit the site of the gay nightclub massacre where 49 people died. The founder of CenterPeace, a Dallas-based ministry that provides support and resources … Continue reading In Orlando, a call for more openness, less fear

After a deadly week, a somber Sunday for Dallas churches

Christians look to God for comfort and guidance after a sniper kills five police officers. Third Place, In-Depth Reporting, Associated Church Press (part of a series of stories on police shootings, racial unrest and the church) By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle DALLAS — A young mother on her way into worship hugged a Dallas police officer providing parking lot security at the … Continue reading After a deadly week, a somber Sunday for Dallas churches

Finalists named for Religion Newswriters Association national awards — and I made the list

Congratulations to the 2016 RNA Award finalists! https://t.co/4mVb95I8bQ pic.twitter.com/LCUmJTbPSD — Religion Newswriters (@ReligionReport) June 6, 2016 By Bobby Ross Jr. The Religion Newswriters Association has announced the national finalists for its “Awards for Religion Reporting Excellence.” I am honored to make the list again this year. My portfolio in the Magazine News Religion Reporting category includes these stories from The Christian Chronicle: “The broken soul of … Continue reading Finalists named for Religion Newswriters Association national awards — and I made the list