Texas woman gave her life to Christ, owned up to a slaying — and got a life sentence. Second Place, Best Reporter portfolio, Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle GATESVILLE, Texas — Lucinda Wilson might have gotten away with murder. Except that she became a Christian and confessed to her crime. Now 48, Wilson has served 20-plus years … Continue reading A baptism, then a murder confession
My Christian Chronicle colleague Chellie Ison reports: CHICAGO — For the third year in a row, The Christian Chronicle has earned top honors in the “Best of the Christian Press” contest, sponsored by the Associated Church Press. The Chronicle was awarded the first-place “Award of Excellence” in the prestigious “Best in Class” category for national and international newspapers. “The Christian Chronicle is consistently well planned, written, … Continue reading For third year in a row, Christian Chronicle named top newspaper by Associated Church Press
My stories on Donald Trump and other Republican candidates campaigning in Oklahoma City last year earned a first-place award for election reporting. I received the honor in the Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists’ 2017 contest. The winning package included the main story “In the GOP primaries, do politics Trump values and character?” along with a column “GOP presidential politics, professional wrestling style” and a related story “Elephant in the pews: Is the … Continue reading Trump coverage wins first-place SPJ award for election reporting
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
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
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
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
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
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
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 