Tag: natural disasters

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

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Christian Chronicle

Faithful mobilize shelters for Harvey flooding 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

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Morgan Freeman hears Katrina survivors’ ‘Story of God’

Morgan Freeman hears couple’s ‘Story of God’: Hurricane Katrina survivors share faith on National Geographic Channel series. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle God doesn’t play favorites. Charles Marsalis stresses that message at the Hollygrove Church of Christ, the New Orleans congregation he and his wife, Angela, planted in a high-crime neighborhood after Hurricane Katrina. “I’m just plain ol’ Charles,” the minister said. “I’m … Continue reading Morgan Freeman hears Katrina survivors’ ‘Story of God’

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

God in the rubble: Houses, lives lost in Texas twisters

‘This world is not our home,’ says family that lost house in Texas twister. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ROWLETT, Texas — Rain poured on Mike Patterson. The Texas church member stood by the cozy fireplace where he used to glance out the window and enjoy God’s creation. Now, crumbled bricks, broken glass and sticky yellow insulation surrounded him as he stared … Continue reading God in the rubble: Houses, lives lost in Texas twisters

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Ten years after Hurricane Katrina, survivors keep counting blessings

‘God allowed us to make it through’ (reporting from New Orleans): At the 10-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Christians who survived keep counting their blessings. NEW ORLEANS — Ten years after Hurricane Katrina waged war on the Gulf Coast, Christians in hard-hit New Orleans are looking back — and ahead. Frank J. Harden, an elder of the Louisa Street Church of Christ, recalls fleeing 260 … Continue reading Ten years after Hurricane Katrina, survivors keep counting blessings

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

In the Big Easy, despair meets hope

In the Big Easy, despair meets hope (reporting from New Orleans): In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, church planters see God at work in a ‘dark and difficult part of New Orleans.’ NEW ORLEANS — Charles and Angela Marsalis survived the flood that followed Hurricane Katrina by escaping to the balcony of their home congregation, the Carrollton Avenue Church of Christ. Later, the couple returned to Hollygrove … Continue reading In the Big Easy, despair meets hope

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

After the tornado, Oklahoma church sings God’s praises

First Place (with Erik Tryggestad, Ted Parks and Murray Evans), In-Depth Reporting, Associated Church Press By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle MOORE, Okla. — Tears. Hugs. Emotional recountings of survival and loss. In the wake of a disaster such as the May 20 tornado that devastated this Oklahoma City suburb, the casual hellos and handshakes of a typical Sunday give way to deeper, … Continue reading After the tornado, Oklahoma church sings God’s praises

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Christianity Today

How the ‘faith-based FEMA’ are helping Moore move on

How the ‘Faith-Based FEMA’ Are Helping Moore Move On As President Obama pledges recovery, Christian volunteers aid Oklahoma tornado victims based on what each denomination does best (reporting from Moore, Okla.). Christianity Today story published online May 26. MOORE, Okla. — At the edge of the disaster zone—just across the street from the decimated Moore Medical Center—teens and adults in cowboy hats cook smoked sausages … Continue reading How the ‘faith-based FEMA’ are helping Moore move on

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Christian Chronicle

Big storms, bigger hearts in Joplin, Mo.

By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle WEBB CITY, Mo. — The Joplin tornado’s path of destruction can be seen all along Range Line Road, where a Home Depot, Walmart and other businesses lie in ruins. Yellow “Caution” tape and shreds of wood flutter in the breeze amid bulldozers clearing debris and smashed vehicles abandoned after the May 22 twister that claimed 158 lives and … Continue reading Big storms, bigger hearts in Joplin, Mo.

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