Tag: rural ministry

Christian Chronicle

Building up the kingdom — one small, rural church at a time

Some congregations are between ministers. Others can’t afford one. This program aims to help. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle CASTLE ROCK, Colo. — Matthew Morine’s friends in ministry keep quitting. The job, tough in normal times, became insurmountable during the pandemic. “It’s not because they dislike ministry or they’re not wanting to serve the church,” said Morine, pulpit minister for the Castle Rock Church of Christ in … Continue reading Building up the kingdom — one small, rural church at a time

Bobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Sparse numbers, strong faith in North Dakota

Small, isolated congregations face challenges in the state with the nation’s fewest Churches of Christ. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle BISMARCK, N.D. — Talk about a Sunday commute. For 15 years, Rod and Rosalyn Genrich drove 100 miles each way to worship with the Minot Church of Christ. The Genriches, who farmed 1,900 acres of wheat in the small North Dakota community … Continue reading Sparse numbers, strong faith in North Dakota

Bobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Inside the ‘Duck Dynasty’ church

For home congregation, Robertson family’s celebrity a blessing and a challenge. First Place, Feature Article, Associated Church Press Honorable mention (part of three-story portfolio), Magazine News Religion Reporting, Religion News Association By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle WEST MONROE, La. — Gasps of excitement wash over a crowded classroom at the White’s Ferry Road Church of Christ as Phil Robertson arrives for Sunday … Continue reading Inside the ‘Duck Dynasty’ church

Bobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Rich, in name and spirit, in rural Ohio

Rich, in name and spirit, in rural Ohio: Despite sacrifices, minister reaps a harvest of blessings with a 200-year-old congregation (reporting from Beallsville, Ohio). Page 1 lead. Third part of “Rural Redemption” series. BEALLSVILLE, Ohio — Just after 9 a.m. on a recent Sunday, the well-worn tires on Jeff Rich’s 2003 minivan crunch over a gravel road full of twists, hills and narrow lanes. Already … Continue reading Rich, in name and spirit, in rural Ohio

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Christian Chronicle

Rural Redemption: Iowa church refuses to die

Iowa church refuses to die: 156-year-old congregation epitomizes the challenges faced by many small, rural Churches of Christ (reporting from Montezuma, Iowa). Page 1 lead. First part of “Rural Redemption” series. Third Place (with Erik Tryggestad and David Chenault), Theme Issue, Section or Series, Associated Church Press By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle MONTEZUMA, Iowa — Snow coats the ground as Pauline Ell … Continue reading Rural Redemption: Iowa church refuses to die

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Christian Chronicle

Pass the syrup, but religion gets sticky in Vermont

Pass the syrup, but religion gets sticky: Faithful persevere in secular Vermont (reporting from Springfield, Vt.). Page 1 lead. SPRINGFIELD, Vt. — Folks in the Green Mountain State like their economy syrupy sweet. The rural, thickly forested New England state produces 39 percent of the United States’ maple syrup. The state’s 626,000 residents are less sweet on religion: Vermont ranks as the nation’s most secular … Continue reading Pass the syrup, but religion gets sticky in Vermont

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Christian Chronicle

Faith, family and ducks: Behind the scenes of ‘Duck Dynasty’

Faith, family and ducks: For these reality TV stars, ‘holding hands with Hollywood’ presents a challenge as they endeavor to share Jesus (reporting from West Monroe, La.). Currents. WEST MONROE, La. — Hollywood, meet the real Robertsons. A&E’s hit reality series “Duck Dynasty” has made celebrities out of Duck Commander Phil Robertson, his wife Kay and their bearded, camo-clad sons Willie, Jase and Jeptha, not to mention “Uncle Si,” Phil’s younger brother. … Continue reading Faith, family and ducks: Behind the scenes of ‘Duck Dynasty’

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Christian Chronicle

Healing a wounded town

Healing a wounded town: After a string of suicides, a minister helps bring answers to a small Oregon community (reporting from Alsea, Ore.). Second Front. First Place, Feature Article, Associated Church Press Finalist (part of three-story portfolio), Magazine News Religion Reporting, Religion News Association By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ALSEA, Ore. – At the little white church off the two-lane blacktop, the front door … Continue reading Healing a wounded town

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Christian Chronicle

Singing, sweating and saving souls in West Virginia

Singing, sweating and saving souls in West Virginia (reporting from Parkersburg, W.Va.). Page 1 lead. PARKERSBURG, W.VA. – The heat was on. That’s what happens when you take 90-degree temperatures, on-fire-for-the-Lord church members and a 1950s-era high school field house with no air-conditioning — and put them all together. Hundreds of hand fans fluttered, volunteers passed out ice-cold bottled water and sweat-drenched Christians wiped their foreheads … Continue reading Singing, sweating and saving souls in West Virginia

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