Brenda Jones, a Michigan Democrat, reflects on her short-lived tenure in Washington. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle When Brenda Jones took the oath of office for her brief tenure in the U.S. House, her first words related to her faith. “Mr. Speaker, let me start out by saying, ‘To God be the glory.’ I want to thank God for giving me this … Continue reading Five weeks in Congress: one Christian’s journey
Religion played a role as the 42-year-old Democrat pulled off one a major upset. By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service OKLAHOMA CITY — U.S. Rep.-elect Kendra Horn, D-Okla., knelt at the front of the sanctuary as the Rev. Joseph Alsay, rector of St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church, anointed her with chrism, a consecrated oil. “Kendra, may God bless you with enough … Continue reading How Kendra Horn turned Oklahoma’s 5th District blue for the first time in 44 years
The appointment of a Muslim doctor to a county’s party leadership has fractured the Republicans of Tarrant County. By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service FORT WORTH, Texas — Lisa Grimaldi Abdulkareem describes herself as a conservative Republican who believes in freedom and prosperity. “Less bureaucracy, lower taxes and stronger national security — it is simple for me,” said Abdulkareem, the Tarrant County … Continue reading Texas GOP dispute pits religious freedom against claims of ‘stealth jihad’
By Bobby Ross Jr. | For The Washington Post DALLAS — Midway through his 15-minute testimony at the National Rifle Association’s annual prayer breakfast Sunday, retired major league first baseman Adam LaRoche took off his sweater. Underneath, LaRoche — who hit 255 home runs in a 12-year career — sported a black T-shirt with a message that drew cheers from the firearms-friendly crowd of about 1,300. “Jesus … Continue reading ‘Jesus loves me and my guns’: Faith and firearms touted at the NRA’s prayer breakfast
“Mike has enemies because of his faith who may try to paint him in a poor light and make it difficult for him to reach the Secretary of State position,” the pastor of nominee Mike Pompeo wrote to his congregation. By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service WICHITA, Kan. — Under fire from Muslim, Jewish and human rights groups for a record of … Continue reading Pompeo’s Kansas church asks God to ‘give him strength’ in Senate confirmation process
By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service PLANO, Texas — The city council of heavily Republican Plano has voted to censure one of its members for an anti-Islam Facebook post — a post for which he has apologized but over which he refuses to resign. The 7-1 vote Sunday was a decisive repudiation of the kind of exclusionary rhetoric that President Trump himself … Continue reading Texas city council members censure colleague over anti-Islam Facebook post
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’
By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service DALLAS — Anyone who knows the Bible shouldn’t take issue with the idea that God has given President Trump authority to take out North Korea’s dictator, said Pastor Robert Jeffress, the Dallas megachurch leader who drew sharp rebukes for stating just that. Jeffress sat down for an interview with RNS after his sermon Sunday (Aug. 13), … Continue reading Robert Jeffress on God, Trump and North Korea: A pastor explains his politics
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
