Tag: U.S. politics

Religion News Service

The pope praised him for providing for his parents; now Texas may want to deport them

By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service FORT WORTH, Texas — For the past two years, Mexican immigrant Ricardo Ortiz felt he had an advocate. Pope Francis, speaking via satellite, had praised Ortiz for “the way you gave everything you could as a boy, when you supported your family.” Now, the 21-year-old Ortiz — like numerous other Hispanics in Texas  — worries about how the Lone … Continue reading The pope praised him for providing for his parents; now Texas may want to deport them

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle, The Ross News

Trump coverage wins first-place SPJ award for election reporting

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

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

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

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Religion News Service

In rural Canada, churches that once shunned one another open their hearts to Syrian refugees

By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service DAUPHIN, Manitoba (RNS) Ken Yakielashek, a Roman Catholic and semiretired farmer in the Canadian Prairies, says he remembers when Christians of varying denominations “wouldn’t talk to one another.” To Yakielashek, that makes what’s happened in Dauphin — a rural community 200 miles northwest of the provincial capital of Winnipeg — all the more remarkable. A year … Continue reading In rural Canada, churches that once shunned one another open their hearts to Syrian refugees

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
The Ross News

25 years ago, a young reporter (me) got a scoop on the president of the United States

Above: At a 1992 campaign rally, John Fletcher directs the Oklahoma Christian University band as the crowd welcomes President George H.W. Bush. (Photo provided by John Fletcher) By Bobby Ross Jr. | therossnews@gmail.com During the 1992 race for the White House, I was a young reporter — all of 24 years old — for the Edmond Evening Sun. In the caveman era before email, the Internet and … Continue reading 25 years ago, a young reporter (me) got a scoop on the president of the United States

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Driven by faith, Texas mom advocates for refugees

Reda Hicks, attorney, community activist and military wife, helps displaced families start over in U.S. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle HOUSTON — To Reda Hicks, refugees aren’t nameless faces on the news. They’re real women — with real stories of escaping war and persecution in places such as Iran, Iraq and Sudan. Hicks, a member of the Memorial Church of Christ in this … Continue reading Driven by faith, Texas mom advocates for refugees

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

‘Do we really trust God enough to love our neighbors?’

President Trump’s immigration orders spark passionate responses from Christians. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle “We Welcome Refugees,” declared the sign outside the Northlake Church of Christ in Tucker, Ga., on a recent Sunday. That message reflected the intense national debate over President Donald Trump’s order to bar — at least temporarily — refugees from seven countries deemed terrorism threats. Trump’s court-challenged travel … Continue reading ‘Do we really trust God enough to love our neighbors?’

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Build the wall? Bar refugees? Christians debate Trump’s orders

Faithful contemplate how to balance compassion for immigrants with concern for national security. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle An Iraqi refugee who serves as a Christian missionary in the heavily Arab community of Dearborn, Mich. Canadian church members who adopted a Syrian refugee family with six children. An Illinois minister who prays with loved ones of undocumented immigrants facing deportation. All voice strong opinions … Continue reading Build the wall? Bar refugees? Christians debate Trump’s orders

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

A holy cure for ‘post-election stress disorder’

A holy cure for ‘post-election stress disorder’: Leaders of Churches of Christ urge believers to put their hope in the ‘king of kings,’ not politicians. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle As Christians who voted for Republican Donald Trump see it, America avoided the worst-case scenario in a nasty election featuring two of the most distrusted, unpopular presidential candidates ever. Other people of faith … Continue reading A holy cure for ‘post-election stress disorder’

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.