Christian Chronicle, Religion Unplugged, The Ross News

Top 24 of 2024: Bobby Ross Jr.’s best stories of the year

By Bobby Ross Jr.

OKLAHOMA CITY — I love what I do.

I get paid to travel and tell newsworthy stories.

2024 marked my 35th year in full-time journalism, and I thank God for allowing me to live my dream.

A major career highlight: In April, I was honored to receive the Religion News Association’s Supple Award for Feature Writing at its 75th anniversary convention in Pittsburgh.

Just for fun, I picked 24 of my best stories, features and columns of ’24 (listed mostly in chronological order):

1. No phones allowed, but machetes OK: Global program aims to build teens’ faith (reporting from Port Vila, Vanuatu) with related story from Brisbane, Australia

2. How covering Pope John Paul II’s 1999 visit to St. Louis changed my journalism career (column from Oklahoma City) with related column on my reporting travels

3. ACU rebuffs the left and the right in reaffirming its sexual stewardship policy (reporting from Abilene, Texas) with related column

4. ‘Momma, I can see Jesus’ (reporting from Cookeville, Tenn.)

5. Christians cheer the Chiefs, fight the violence (reporting from Kansas City, Mo.)

6. Trusting God in the fire (reporting from Canadian, Texas) with related story and column

7. ‘How can we bless these churches?’ (reporting from York, Neb.)

8. ‘Midland Christian Five’ say wrongful arrests devastated their lives and careers with related Q&A explainer

9. ‘Overhyped’ Christian nationalism label draws political backlash

10. Symbol of hope: Church’s stained-glass windows survive monster tornado (reporting from Sulphur, Okla.) with related story

11. ‘A great, joyful sense of closure’ (reporting from Memphis, Tenn.) with related story

12. ‘Divine power’ saves minister (reporting from Roseville, Minn.) with related column and story from Minneapolis

13. Bread and Bibles lead souls to Jesus (reporting from Fort Worth, Texas) with related story from Nashville, Tenn.

14. Culture warrior, MAGA champion, Church of Christ member: Who is Ryan Walters? (reporting from Oklahoma City) with related column and story from Greenville, S.C.

15. ‘O Why Not Tonight?’ (column from Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) with related column

16. ‘God, I need help’: 9/11 military heroes with PTSD still fighting a war at home

17. These Christians not afraid to address sexual trauma (reporting from Lubbock, Texas)

18. Don’t skip the Pleasant-ries (column from Ann Arbor, Mich.)

19. ‘God has placed us together for a purpose’ (reporting from Seabrook, N.H., and Kittery, Maine) with related column from Manchester, N.H.

20. Faith and baseball: Why these fans feel a special connection to MLB’s playoff teams with related column from Arlington, Texas and book review from Los Angeles

21. A pro-life — and pro-love — ministry (reporting from Sterling Heights, Mich.) with related story from Carson, Calif. and column

22. A little farm, a giant legacy (reporting from Bellvue, Colo.)

23. Will there be hound dogs in heaven? Beliefs differ on furry friends in eternity (column from Oklahoma City)

24. Ukrainian refugees prepare a special Thanksgiving feast to show gratitude to Texas Christians (reporting from Houston) with related column

Thank you for joining me on my year-end trip down memory lane. Please keep all the excellent feedback and ideas coming in 2025.

— Bobby