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🍿 Question of ‘Eternity’: Which heaven is right for me? 🔌

Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” meets readers at the intersection of faith and news. Click to join nearly 10,000 subscribers who get this column delivered straight to their inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged You die and go to … well, it’s complicated. You wake up on a train. At the station, you follow the crowd. You connect with your afterlife … Continue reading 🍿 Question of ‘Eternity’: Which heaven is right for me? 🔌

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A dream for Christian higher education in Europe

Jerry and Zoobi Jones have big plans for an old convent school in France. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle LA CHAPELLE AU RIBOUL, France — When nuns listed a vacant Catholic girls’ school for sale in this sleepy French village in 2017, American Jerry Jones saw an opportunity to expand Christian influence and higher education in Europe. But his British wife, Zoobi Jones, gave … Continue reading A dream for Christian higher education in Europe

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Roadblocks and roller bags

Behind the scenes of a memorable reporting trip to France. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle CHARTRES, France — It’s 4:45 a.m. It’s still dark outside in this medieval French city, famous for its Gothic cathedral. In fact, I’m exploring the sidewalks around the cathedral right now. As I do so, I’m rolling a 50-pound suitcase and toting a lighter computer bag. Faith in France: Read all the … Continue reading Roadblocks and roller bags

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🏀 ‘Full Court Faith’: Former NBA team owner George Shinn opens up 🔌

Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” meets readers at the intersection of faith and news. Click to join nearly 10,000 subscribers who get this column delivered straight to their inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Like King David in the Bible, George Shinn declared his faith in God as he rose to prominence. A quarter-century ago, though, the millionaire businessman who brought the NBA’s original … Continue reading 🏀 ‘Full Court Faith’: Former NBA team owner George Shinn opens up 🔌

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‘Shabby chic’ French castle welcomes missionaries for rest and restoration

Ministry started by a grandmother combats burnout on the mission field. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle PARIS — Sherry Pogue bought a castle to serve the Lord. It’s a small castle, the American Christian emphasizes. In 2016, Pogue and her late husband, Alan, acquired the 6,000-square-foot Château Claire Fontaine — with four levels and 12 bedrooms — to launch the Restored & Renewed Ministry. Château is the … Continue reading ‘Shabby chic’ French castle welcomes missionaries for rest and restoration

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Former Mets star Darryl Strawberry thanks Trump for pardon during sermon at Tulsa church

By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Associated Press TULSA, Okla. — Former New York Mets great Darryl Strawberry praised Jesus and thanked President Donald Trump for pardoning his past tax evasion and drug charges as he preached Sunday at a Tulsa church. Jackson Lahmeyer, founder of Pastors for Trump, welcomed the eight-time All-Star to the pulpit of Sheridan Church, where more than 400 worshippers cheered when … Continue reading Former Mets star Darryl Strawberry thanks Trump for pardon during sermon at Tulsa church

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🍼 ‘In God’s timing’: Two adoptions, 31 years apart 🔌

Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” meets readers at the intersection of faith and news. Click to join nearly 10,000 subscribers who get this column delivered straight to their inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged In 1982, a 3-month-old girl named Rebecca became the 13th child adopted through Lifeline Children’s Services.  The Birmingham, Alabama, nonprofit — launched the previous year — grew … Continue reading 🍼 ‘In God’s timing’: Two adoptions, 31 years apart 🔌

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📕 He bought a book for 50 cents: It turned out to be a ‘crown jewel’ 🔌

Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” meets readers at the intersection of faith and news. Click to join nearly 10,000 subscribers who get this column delivered straight to their inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged OKLAHOMA CITY — In the early 1960s, Ron Bever paid 50 cents — roughly $5.34 in today’s dollars — for an old religious book at an estate sale. A rare … Continue reading 📕 He bought a book for 50 cents: It turned out to be a ‘crown jewel’ 🔌

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In secular France, Christians work to bring new life to old monastery

Missionary characterizes $1.9 million purchase as ‘a miraculous act of God.’ By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle MARSEILLE, France — At the northern edge of this seaside port city —  first settled by Greek sailors 2,600 years ago — stands the abandoned Betheline monastery. It’s just one of thousands of decaying religious structures scattered throughout France. In a society once dominated by Catholicism, people increasingly profess no faith affiliation at … Continue reading In secular France, Christians work to bring new life to old monastery