Author: Bobby Ross Jr.

Bobby Ross Jr. is an award-winning journalist who has reported from all 50 states and 20 countries.
Christianity Today

Laying your church’s debt burden down

Laying your church’s debt burden down: The benefits — and drawbacks — of debt-reduction campaigns. On a Sunday morning, two days before the September 11 terrorist attacks, Edmond Church of Christ—my home congregation in a growing, affluent suburb north of Oklahoma City—made a long-awaited pilgrimage. A thousand fellow Christians and I marched from our old building, hidden behind trees in a quiet residential neighborhood, to … Continue reading Laying your church’s debt burden down

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Don’t just sit in those pews

Don’t just sit in those pews (reporting from Arlington, Texas): In the heart of Dallas-Fort Worth, a once-shrinking congregation finds revival as it serves its community.  ARLINGTON, Texas — It’s a Tuesday after school, and basketballs are flying at the North Davis Church of Christ family life center. Welcome to “The Rec,” as the banner outside declares. Two afternoons per week, the 600-member church opens its … Continue reading Don’t just sit in those pews

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Two people fell in love and shared a legacy of faith

Two people fell in love and shared a legacy of faith: Seeds of hard work, faith and commitment were planted long before Bob Ross and Judy Nanney married 50 years ago. There ain’t nothin’ not affected When two hearts get connected All that is, will be or ever was Every single choice we make Every breath we get to take Is all because two people fell … Continue reading Two people fell in love and shared a legacy of faith

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Religion Unplugged

July 2014: GetReligion

New York Times revisits abortion buffer zone ruling. Published July 1. ESPN features pastor who loves umpires, hates baseball. Published July 2. Big news report card: Hobby Lobby and contraceptives. Published July 3. Al Jazeera America: a solid piece of religion journalism? Published July 7. Babies and holy ghosts in Texas surrogate pregnancies story. Published July 8. Surprise! Same-sex couples produce happier kids, media say. … Continue reading July 2014: GetReligion

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Religion Unplugged

Big news report card: Grading abortion buffer zone coverage

Big news report card: Grading abortion buffer zone coverage GETRELIGION.ORG — As my GetReligion colleague Jim Davis highlighted this morning, the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday struck down a Massachusetts abortion buffer zone law. News junkie that I am, I enjoyed perusing today’s front pages and searching Google News to see how various news organizations handled the story. Using my media critic’s prerogative, I decided to grade some of the coverage. My major criteria: … Continue reading Big news report card: Grading abortion buffer zone coverage

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Family mission trips on the rise

Family mission trips on the rise (reporting from Logan, Utah): An Oklahoma group’s 1,200-mile journey to Utah exemplifies a growing trend of Christian parents introducing children to mission work. LOGAN, Utah — Asked what excited her about going on a mission trip to Utah, 5-year-old Lainey Foster smiled. “I might go swimming today or every day that I’m here,” the blond-haired cutie replied. “So that’s really good.” … Continue reading Family mission trips on the rise

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Christians battle human trafficking in the U.S.

Part of a special package tied to the abductions of 270 girls in Nigeria. Christians battle human trafficking in the U.S. (reporting from Dallas): Across the nation, individuals and ministries associated with Churches of Christ bring hope and freedom to victims.  DALLAS — Think of Katie Pedigo as a modern-day abolitionist. A Church of Christ preacher’s daughter who grew up to become an attorney, Pedigo wages a daily battle … Continue reading Christians battle human trafficking in the U.S.

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

From modern-day slave to slave for Christ

Part of a special package tied to the abductions of 270 girls in Nigeria. From modern-day slave to slave for Christ: Chong Kim escaped captivity and became a crusader against human trafficking.  Chong Kim had a secret. She was pregnant, but that wasn’t her secret. Everybody knew about the baby. Her unborn daughter was what brought her to a Christian maternity home in West Texas. She had worked … Continue reading From modern-day slave to slave for Christ

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Religion Unplugged

June 2014: GetReligion

Building religion IQ in reporters? We say, ‘Amen!’ Published June 3. Church to boycott Redskins? Not enough to fill a stadium. Published June 5. We don’t need no religion education, or do we? Published June 5. United (for now) Methodists and the same-sex debate. Published June 8. #SBC14: Race, sex and Muslims make Baptist headlines. Published June 10. Ghosts after Seattle Pacific shooting? Not in … Continue reading June 2014: GetReligion

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.