Author: Bobby Ross Jr.

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

Holy imagination: Churches seek to reverse decline

Southern California seminars tackle ‘The Challenge of the Empty Church.’ By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle MISSION VIEJO, CALIF. — Spiritual earthquake, meet holy imagination. That’s one way to characterize the cultural and societal forces that brought together about 140 leaders representing 40-plus Churches of Christ on a recent weekend. From Orange County to the Inland Empire, ministers, elders and other concerned Christians flocked to back-to-back seminars … Continue reading Holy imagination: Churches seek to reverse decline

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Religion Unplugged

🇺🇸 ‘Good and faithful servant’: 7 religion takeaways from Jimmy Carter’s funeral 🔌

Editor’s note: Every Friday, â€œWeekend 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 When Jimmy Carter was inaugurated as America’s 39th president in January 1977, Amy Carter, his only daughter, was a 9-year-old elementary school student. So, coincidentally, was I. As a third … Continue reading 🇺🇸 ‘Good and faithful servant’: 7 religion takeaways from Jimmy Carter’s funeral 🔌

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Christian Chronicle

Mourning a tiny church’s closing

Although small in number, this Texas congregation’s legacy will live on. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle GREENWOOD, Texas â€” After 128 years of faithful service to the Lord, the end came suddenly for the Greenwood Church of Christ.  I’d worship at the little country church a few times a year, arriving a half hour or so early with my parents, Bob and Judy Ross. Mom would … Continue reading Mourning a tiny church’s closing

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

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Religion Unplugged

🏆 Weekend Plug-in year in review: The best religion journalism of 2024 🔌

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 Welcome to a special year-end edition of Weekend Plug-in! I asked some of the nation’s top religion journalists to share their … Continue reading 🏆 Weekend Plug-in year in review: The best religion journalism of 2024 🔌

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Religion Unplugged

🚔 Family, faith and a finale: Why fans loved the TV series ‘Blue Bloods’ 🔌

Editor’s note: Every Friday, â€œWeekend 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 For the popular CBS drama “Blue Bloods,” the “End of Tour” — as the final episode is dubbed — promises an emotional farewell. After 14 seasons and nearly 300 episodes, … Continue reading 🚔 Family, faith and a finale: Why fans loved the TV series ‘Blue Bloods’ 🔌

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Christian Chronicle

In presidential election, many Christian voters split along racial lines

At a predominantly Black church in Southern California, Donald Trump’s win sparks discussion and reflection. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle CARSON, Calif. — President-elect Donald Trump doesn’t have many fans, if any, at the Metropolitan Church of Christ in this urban community south of Los Angeles. No one interviewed at the predominantly Black congregation on a recent Lord’s Day voted for the Republican candidate. That’s not … Continue reading In presidential election, many Christian voters split along racial lines

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Christian Chronicle

⚖️ Transgender rights debate moves from the voting booth to SCOTUS 🔌

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 Transgender rights emerged as a key factor in the 2024 race for the White House. President-elect Donald Trump successfully used Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2019 support for … Continue reading ⚖️ Transgender rights debate moves from the voting booth to SCOTUS 🔌

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Christian Chronicle

Ukrainian refugees prepare a special Thanksgiving feast to show gratitude to Texas Christians

A Houston church’s thriving outreach to families fleeing the war inspires a heartfelt holiday gesture. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle HOUSTON â€”A year ago, Memorial Church of Christ volunteers served Ukrainian refugee families a traditional Thanksgiving meal from Pappas Bar-B-Q, a popular Houston restaurant chain. But this November, the newcomers to Texas — still adapting and learning a new language after fleeing Russia’s 1,000-day war on their homeland … Continue reading Ukrainian refugees prepare a special Thanksgiving feast to show gratitude to Texas Christians

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