Author: Bobby Ross Jr.

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

📰 Surprise! Spiritual revival is big news, from New York Times to Christianity Today 🔌

Thousands seek God at Asbury University: something old and something new. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Good morning, Weekend Plug-in readers! It’s the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This week’s roundup explores former President Jimmy Carter’s faith and Saddleback Church’s removal from the Southern Baptist Convention. But we start with a story Plug-in already covered last week. I explain why in 3, 2, 1 … Read the full … Continue reading 📰 Surprise! Spiritual revival is big news, from New York Times to Christianity Today 🔌

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Christian Chronicle

Bible conferences, Love’s Travel Stops and time on the road with Dad

Flying is faster, but an interstate journey can be full of adventure. HENDERSON, Tenn. — I love road trips. Except for all the driving. And the long days on the highway. And the would-be NASCAR stars weaving in and out of traffic. Seriously, I like cranking up my country music playlist and seeing America’s farms and high-rises through my car’s windows. When reporting for The Christian Chronicle, I usually fly. But for a … Continue reading Bible conferences, Love’s Travel Stops and time on the road with Dad

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Associated Press

$50M shrine to honor slain priest, first US Catholic martyr

By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Associated Press OKLAHOMA CITY — The birth of Stanley Francis Rother was by all accounts ordinary, aside from the weather. The Catholic farm boy came into the world during an Oklahoma dust storm. But in life — and in death — he was extraordinary. The 46-year-old priest, shot to death in Guatemala in 1981, became the first person born in … Continue reading $50M shrine to honor slain priest, first US Catholic martyr

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Religion Unplugged

🏈 100 million Super Bowl viewers expected to see Jesus — and two Christian quarterbacks 🔌

Faith will be a major theme at the Big Game. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged ‘He Gets Us’: Jesus is coming to the Super Bowl — to the commercials, that is. Two ads. Ninety seconds. A $20 million price tag. The Associated Press’ Holly Meyer, Religion News Service’s Bob Smietana and the Washington Times’ Mark Kellner delve into the pricey campaign and its backers. The bottom line, as AP explains: They … Continue reading 🏈 100 million Super Bowl viewers expected to see Jesus — and two Christian quarterbacks 🔌

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Christian Chronicle

Building up the kingdom — one small, rural church at a time

Some congregations are between ministers. Others can’t afford one. This program aims to help. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle CASTLE ROCK, Colo. — Matthew Morine’s friends in ministry keep quitting. The job, tough in normal times, became insurmountable during the pandemic. “It’s not because they dislike ministry or they’re not wanting to serve the church,” said Morine, pulpit minister for the Castle Rock Church of Christ in … Continue reading Building up the kingdom — one small, rural church at a time

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Religion Unplugged

💔 ‘Heavy hearts that can only be healed by the grace of God’ 🔌

Memphis police beating victim Tyre Nichols was ‘a beautiful soul.’ By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Tyre Nichols: In Memphis, Tenn., loved ones celebrated the 29-year-old police beating victim’s life — and called for reforms — Wednesday at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church. “We have come with heavy hearts that can only be healed by the grace of God, full transparency, accountability and comprehensive legislative reform,” the Rev. J. … Continue reading 💔 ‘Heavy hearts that can only be healed by the grace of God’ 🔌

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Christian Chronicle

For Christians in Memphis, Tyre Nichols’ death a cause for concern, action

Like the 29-year-old victim in the nation’s latest high-profile police brutality case, the five officers charged with murder are Black. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A picture of Tyre Nichols in his hospital bed greeted a recent assembly of the Coleman Avenue Church of Christ. The same big screen displayed photos of five Memphis police officers charged with murder in the 29-year-old Black man’s death. The … Continue reading For Christians in Memphis, Tyre Nichols’ death a cause for concern, action

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Religion Unplugged

🌎 On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, listening to the survivors while we can 🔌

It’s important to hear the stories and fight the hate. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged It’s Jan. 27, which is International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Today’s commemoration marks the 78th anniversary of the 1945 liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. The United Nations “urges every member state to honor the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and millions of other victims of Nazism.” Telling their stories: Toby Levy, now 89, was one … Continue reading 🌎 On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, listening to the survivors while we can 🔌

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Christian Chronicle

On a mission to fill empty pulpits

For John and Carla Moore, addressing the shortage of preachers in Churches of Christ is a priority. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle DENVER — Low pay and benefits. Overly demanding leaders. Unrealistic expectations. Full-time ministry in Churches of Christ doesn’t have the best reputation, contributing to a shortage of candidates to fill pulpit openings. Numerous current and former preachers across the U.S. cited the negative … Continue reading On a mission to fill empty pulpits

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