Author: Bobby Ross Jr.

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

What the Afghan government’s collapse means for Christians, Muslims, refugees

By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. On Oct. 19, 2001, as I drove to a prayer breakfast in the Oklahoma City suburb of Edmond, the radio crackled with news of U.S. special … Continue reading What the Afghan government’s collapse means for Christians, Muslims, refugees

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Christian Chronicle

Can America be saved? Yes, say these Christians

Domestic mission effort focuses on reaching lost souls in the U.S. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ROME, Ga. — Julie Trujillo has traveled to Honduras and Peru to help with medical missions. She has flown to Panama to evangelize. The 45-year-old Christian was looking for her next chance to share Jesus in Latin America when she learned about a door-knocking campaign in Rome — … Continue reading Can America be saved? Yes, say these Christians

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Religion Unplugged

To vax or not: Religious response is complicated

By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. Want to be smart? Avoid simple narratives. That’s especially true on the still-timely subject of religion and the COVID-19 vaccines. For evidence, check out these recent … Continue reading To vax or not: Religious response is complicated

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Christian Chronicle

Will Candice McQueen really be the first female president of a Church of Christ university?

Some scholars want to see Meta Chestnutt Sager, a pioneer Oklahoma educator, recognized. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle Candice McQueen made history this week as the first woman chosen to lead a university associated with Churches of Christ. Or did she? Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn., introduced the former Tennessee education commissioner as its president-elect Thursday. When she succeeds Randy Lowry on Sept. 7, McQueen, 47, … Continue reading Will Candice McQueen really be the first female president of a Church of Christ university?

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Religion Unplugged

What’s the difference between a ‘pool pit’ and a pulpit? Twitter has the answers

By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. I read the preacher’s words once — and then again — and tried to make sense of them. In a Florida TV station’s report on a … Continue reading What’s the difference between a ‘pool pit’ and a pulpit? Twitter has the answers

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Religion Unplugged

Just when worship gatherings seemed safe again, delta variant raises renewed concerns

By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. ORLANDO, Fla. — At the Equip Conference last weekend, most people saw no need to wear a mask. Fully vaccinated myself, I enjoyed the feeling of … Continue reading Just when worship gatherings seemed safe again, delta variant raises renewed concerns

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Christian Chronicle

The happiest place on earth?

In Disney World’s shadow, Equip Conference brings together pandemic-weary Churches of Christ. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ORLANDO, Fla. — Mickey Mouse may be the big draw for millions of tourists who flock to Central Florida each year. But for the roughly 1,000 Christians meeting at an Orlando hotel this weekend, the chance — at long last — to sing, pray and mingle with fellow believers beats … Continue reading The happiest place on earth?

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Religion Unplugged

Pastors and plagiarism: Why an old story is making timely new headlines

By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. Two decades ago, while serving as religion editor for The Oklahoman, I investigated allegations of plagiarism and faked endorsements by a prominent Baptist pastor who had … Continue reading Pastors and plagiarism: Why an old story is making timely new headlines

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Religion Unplugged

‘As a rabbi, you deal with grief. But not like this’: Condo disaster rocks Jewish community

By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. Back in 1995, I covered the bombing of the Oklahoma City federal building for The Oklahoman. To many of us in Oklahoma, images of the partially … Continue reading ‘As a rabbi, you deal with grief. But not like this’: Condo disaster rocks Jewish community

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