Author: Bobby Ross Jr.

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

With 330 million downloads, top Bible app celebrates 10 years

By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service EDMOND, Okla. — A high-tech Bible in your pocket? In 2018, it’s a reality for hundreds of millions of smartphone users around the world. But a decade ago, when leaders of Oklahoma-based Life Church developed the popular YouVersion app, the concept was new. “We just thought, ‘What if the Bible could be among the very first … Continue reading With 330 million downloads, top Bible app celebrates 10 years

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Christian Chronicle

A new day for Puerto Rico

As hurricane-battered U.S. territory rebuilds, a Kentucky church sends help and encouragement. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ARECIBO, Puerto Rico — Punishing, back-to-back hurricanes wrecked this U.S. territory nearly a year ago, sweeping away homes, decimating crops, knocking out electrical systems and ravaging families. But Hurricanes Irma and Maria failed to kill the spirits of those in this poor, coastal community who lived through … Continue reading A new day for Puerto Rico

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Religion Unplugged

This Catholic journalist has witnessed 400-plus executions but won’t say if he approves

By Bobby Ross Jr. | GetReligion

It’s almost incomprehensible: Associated Press journalist Michael Graczyk has served as a media witness for more than 400 executions.

When I worked in AP’s Dallas bureau from 2003 to 2005, Graczyk was a Houston-based colleague of mine — and a great guy.

Graczyk, 68, is making headlines this week because of his retirement after 46 years with the news service.

The Dallas Morning News featured the veteran newsman on today’s front page. The Washington Post had a story on him Tuesday. And AP got the scoop on Graczyk’s plans. No surprise there, right?

All of the interviews, of course, are fascinating. And all paint a portrait of an accurate, fair-minded journalist: In hundreds of cases, Graczyk has made it a point to interview condemned inmates who were willing. But not only that, he also has given victims’ relatives an opportunity to speak, if they so desired.

Here’s a journalist who epitomizes the best of his profession.

Read the full column.

• • •

All of my GetReligion columns (August 2018):

Continue reading “This Catholic journalist has witnessed 400-plus executions but won’t say if he approves”

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Christian Chronicle

Running away from religion

In Montreal’s secular culture, many native Canadians see no need for faith. Immigrants ‘are readier to hear about God,’ minister Roger Saumur says. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle MONTREAL — Montreal’s heart has grown cold to the Gospel. The largest French-speaking city in North America can be a lonely place to be a Christian. “Our society, it’s secular,” said Horald Shabanaj, an Albanian … Continue reading Running away from religion

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Christian Chronicle

Campbellites, meet the Campbells: Utah conference mixes sights, food, dialogue

At Brigham Young University, diverse panel discusses media coverage of religion — and what to do if a reporter calls. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle PROVO, Utah — This is definitely not Church of Christ country. Utah boasts fewer than 1,100 adherents of Churches of Christ — to go along with, oh, 2 million or so Mormons. Suffice it to say that my wife, Tamie, and I were outnumbered during … Continue reading Campbellites, meet the Campbells: Utah conference mixes sights, food, dialogue

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Christianity Today

Gifts of property: Help donors get it right

Three examples demonstrate how to substantiate donations of land and buildings in accordance with tax law. This article is the first of a two-part series on substantiating noncash gifts. Part two, which will appear in the September issue, will focus on the special rules related to donations of noncash “personal property” — such as clothing, cars, boats, household items and stock. By Bobby Ross Jr. … Continue reading Gifts of property: Help donors get it right

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Christian Chronicle

Fifty years after historic meeting, race still divides Churches of Christ

‘We still have two brotherhoods,’ says longtime minister who helped organize 1968 conference. Third Place, Theme Issue, Section or Series, Associated Church Press By Bobby Ross Jr. and Hamil R. Harris| The Christian Chronicle In the summer of tumultuous 1968, more than 40 prominent black and white ministers gathered to discuss ways to improve race relations in Churches of Christ. The two-day national meeting — held … Continue reading Fifty years after historic meeting, race still divides Churches of Christ

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Religion Unplugged

U.S. mission groups stranded by Haiti unrest, and CNN — to its credit — reports on it

By Bobby Ross Jr. | GetReligion

Summer is prime time for faith-based mission trips.

Many U.S. church groups — often including teens and college students — travel all the world this time of year.

I just returned from a Christian Chronicle reporting trip to Puerto Rico, where I followed a Kentucky congregation helping with Hurricane Maria relief work. While there, I noticed the news about unrest in Haiti, a country I visited just a few months ago to report on water well drilling.

Just weeks ago, I reported on political violence prompting the cancellation of dozens of church mission trips to Nicaragua. Not so many years ago, of course, ongoing concerns over drug cartels began curtailing mission work in Mexico.

Not too often, though, do major news organizations cover the impact of the dangerous world on church mission trips, even though there’s frequently a compelling story there.

That’s why I was so pleased to see CNN tackle that angle amid the Haiti unrest:

Read the full column.

• • •

All of my GetReligion columns (July 2018):

Continue reading “U.S. mission groups stranded by Haiti unrest, and CNN — to its credit — reports on it”

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