Category: Christian Chronicle

Associated Press, Christian Chronicle, Religion Unplugged, The Ross News

2025 year in review: Bobby Ross Jr.’s most memorable stories and columns

By Bobby Ross Jr. OKLAHOMA CITY — In 2025, I celebrated my 35th anniversary in full-time journalism. The best part: I still love what I do. I serve as editor-in-chief of The Christian Chronicle and write the Weekend Plug-in column for Religion Unplugged. Besides my regular work, I freelanced in 2025 for The Associated Press and the Washington Post. This fall I flew 5,000 miles to … Continue reading 2025 year in review: Bobby Ross Jr.’s most memorable stories and columns

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

🍿 Question of ‘Eternity’: Which heaven is right for me? 🔌

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 You die and go to … well, it’s complicated. You wake up on a train. At the station, you follow the crowd. You connect with your afterlife … Continue reading 🍿 Question of ‘Eternity’: Which heaven is right for me? 🔌

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

A dream for Christian higher education in Europe

Jerry and Zoobi Jones have big plans for an old convent school in France. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle LA CHAPELLE AU RIBOUL, France — When nuns listed a vacant Catholic girls’ school for sale in this sleepy French village in 2017, American Jerry Jones saw an opportunity to expand Christian influence and higher education in Europe. But his British wife, Zoobi Jones, gave … Continue reading A dream for Christian higher education in Europe

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Roadblocks and roller bags

Behind the scenes of a memorable reporting trip to France. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle CHARTRES, France — It’s 4:45 a.m. It’s still dark outside in this medieval French city, famous for its Gothic cathedral. In fact, I’m exploring the sidewalks around the cathedral right now. As I do so, I’m rolling a 50-pound suitcase and toting a lighter computer bag. Faith in France: Read all the … Continue reading Roadblocks and roller bags

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

‘Shabby chic’ French castle welcomes missionaries for rest and restoration

Ministry started by a grandmother combats burnout on the mission field. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle PARIS — Sherry Pogue bought a castle to serve the Lord. It’s a small castle, the American Christian emphasizes. In 2016, Pogue and her late husband, Alan, acquired the 6,000-square-foot Château Claire Fontaine — with four levels and 12 bedrooms — to launch the Restored & Renewed Ministry. Château is the … Continue reading ‘Shabby chic’ French castle welcomes missionaries for rest and restoration

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

In secular France, Christians work to bring new life to old monastery

Missionary characterizes $1.9 million purchase as ‘a miraculous act of God.’ By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle MARSEILLE, France — At the northern edge of this seaside port city —  first settled by Greek sailors 2,600 years ago — stands the abandoned Betheline monastery. It’s just one of thousands of decaying religious structures scattered throughout France. In a society once dominated by Catholicism, people increasingly profess no faith affiliation at … Continue reading In secular France, Christians work to bring new life to old monastery

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Bonjour! How an Algerian immigrant couple found their calling in France

Khaled and Djedjiga Hassani see God at work in the renovation of a dilapidated former monastery. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle MARSEILLE, France — A stained-glass chapel — a symbol of institutional religion — anchors one end of the Betheline. At the other end, friends and strangers alike find a “house church.”  That’s how missionary Craig Young describes the informal welcoming presence of Khaled and … Continue reading Bonjour! How an Algerian immigrant couple found their calling in France

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

144-year-old Idaho church survives and thrives

Pacific Northwest congregation celebrates its history while embracing renewed life. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle MIDVALE, Idaho — Sunflowers and knee-high yellow grass line U.S. Highway 95, the two-lane blacktop through this blink-and-miss-it farm town. Little green signs at each edge of Midvale —  known as Middle Valley until the post office adopted the shortened name in 1903 — give the population as 222. Amid … Continue reading 144-year-old Idaho church survives and thrives

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle, Religion Unplugged

🎬 ‘The Chosen’ films the Crucifixion: How it’ll be different from Mel Gibson’s ‘Passion’ 🔌

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 OKLAHOMA CITY — More than two decades ago, I covered the opening of Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ” movie for The Associated Press. I wrote … Continue reading 🎬 ‘The Chosen’ films the Crucifixion: How it’ll be different from Mel Gibson’s ‘Passion’ 🔌

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.